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The Thumbnails on new tabs are GONE, how do I get them back.

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The thumbnails on the New Tab page are missing - how to get them back?? I see article after are article how to turn this off, but after a new version was automatically loaded they are gone and I want them turned back on. How do I do this????? I have version 57.0 (64-bit)

Please, I have spent hours looking for this answer and the articles I read just lead me in a circle. I hate when I open my computer and things have changed, I wish you would not force me to load new version without restoring the feature I had previously.

The thumbnails on the New Tab page are missing - how to get them back?? I see article after are article how to turn this off, but after a new version was automatically loaded they are gone and I want them turned back on. How do I do this????? I have version 57.0 (64-bit) Please, I have spent hours looking for this answer and the articles I read just lead me in a circle. I hate when I open my computer and things have changed, I wish you would not force me to load new version without restoring the feature I had previously.

Chosen solution

What is on your new tab page now?

Firefox 57 has an "Activity Stream" design with multiple sections. Do you have that? Here's how you can switch it back to the earlier design:

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button promising to be careful or accepting the risk.

(2) In the search box above the list, type or paste newt and pause while the list is filtered

(3) Double-click the browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.enabled preference to switch the value from true to false

You will need to reload the new tab page (Ctrl+r) to see any change.


If you didn't have the Activity Stream, can you recognize the new tab page as being associated with an add-on? You can view, disable, and often remove extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return

In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions. Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. Any system extensions that Firefox installs on its own are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything suspicious? If in doubt, disable.

Any improvement?

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All Replies (4)

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Copy/paste about:preferences#general to the Address Bar then Enter please. Go to Tabs, tick the bottom one : Show tab previews in the Windows taskbar

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

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This did not work. I even reset my computer afterwards, and no success.

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Make sure you do not run Firefox in permanent Private Browsing mode (Always use Private Browsing mode; Never Remember History).

  • Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security -> Firefox will: "Use custom settings for history"
  • remove checkmark: [ ] "Always use Private Browsing mode"
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Chosen Solution

What is on your new tab page now?

Firefox 57 has an "Activity Stream" design with multiple sections. Do you have that? Here's how you can switch it back to the earlier design:

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button promising to be careful or accepting the risk.

(2) In the search box above the list, type or paste newt and pause while the list is filtered

(3) Double-click the browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.enabled preference to switch the value from true to false

You will need to reload the new tab page (Ctrl+r) to see any change.


If you didn't have the Activity Stream, can you recognize the new tab page as being associated with an add-on? You can view, disable, and often remove extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return

In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions. Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. Any system extensions that Firefox installs on its own are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything suspicious? If in doubt, disable.

Any improvement?