We're calling on all EU-based Mozillians with iOS or iPadOS devices to help us monitor Apple’s new browser choice screens. Join the effort to hold Big Tech to account!

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

How do I restore my preferred layout?

  • 3 replies
  • 15 have this problem
  • 8 views
  • Last reply by WaltP

Jens Lyn IV
Jens Lyn IV
more options

I got the v29 update prompt today and found my layout utterly broken after the restart. This "most customisable ever" version prevents me from moving many UI elements that were previously fully customisable, and some other elements are indivisibly grouped together.

I tried the Classic Theme Restorer add-on, but this doesn't fully restore the ability to customise the interface, and I was unable to emulate my old layout.

A screenshot of my preferred layout may help to understand what I'm looking for: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/14150900215_f73c613720_o_d.png

If the UI had remained fully customisable, I might live with the wasted screen space and ugly graphics, but in its current state I can't stand it. The flexible interface was the main reason why I liked Firefox, and it looks like it's going away forever.

For now I've switched to the ESR channel, but it's only a matter of time before the new UI is introduced here, too...

I got the v29 update prompt today and found my layout utterly broken after the restart. This "most customisable ever" version prevents me from moving many UI elements that were previously fully customisable, and some other elements are indivisibly grouped together. I tried the Classic Theme Restorer add-on, but this doesn't fully restore the ability to customise the interface, and I was unable to emulate my old layout. A screenshot of my preferred layout may help to understand what I'm looking for: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/14150900215_f73c613720_o_d.png If the UI had remained fully customisable, I might live with the wasted screen space and ugly graphics, but in its current state I can't stand it. The flexible interface was the main reason why I liked Firefox, and it looks like it's going away forever. For now I've switched to the ESR channel, but it's only a matter of time before the new UI is introduced here, too...

Chosen solution

Jens_Lyn_IV wrote: 

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/14150900215_f73c613720_o_d.png
  1. Install Classic Theme Restorer and restart Firefox when prompted.
  2. Open the Add-ons Manager (Ctrl+Shift+A; Mac: Command+Shift+A), then the Extensions category.
  3. Next to Classic Theme Restorer, click the Options button.
  4. On the Main tab, make sure "Tabs in titlebar" is not checked, and that "Movable back-forward button" and "Hide urlbars stop & reload buttons" are checked. Close the options window when done.
  5. Right-click an empty area of the tab bar and choose Customize.
  6. If the title bar isn't currently showing, click the Title Bar button in the lower left to enable it.
  7. Click the Show / Hide Toolbars button and make sure "Menu Bar" is checked.
  8. Drag the Downloads, Back/Forward, Stop and Reload buttons onto the menu bar.
  9. Drag the address bar off the navigation toolbar and onto the menu bar.
  10. Drag all unwanted elements like the search bar off the navigation toolbar and onto the customization palette.
  11. Click the Exit Customize button in the lower right corner when done.
  12. Open the Add-ons Manager (Ctrl+Shift+A; Mac: Command+Shift+A), then the Extensions category.
  13. Next to Classic Theme Restorer, click the Options button.
  14. On the Main tab, check "Hide navigation toolbar".

Note: Classic Theme Restorer's buttons may remain dark when placed on the menu bar. If so, that's an issue you'd have to discuss with the author of the add-on.

Read this answer in context 👍 2

All Replies (3)

Gingerbread Man
Gingerbread Man
more options

Chosen Solution

Jens_Lyn_IV wrote: 

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/14150900215_f73c613720_o_d.png
  1. Install Classic Theme Restorer and restart Firefox when prompted.
  2. Open the Add-ons Manager (Ctrl+Shift+A; Mac: Command+Shift+A), then the Extensions category.
  3. Next to Classic Theme Restorer, click the Options button.
  4. On the Main tab, make sure "Tabs in titlebar" is not checked, and that "Movable back-forward button" and "Hide urlbars stop & reload buttons" are checked. Close the options window when done.
  5. Right-click an empty area of the tab bar and choose Customize.
  6. If the title bar isn't currently showing, click the Title Bar button in the lower left to enable it.
  7. Click the Show / Hide Toolbars button and make sure "Menu Bar" is checked.
  8. Drag the Downloads, Back/Forward, Stop and Reload buttons onto the menu bar.
  9. Drag the address bar off the navigation toolbar and onto the menu bar.
  10. Drag all unwanted elements like the search bar off the navigation toolbar and onto the customization palette.
  11. Click the Exit Customize button in the lower right corner when done.
  12. Open the Add-ons Manager (Ctrl+Shift+A; Mac: Command+Shift+A), then the Extensions category.
  13. Next to Classic Theme Restorer, click the Options button.
  14. On the Main tab, check "Hide navigation toolbar".

Note: Classic Theme Restorer's buttons may remain dark when placed on the menu bar. If so, that's an issue you'd have to discuss with the author of the add-on.

Jens Lyn IV
Jens Lyn IV Question owner
more options

Thank you for the detailed instructions, I've got it working the way I want now.

This really shouldn't require an extension, though...

WaltP
WaltP
more options

Most of the "improvements" since Ver 4 shouldn't need an extension.