How to make the new Firefox look like the old Firefox

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One of the great things about Firefox is how customizable it is. In fact, you can even make it look like the old Firefox if you want. Do you miss the Add-ons bar, small icons or tabs on bottom? No problem. We'll show you how to get them back.

Note: This applies to the latest Firefox Release version which can be downloaded from mozilla.org/firefox.

Install the Classic Theme Restorer Add-on

Note: This add-on is not maintained by Mozilla.

  1. Open the Classic Theme Restorer Add-on page.
  2. Click the green Add to Firefox button to install it.
  3. Firefox will download the add-on and ask you to confirm that you want to install it.
  4. Click Restart Now to finish the installation. Your tabs will be saved and restored after the restart.

By default, you will get the orange Firefox menu in the upper-left corner and square tabs.

Use the customize screen to drag things around, turn on extra toolbars and use small icons

The Classic Theme Restorer gives you lots of extra options on the customize screen.

  1. Click the menu button The image "new fx menu" does not exist. and choose Customize.Right-click on the tab strip to bring up the menu and choose Customize.
    • A special tab will open which allows you to drag and drop items in or out of the menu and the toolbar.
      CTR Options
      • Buttons: Choose "Small" to get the classic small toolbar buttons.
      • Show/Hide Toolbars: From here you can re-enable the Add-ons bar or add an extra blank toolbar that you can customize.
      • Mode: Here you can choose to show text labels under the toolbar buttons or to have just text button (no icons).
      • Customize mode is more powerful. You can even move or remove the menu button or address bar if you wish.
    If you don't see the menu button or menu bar, right-click on the tab strip to bring up the menu and choose Customize.
  2. When you are done, click the green Exit Customize button.

For more about customizing Firefox, see Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars.

Restore tabs on bottom and other options

Open the Classic Theme Restorer settings panel.

  1. Click the menu button Fx89menuButton, click Add-ons and themes and select Extensions.
    If you don't see the menu button or menu bar, type about:addons in the address bar.
  2. Find the entry for Classic Theme Restorer and click the Options button next to it.
  3. In the Classic Theme Restorer options window, you can choose Tabs not on top in the first (Main) tab.
    Tabs on top option
  4. When you are done, click OK to close the window and save your changes.When you are done, close the window to save your changes.

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