Safari preferences will not open even in safe mode

Solved!

In going back to where I had overlooked the obvious, I used finder to search for Safari hoping to find wayward files. It turns out that the safari app had been duplicated outside the applications folder and that the safari dock link in the admin account pointed to the duplicated safari rather than the one in the app folder.

All of the other accounts had the dock link point back to the original application folder safari. Once I deleted the duplicate safari in the admin account and removed it from the dock, then restarted safari from the applications folder and added that back to the dock everything is working again.....

It was around the time of an update to either the OS or safari that this started, so that must have been the trigger for the problem.... The application had been duplicated long before that though (for reasons that I don't understand or remember...)

Thanks so much for all of the work helping me to figure this out, definitely not something that I think anyone else could have anticipated.....

Seemed reasonable and may have been installed around the time this started, but didn't work. I took the opportunity to remove two other programs that showed up on the report and are no longer used (i-drive and divx). I ran a new report and attached it. I appreciate the time you have taken on this! Any other thoughts?

Sorry that I left you hanging on this, especially with the prompt and very helpful replies. I had initial hope as there were 3 programs loading, iTunes helper, fitbit connect, and the i-drive program that I had previously deleted. Unfortunately this didn't work either. I'm frustrated as I'm usually fairly savvy and your advice (Eric Root) has been great. I'll chalk it up to a computer ghost and rebuild the admin account unless you (or anyone!) has any better advice. Thanks!

Thanks!

I wish! No it doesn’t. Never overlook the obvious though!!