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Ability to start typing a new search immediatly after opening a new tab?

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In the past, I used to be able to click to open a new tab and immediately begin typing a new topic that I wanted to search. Whatever I was typing would simply replace whatever was currently in the URL bar. After one of the more recent updates, this is no longer the case. Now, whenever I click to open a new tab, there is only a split second before the URL loads in. Once the URL loads in, if I start typing, the text will appear in front of the current URL, rather than replacing it as it used to. This isn't too much of a problem when it happens once or twice, but when you are constantly looking up new things as I am, it can really slow you down.

In the past, I used to be able to click to open a new tab and immediately begin typing a new topic that I wanted to search. Whatever I was typing would simply replace whatever was currently in the URL bar. After one of the more recent updates, this is no longer the case. Now, whenever I click to open a new tab, there is only a split second before the URL loads in. Once the URL loads in, if I start typing, the text will appear in front of the current URL, rather than replacing it as it used to. This isn't too much of a problem when it happens once or twice, but when you are constantly looking up new things as I am, it can really slow you down.

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This is a limitation of the current add-on interfaces, that the current page address is neither hidden nor automatically selected for replacement. So neither your New Tab Homepage extension nor New Tab Override can do that; both have the same issue.

It is a known problem, and I think for now you have to choose which is more convenient for you: always using that web page as your new tab page, or getting a clear address bar and taking an extra step to load that web page when you actually want it.

As you probably know, you can load your home page either by clicking the "house" icon on the toolbar or by pressing Alt+Home on the keyboard.

You also can assign a bookmark keyword to the site. Here's how that works:

(1) Bookmark your home page somewhere

(2) Access the bookmark details by right-clicking it and choosing Properties (this works on the Bookmarks menu, Bookmarks Toolbar, or in the Sidebar).

(3) In the form, you'll a blank field for Keyword. Here you can enter a letter or two that correspond to the site's name or you could just put h (for Home). Then save your change.

To use the keyword, type h (or whatever you assigned) in the address bar and press Enter. It overrides all the other kinds of autocomplete behavior.

Example screenshot from another thread: