I would like all links to open in the active tab, unless I command-click on the link.
I've searched for answers to this question, and I was able to adjust the values for preferences in about:config so that all links open in the active tab, but after doing so I am unable to command-click to open a link in a new tab. Is there any way to change certain preferences so that command-clicking will override the browser.link.open_newwindow preferences? Or maybe there's some other way around this?
This might seem like an odd request, but several sites I use (Tumblr especially) open nearly all links in a new tab by default, and it quickly gets out of hand. A "same-tab unless command-click" configuration would allow me to control where every link opens. Also, I would still like all links from external applications to load in a new tab.
I'm using Firefox 32.0 on Mac OS X 10.9.4.
Thanks
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All Replies (12)
I am not sure how this addon will affect the configuration that you have already changed but it may be helpful:
Do you have a middle mouse button? https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/fire.../click_modifiers/
Your request sounds similar to this old thread, except that you want a different setting for the third preference: How do I get when I click on a link it will not open in new tab? I want to open in the same tab where I clicked on that click.
(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config and press Enter. Click the button promising to be careful.
(2) In the filter box, type or paste link.o and pause while the list is filtered.
(3) Double click these to modify the values as desired:
(A) browser.link.open_newwindow
3 = divert new window to a new tab (default) (checked*) 2 = allow link to open a new window (unchecked*) 1 = force new window into same tab
* First checkbox in Options > Tabs
(B) browser.link.open_newwindow.restriction - for links in Firefox tabs
0 = apply the setting under (A) to ALL new windows (even script windows) 2 = apply the setting under (A) to normal windows, but NOT to script windows with features (default) 1 = override the setting under (A) and always use new windows
(C) browser.link.open_newwindow.override.external - for links in other programs
-1 = apply the setting under (A) to external links (default) 3 = open external links in a new tab in the last active window 2 = open external links in a new window 1 = open external links in the last active tab replacing the current page
Does that combination work?
I should add that Ctrl+click overrides this preference on Windows, but if Mac behaves differently on Command+click, it could be caused by a different preference.
If you have a mouse with a clickable scroll wheel that acts as a middle mouse button then you can try to use that button.
Is this with normal links or a problem with JavaScript links (window.open or onclick or event handlers)?
It might be a problem to override such JavaScript links as those would respond to status keys.
guigs2: Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately it wasn't able to override the about:config settings I'd already changed. It'd be perfect if it was able to modify the regular click as well as the others. And I don't have a middle mouse button, as I have a Macbook.
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jscher2000: Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately though, command-clicking no longer works at all after changing these preferences. It must be another preference, as you mentioned.
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cor-el : Thanks for the response. This occurs with all links. I don't expect to be able to edit the way javascript links are handled.
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Hi ukkonen, do either of these methods work with the changed preferences:
- clicking with middle mouse button (scroll wheel)
- right-click > Open Link in New Tab
I'm not sure those are applicable on Mac mice.
I don't have a middle mouse button / scroll wheel, but "open link in new tab" does still work.
I'm still looking for a solution to this. If anyone has any further suggestions, I'd appreciate them.
Thanks
Type about:preferences<Enter> in the address bar.
Select General. Under Tabs, check the settings. Are you having trouble with your settings being saved?
No problem with settings being saved. It's that the problem wasn't solved to begin with.