Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

How do I get middle-click back button to open in a background tab?

  • 7 replies
  • 23 have this problem
  • 11 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

more options

When I middle-click on the back button a new tab loads with the contents of the previous page. How can I get this tab to load in the background?

When I middle-click on the back button a new tab loads with the contents of the previous page. How can I get this tab to load in the background?

All Replies (7)

more options

The Tabs panel of the Options window is where you'll find all the settings related to how tabs work Select option in list as marked(When I open new link on tab switch to it immediately)

  When I open a link in a new tab, switch to it immediately: When you middle-click on a Web link (or hold down Ctrl while clicking with the left mouse button), the page will be opened in a new tab. That page will not be displayed and will load in a background tab. Check this option to load and display the page in a new foreground tab instead.

more options

Thanks Mohammed, but I already have that option set as you describe. It doesn't apply to middle-clicking the back button!

more options

Try to hold down the Shift key while middle-clicking. That should toggle the default setting as set in Preferences > Tabs.

more options

Thanks cor-el, that does work. But I would prefer to find a way that doesn't require I hold shift, if possible.

Modified by tom0

more options

Then you need to change the setting in Edit > Preferences > Tab:

  • [ ] "When I open a link in a new tab, switch to it immediately"

There are three prefs, accessible via the about:config page, to control the focus if you click a link.

  • browser.tabs.loadInBackground (normal links)
  • browser.tabs.loadDivertedInBackground (javascript)
  • browser.tabs.loadBookmarksInBackground (bookmarks and searchbar)

See also http://kb.mozillazine.org/about%3Aconfig_entries

more options

Thanks, but I know about those, and none of them actually effect behaviour of tabs with the back button.

Modified by tom0

more options

Check out MClickFocusTab from the Mozilla Add-ons Web Page. A quick click opens a new tab in background, but a long click opens and moves you to the new tab. There’s a lot of good stuff here.