AFTER the latest update, is there a way to still have newtab=about:home? (NO tiles, and NOT a blank page!)
Just refreshed and now have the latest "tab" format in place... but I don't like it!
I get the whole "tile" concept, but can I please turn back to opening a NewTab directly to about:home? I'm a shortcut junkie, and having to open a new tab, then select a tile is going to be a pain.
And before you ask, YES, I have previously made the about:config changes manually, and YES, I did verify that it still shows the value for newtab = about:home.
Help!
Chosen solution
From Firefox 41, the pref browser.newtab.url doesn't work anymore.
This is for security reasons: too much add-ons and malware were using this feature to set their own new tab URL.
Now you have to use this add-on: New Tab Override
More details about this choice here: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1118285
Read this answer in context 👍 2All Replies (5)
Chosen Solution
From Firefox 41, the pref browser.newtab.url doesn't work anymore.
This is for security reasons: too much add-ons and malware were using this feature to set their own new tab URL.
Now you have to use this add-on: New Tab Override
More details about this choice here: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1118285
Modified by Banban
Absolutely perfect. Thank you!
I love the bug-thread commentary regarding the unfortunate timing of this change coinciding with the NewTab redesign... and yes, no matter how it is handled, conspiracy theories will abound...
HOWEVER - as a user I would REALLY have liked to find this answer along with the top 2 or 3 NewTab questions regarding Tiles / switching to a blank page / etc.
Still love Firefox (especially FOR the customizability), but I would think that enough users have a custom NewTab preference it would be relevant.
Thanks again Banban!
I am happy that helped you. Thanks for your feedback.
You are right, many users are interested in this feature. So this add-on could be mentioned in the official support article. (maybe it will?)
Fortunately, when Firefox 41 will be officially launched, a lot of people will need this add-on, its number of users will increase and it will have a good place at the Firefox Add-ons website.
So instead of fixing the problem firefox just disabled the function. Time to go back to Opera or investigate the other alteratives.
It would have been more useful require the user approve any change of value.
Hi temp90, Mozilla created a programming interface so that add-on authors can set the new tab page. There have been numerous new tab-related extensions over the years, and I'm sure there will be more choice in the future.
Anyway, I replied to your question here: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1085003