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How to make Tools->Options open last used preference tab?

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When Firefox had the Tools->Options in a dialog, it always used to remember the last opened preferences tab and open that when Options was opened. For example, if I used Options->Security and closed the dialog, it would remember it and open to Options->Security when I opened Tools->Options the next time. But after the move to a new browser tab holding the preferences, it always opens the General options tab and does not remember the last used preferences tab. Is there a way to have it open the last used preferences tab (like Advanced or Privacy) without using a bookmark? I couldn't find any about:config options for this.

I hide the bookmark toolbar and other toolbars to maximize screen space. Plus, this looks like a feature removal and using bookmarks seems like a (dirty) workaround to me.

Thanks.

When Firefox had the Tools->Options in a dialog, it always used to remember the last opened preferences tab and open that when Options was opened. For example, if I used Options->Security and closed the dialog, it would remember it and open to Options->Security when I opened Tools->Options the next time. But after the move to a new browser tab holding the preferences, it always opens the General options tab and does not remember the last used preferences tab. Is there a way to have it open the last used preferences tab (like Advanced or Privacy) without using a bookmark? I couldn't find any about:config options for this. I hide the bookmark toolbar and other toolbars to maximize screen space. Plus, this looks like a feature removal and using bookmarks seems like a (dirty) workaround to me. Thanks.

Asịsa ahọpụtara

Sorry, there isn't a configuration option to specify which Options tab is displayed when Options is opened; it defaults to General every time. The "old behavior" was for when a separate "Window" was opened, and that did remember the previously viewed "tab".

Using a bookmark is what has been recommended without adding an extension; but that isn't applicable for your situation.

Take look at Classic Theme Restorer extensions. That has a feature to revert to the old style separate window for Options - it's in Options page/window in CTR Options. It also allows you to specify the height & width of that separate window. It does use the "styling" of in-content, and it does remember the last "tab" that was opened.

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All Replies (5)

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Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web Link} by holding down the <Shift>
(Mac=Options)
key, and then starting Firefox. A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh).

Is the problem still there?

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FredMcD said

Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web Link} by holding down the <Shift>
(Mac=Options)
key, and then starting Firefox. A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?

Sorry I don't understand what this has to do with Safe Mode (or any interference with extensions). I've seen this change ever since Firefox switched to a browser tab for the preferences. Can you please confirm, if you close the Tools->Options browser tab with a pref panel other than General in focus (say, Security or Advanced), and you open Tools->Options again, which pref tab do you see opened up - General or the one you closed the preferences with? The old behavior was to remember the pref panel that the user was on when the preferences browser tab was closed. The new behavior (since several versions) is to open the General tab of the preferences all the time, irrespective of which pref tab the user was on when the browser preferences tab was closed. Thanks.

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FWIW, I did try opening in Safe Mode. The same behavior persists in Safe Mode too.

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Asịsa Ahọpụtara

Sorry, there isn't a configuration option to specify which Options tab is displayed when Options is opened; it defaults to General every time. The "old behavior" was for when a separate "Window" was opened, and that did remember the previously viewed "tab".

Using a bookmark is what has been recommended without adding an extension; but that isn't applicable for your situation.

Take look at Classic Theme Restorer extensions. That has a feature to revert to the old style separate window for Options - it's in Options page/window in CTR Options. It also allows you to specify the height & width of that separate window. It does use the "styling" of in-content, and it does remember the last "tab" that was opened.

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Thanks for confirming that this has no direct solution in Firefox. I was afraid that could be the case. I'll check out the extension, though I'm not intent on going back to the classic (pre-Australis) interface just for this.