Latest couple Firefox versions slow/freeze whole system

Using 64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro with an automatically updated Firefox, currently version 40.0.2.

Start up Firefox and...nothing. Check Process Explorer and see Firefox is there. Try to start up TCPview and...nothing. Decide to go back to Process Explorer and kill off Firefox - before I get that far - SHAZAAM! - TCPview starts, Firefox responds with browser window - all as it should be.

This has been the behavior for awhile now, admittedly intermittently but none-the-less a relatively new bad behavior.

And the REAL problem is hinted at by that TCPview issue up above - Firefox is freezing the whole system solid after a moment or two (Process Explorer can be run within that moment and displays dynamic results, windows can be switched to, but new processes (minimal testing) apparently cannot be started in a timely manner).

There are other complaints around the 'Net noting this type of behavior.

So...anyone know the reason for such powerful failure? (this should slow Firefox itself, not the entire system)

Quick followup - this may be an Avast problem, not a Firefox problem, based off of searching for symptoms on the 'Net.

usually, firefox doesn't consume too much ram as compared to google chrome, try to disable your anti virus when you are browsing the internet.

Monafraj said:

try to disable your anti virus when you are browsing the internet.

Click to expand...

Though I always appreciate any responses, even ones 4 years after the original post, I am up to version 66+ of Firefox now and no longer have the problem (I also ditched Avast and Malwarebytes and went straight Defender for a dramatic increase in general processing speed).

But suggesting turning off antivirus while surfing the internet is sorta...wrong...ya know?

Thanks, though, for your response.