How can I change the new-tab default to the browser I like?
When I open Firefox in a new tab, I would like to have it open to a page of my choice. Right now, it seems there is no way to change that, but previous versions had this feature, and I put my computer to "google.com" for example, so I could be ready to search, whenever I pressed "command-T" (for new tab.) Are we stuck on Yahoo, now, or whatever Firefox chooses for new tabs, or is there a way to change this?
Chosen solution
The browser.newtab.url pref is no longer supported in Firefox (41+), so it is no longer possible to set the new tab page via a pref.
You can look at this extension to set the new tab page:
- New Tab Override: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/new-tab-override/
You can set the new tab URL via the Options/Preferences of the extension on the about:addons page.
You can look at this extension if you use the home page as the new tab page.
- New Tab Homepage: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/new-tab-homepage/
Classic Theme Restorer includes this feature as well. You find "New tab page url" in Tabs page.
You can use pages like these:
- the default new tab page with the tiles is about:newtab
- the default home page is about:home
- for a blank page use about:blank
- use the URL of a web page
See the about:about page for available about pages.
Read this answer in context 👍 7All Replies (3)
Chosen Solution
The browser.newtab.url pref is no longer supported in Firefox (41+), so it is no longer possible to set the new tab page via a pref.
You can look at this extension to set the new tab page:
- New Tab Override: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/new-tab-override/
You can set the new tab URL via the Options/Preferences of the extension on the about:addons page.
You can look at this extension if you use the home page as the new tab page.
- New Tab Homepage: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/new-tab-homepage/
Classic Theme Restorer includes this feature as well. You find "New tab page url" in Tabs page.
You can use pages like these:
- the default new tab page with the tiles is about:newtab
- the default home page is about:home
- for a blank page use about:blank
- use the URL of a web page
See the about:about page for available about pages.
This is a HUGE UX fail, why? Why the low signal to noise? Why take choice from the user. Why pocket? I was (I'm going to have to re-think) using the Firefox Developer Edition and loving it - until this attack of social spam keeps jumping up when I make a new tab.
If you have to fix something with a plugin that is the same as failing in the original program. Plugins add new functionality not return control to users.
Why? Why take this black box approach? I'm so disappointed in Mozilla.
Note that New Tab Override is compatible with Firefox 57+ and should continue working.