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[macOS,osx] Opening links from other application in "blank tab"

  • 4 tontu
  • 1 am na jafe-jafe bii
  • 38 views
  • i mujjee tontu mooy Wojtek

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Case:

  • have a window with single "blank tab"
  • open link from external application.

Expected result:

  • link is opened in this blank tab

Actual result:

  • link is opened in new tab.

I completely understand that links by default should be opened in new tab, but in case of having only blank tab this creates second tab and I have to close this blank tab (to the left). It's also not possible to have window without any tabs (at least on mac with multiple windows already open)

Similar thing happens with Container addon - in case of having blank tab as current tab (without history) it should make it a container (with selected profile) instead of opening new tab.

(also - please don't post silly replays with "updated your flash and other junk - those are not helpful)

Case: * have a window with single "blank tab" * open link from external application. Expected result: * link is opened in this blank tab Actual result: * link is opened in new tab. I completely understand that links by default should be opened in new tab, but in case of having only blank tab this creates second tab and I have to close this blank tab (to the left). It's also not possible to have window without any tabs (at least on mac with multiple windows already open) Similar thing happens with Container addon - in case of having blank tab as current tab (without history) it should make it a container (with selected profile) instead of opening new tab. (also - please don't post silly replays with "updated your flash and other junk - those are not helpful)

All Replies (4)

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The behavior of opening a link from an external application is controlled via this pref on the about:config page. To open an external link you need to set this pref to '1'. The default is '-1' and this means the same action as browser.link.open_newwindow.

  • browser.link.open_newwindow.override.external = 1

See this article from the values of this pref. See:

You can open the about:config page via the location/address bar. You can accept the warning and click "I accept the risk!" to continue.

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Hmm, this is not exactly what I asked for. I would like '1' *but* on condition that this is 'blank' page. Setting it to '1' will always replace current tab, whether I have some page there or not.

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Modifying this pref is the only way to get the link opening in the current tab and not in a new tab or new window. There is no way to make this only work in a blank tab. You can consider to always use a new window or new tab for external links if you do not want lose the current tab. You can always drag a tab from one window to the tab bar (plus button) in another window.

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Relevant issue in bugzilla: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=320989 (It's only 13y old)