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Firefox isn't warning me when closing multiple tabs, and it should be, and the option to save the tabs is missing

  • 3 replies
  • 17 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by ideapadz580

Father Goose
Father Goose
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Hello all,

Not sure if this is something with Firefox 30, but this problem seems new.

Actually, first when I was closing the browser with multiple tabs open, it was warning me with the little popup, but it wasn't the "Do you want Firefox to save your tabs for the next time it starts?" It was just the warning about closing that says "You are about to x tabs. Are you sure you want to continues?"

So, that was problem #1 recently. I want the option to save and quit. But just in the last few days, it seems, it's not even showing that close warning now. With multiple tabs open, it just closes down the browser. Upon opening Firefox again, the tabs were restored, so at least that's one good thing, albeit bizarre.

I'm wondering how to make it go back to asking to "Save and Quit" or "Quit" or "Cancel" like it used to.

To answer some potential inquiries, here's some information that you may be wondering, which I've already double-checked: - the appropriate about:config settings are all set to true already, such as browser.tabs.warnOnClose and browser.showQuitWarning - in Tools > Options, "Warn me when closing multiple tabs" is checked, and "Show my windows and tabs from last time" is selected for when Firefox starts. Nothing has changed! - running in safe mode doesn't solve the issue; Firefox still just closes if I exit or hit the red X. - "Always use private browsing mode" is not checked. - I hadn't run a program like CCleaner in between sessions

I haven't changed anything, but this problem is happening! I hope someone can help me fix this and get back to the way it was, where accidentally closing Firefox could be avoided and restoring the previous session was possible.

Thanks!

Hello all, Not sure if this is something with Firefox 30, but this problem seems new. Actually, first when I was closing the browser with multiple tabs open, it was warning me with the little popup, but it wasn't the "Do you want Firefox to save your tabs for the next time it starts?" It was just the warning about closing that says "You are about to x tabs. Are you sure you want to continues?" So, that was problem #1 recently. I want the option to save and quit. But just in the last few days, it seems, it's not even showing that close warning now. With multiple tabs open, it just closes down the browser. Upon opening Firefox again, the tabs were restored, so at least that's one good thing, albeit bizarre. I'm wondering how to make it go back to asking to "Save and Quit" or "Quit" or "Cancel" like it used to. To answer some potential inquiries, here's some information that you may be wondering, which I've already double-checked: - the appropriate about:config settings are all set to true already, such as browser.tabs.warnOnClose and browser.showQuitWarning - in Tools > Options, "Warn me when closing multiple tabs" is checked, and "Show my windows and tabs from last time" is selected for when Firefox starts. Nothing has changed! - running in safe mode doesn't solve the issue; Firefox still just closes if I exit or hit the red X. - "Always use private browsing mode" is not checked. - I hadn't run a program like CCleaner in between sessions I haven't changed anything, but this problem is happening! I hope someone can help me fix this and get back to the way it was, where accidentally closing Firefox could be avoided and restoring the previous session was possible. Thanks!

Modified by Father Goose

Chosen solution

Well, with more testing and my buddy's help, what I've learned is that the "Save and Quit" tabs dialogue takes precedence over the warning for closing multiple tabs.

By having browser.showQuitWarning set to true, it will ask me to save and quit - but not if "Show my windows and tabs from last time" is selected for Firefox startup, which makes the prompt for save and quit (and close multiple tabs warning) redundant. It will just save for you upon quitting. And had I turned off that browser.showQuitWarning manually or by checking "Do not ask next time" on the save and quit dialogue, then the warning for closing multiple tabs would appear upon attempting to close multiple tabs, since I have that warn option set in my tabs settings.

It's one or the other, save and quit OR warning for closing multiple tabs. It would be nice though if there weren't a conflict between the close multiple tabs warning and the quit Firefox dialogue.

So, I hope this can help anyone else who may be confused or accidentally change options and potentially screw themselves over. After all, I may have sustained a self-inflicted wound in the settings.

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All Replies (3)

Father Goose
Father Goose Question owner
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Ok, thanks to a friend showing me https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/753984#answer-302390 , I realize what's causing the lack of a "Save and Quit" option.

Turns out that setting the "When firefox starts" to "Show my windows and tabs from last time" makes the save and quit option redundant,. If I want that warning and question to show up, i have to set that to "Show my homepage" or "Show a blank page"

But that still doesnt answer why it's not warning me on closing multiple tabs. I'd like to be warned so I don't accidentally close multiple tabs. So, any insight on why it's not warning would still be appreciated.

Father Goose
Father Goose Question owner
more options

Chosen Solution

Well, with more testing and my buddy's help, what I've learned is that the "Save and Quit" tabs dialogue takes precedence over the warning for closing multiple tabs.

By having browser.showQuitWarning set to true, it will ask me to save and quit - but not if "Show my windows and tabs from last time" is selected for Firefox startup, which makes the prompt for save and quit (and close multiple tabs warning) redundant. It will just save for you upon quitting. And had I turned off that browser.showQuitWarning manually or by checking "Do not ask next time" on the save and quit dialogue, then the warning for closing multiple tabs would appear upon attempting to close multiple tabs, since I have that warn option set in my tabs settings.

It's one or the other, save and quit OR warning for closing multiple tabs. It would be nice though if there weren't a conflict between the close multiple tabs warning and the quit Firefox dialogue.

So, I hope this can help anyone else who may be confused or accidentally change options and potentially screw themselves over. After all, I may have sustained a self-inflicted wound in the settings.

ideapadz580
ideapadz580
more options

It looks like you've discovered the confusing complexity of those close tabs options.

I think it's related to this old bug: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=419009#c142

Luckily it points to a workaround addon that works, at comment 142: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=419009#c142