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Firefox popup blocker exception list does not work for private windows

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Firefox 90.0.2 (64-bit) on Windows 10.

In about:preferences#privacy I have "Block pop-up windows" ticked and 16 websites set as exceptions.

This exception list works in non-private windows, but not in private ones - popups are blocked and I have to explicitly click "options" and then "show".

This bug was introduced a few releases ago - it used to work OK.

Firefox 90.0.2 (64-bit) on Windows 10. In about:preferences#privacy I have "Block pop-up windows" ticked and 16 websites set as exceptions. This exception list works in non-private windows, but not in private ones - popups are blocked and I have to explicitly click "options" and then "show". This bug was introduced a few releases ago - it used to work OK.

All Replies (4)

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Some add-ons are not active when using Private Windows.

Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control> (Mac=<Command>) <Shift> A)

In the Add-ons Manager, on the left, select Extensions. Find and select that add-on.

Locate and select Run in Private Windows.

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The problem is not related to an extension. If I disable the only extension I have active ("In Zoom") the problem still occurs.

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We have seen several reports during the past months of this issue with pop-up blocking in Private Browsing mode.


This is a deliberate decision that is the result of isolating normal mode and PB mode permissions. See:

See also:

  • bug 1701814 - Popup exceptions set via about:preferences do not apply to private browsing windows

You could disable this isolate feature, but that can lead to other unexpected issues.

  • bug 1692567 - Accessing a site in Private Browsing can cause that site's non-private session to be logged out in 24 hours

(please do not comment in bug reports
https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/page.cgi?id=etiquette.html
)

Modified by cor-el

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@cor-el Thanks for that.

So the only solution currently until the UI for https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1589608 is sorted out is to turn the popup blocker off globally (which works, and I have now done)?

This presumably isn't the desired outcome that https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1702290#c3 ("We consider being prompted again in private browsing a privacy feature.") had in mind.

Modified by yetanothermozillaaccounttoaddtothepreviousones