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Firefox updated and I prefer the previous design

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  • 2 have this problem
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  • Last reply by andyfallows

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I just updated Firefox and I am not a fan of the new look. The way my tabs are displayed in this new version unsettles me. I would very much like the previous look back. How do I get the old look back?

I just updated Firefox and I am not a fan of the new look. The way my tabs are displayed in this new version unsettles me. I would very much like the previous look back. How do I get the old look back?

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Not everyone is a fan of the more minimalist look. Some people want the tab connected to the toolbar instead of floating, others wish for more distinction between the background tabs (where they start and end). What do you find problematic about it?


I can give you a quick short-term workaround, but a more durable solution will require more work.

Temporary Fix

For testing purposes, there is a preference to switch the tab bar and address bar between new style and old style. This is not expected to continue in Firefox 90, but maybe you want to use it for now.

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button accepting the risk.

(2) In the search box in the page, type or paste browser.proton.enabled and pause while the list is filtered

(3) Double-click the preference to switch between true (new style) and false (old style)

Longer Term Community Workaround

This involves setting up a userChrome.css file. I have a rules builder that will get more features throughout the month. By the time the above preference is removed, it should be mature. If you want to take a sneak peek now:

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"others wish for more distinction between the background tabs (where they start and end)"

But who wouldn't want that? There is no benefit gained whatsoever from making the process of navigating between tabs harder! And it is harder for the brain to distinguish between discrete items (from which selections need to be made) when their boundaries are removed.

(I could be wrong, but these horrible new foggy "non-tabs" also seem to display less text... ??)

Anyway, it seems to be a stupid decision that attempts to put aesthetics ahead of usability/functionality and ends up making both worse.

Please give us real tabs back!