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Clicking on URL in address bar does not select the URL

  • 3 cavab
  • 25 have this problem
  • 5 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

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I have Firefox 6 recently installed with Ubuntu 11.04. When you click on the URL in the address bar to enter a new URL, the current URL does not select so that you can just type in the new URL. Instead, the cursor will mark a spot in the current URL and if you type in the new URL, it will only add the typed characters in the middle of the current URL, not replace the whole URL as it should. The only way that I can change websites is by swiping across the current URL to select it, then type in new URL. Or, right click and choose select all, then type in new URL. I have tried starting Firefox in safe mode and disabled add-ons, but still the same. I have not tried to remove Firefox and prefer not to if there is a simple fix. Thanks.

I have Firefox 6 recently installed with Ubuntu 11.04. When you click on the URL in the address bar to enter a new URL, the current URL does not select so that you can just type in the new URL. Instead, the cursor will mark a spot in the current URL and if you type in the new URL, it will only add the typed characters in the middle of the current URL, not replace the whole URL as it should. The only way that I can change websites is by swiping across the current URL to select it, then type in new URL. Or, right click and choose select all, then type in new URL. I have tried starting Firefox in safe mode and disabled add-ons, but still the same. I have not tried to remove Firefox and prefer not to if there is a simple fix. Thanks.

All Replies (3)

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You can set the pref browser.urlbar.clickSelectsAll to true on the about:config page.

You can also use a double-click:


To open the about:config page, type about:config in the location (address) bar and press the "Enter" key, just like you type the url of a website to open a website.
If you see a warning then you can confirm that you want to access that page.

  • Use the Filter bar at to top of the about:config page to locate a preference more easily.
  • Preferences that have been modified show as bold (user set).
  • Preferences can be reset to the default via the right-click context menu if they are user set
  • Preferences can be changed via the right-click context menu: Modify (String or Integer) or Toggle (Boolean)
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Thanks! Worked like a charm. I would have thought that SelectsAll would be the default setting. If so, how would it have been changed? This is the first time I have opened about:config.

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You're welcome

Using a double-click to select all is the default to make it easier to edit the URL in the location bar with a single click.