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Opening links from other applications opens them in new private windows

  • 2 replies
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  • Last reply by James101

James101
James101
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Previously, when I clicked on links I got from pidgin, they used to open in my current non private firefox window as a new tab. Then, when I upgraded automatically to Version 67.0 on May 21, 2019, suddenly all the links I click on in pidgin open in a new private window without log in information, cookies, etc. Firefox used to say I needed to create an account to move my bookmarks and stuff, which I ignored.

My question is, how do I get pidgin links to open in my current non private firefox window like it used to before Version 67.0? It seems opening any links outside of firefox is causing new private windows to open instead of using the existing window like it used to.

Previously, when I clicked on links I got from pidgin, they used to open in my current non private firefox window as a new tab. Then, when I upgraded automatically to Version 67.0 on May 21, 2019, suddenly all the links I click on in pidgin open in a new private window without log in information, cookies, etc. Firefox used to say I needed to create an account to move my bookmarks and stuff, which I ignored. My question is, how do I get pidgin links to open in my current non private firefox window like it used to before Version 67.0? It seems opening any links outside of firefox is causing new private windows to open instead of using the existing window like it used to.

Chosen solution

That is likely not a private window, but Firefox is opening the link in a second profile.

Firefox 67 and later can use a dedicated profile for each of the Firefox update channels and will lock the profile, so it can only be used by Firefox in a specific installation folder. For Release versions this profile would be a xxxxxxxx.default-release profile, profiles used in older Firefox versions usually used a xxxxxxxx.default profile (a refresh adds a time stamp).

There are currently some bugs that cause Firefox to open external links in the default-release profile instead of the profile with your personal data.

Try to start Firefox with the Profile Manager and select the xxxxxxxx,default profile as the default profile and make sure that select automatically has a checkmark.

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cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

That is likely not a private window, but Firefox is opening the link in a second profile.

Firefox 67 and later can use a dedicated profile for each of the Firefox update channels and will lock the profile, so it can only be used by Firefox in a specific installation folder. For Release versions this profile would be a xxxxxxxx.default-release profile, profiles used in older Firefox versions usually used a xxxxxxxx.default profile (a refresh adds a time stamp).

There are currently some bugs that cause Firefox to open external links in the default-release profile instead of the profile with your personal data.

Try to start Firefox with the Profile Manager and select the xxxxxxxx,default profile as the default profile and make sure that select automatically has a checkmark.

Modified by cor-el

James101
James101 Question owner
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Thank you, I was able to delete all other profiles, and firefox now opens external links like it used to. I am happy that this has returned to pre 67.0 for me.