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after downloading firefox update, i lost the feature to save my open tabs when i close firefox. why can't you program this feature into the update? Thank you,

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  • Last reply by Helper7677

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after downloading firefox update, i lost the feature to save my open tabs when i close firefox. why can't you program this feature into the update? Thank you,

after downloading firefox update, i lost the feature to save my open tabs when i close firefox. why can't you program this feature into the update? Thank you,

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One of the changes in Firefox 4: by default Firefox 4 does not display the "Save Tabs and Exit" warning message when closing multiple tabs, but it can be turned back on by changing some preferences.

  • Saving tabs was not removed from Firefox 4, but it works a bit differently.
  • By default, Firefox 4 will not ask to save tabs, but instead it will always save your tabs on exit unless you are in Private Browsing mode. You can restore them next time by:
    1. clicking Firefox button > History >"Restore Previous Session", or
    2. type about:home in the URL bar and press the Enter key, then press the "Restore Previous Session" button
    3. See: https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox%20does%20not%20ask%20to%20save%20tabs%20and%20windows%20on%20exit
  • Note: This was a decision by the developers. On this forum, we are all uncompensated volunteers here to help other users. The developes/employees of Mozilla/Firefox rarely, if ever visit here.

To display the "Save Tabs and Exit" message when closing multiple tabs, you can do the following:

  1. Type about:config in the URL/Location/Address bar and press the Enter key
  2. Accept the warning message (promise to be careful)
  3. The preferences page/list will open
  4. Filter = browser.tabs.warnOnClose
  5. If its value is set to false, double-click on it (in the lower panel) to toggle its value to true
  6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for these following 3 preferences also:
    • browser.warnOnQuit
    • browser.warnOnRestart
    • browser.showQuitWarning
  7. See:

Some things to check if tabs are not being saved:

  1. Browsing history must be saved
    • Firefox button: Firefox button > Options > Options > Privacy > [X] Remember my browsing history
    • Menu Bar: Tools > Options > Privacy > [X] Remember my browsing history
  2. Also make sure you do not clear "Browsing History" when using Clear Recent History or when closing Firefox
    • Using Clear Recent History
      • Firefox button: Firefox button > History >Clear Recent History
      • Menu Bar: Tools > Clear Recent History
    • When closing Firefox
  3. Make sure you are not in Private Browsing mode or in permanent Private Browsing mode:
  4. If you have theTab Mix Plus extension, then disable the built-in session restore.




You need to update the following. The Plugin version(s) shown below was/were submitted with your question and is/are out of date. You should update to avoid known security issues with the version(s) you have installed. Click on "More system info..." to the right of your question to see what was included with your question.

  • Shockwave Flash 10.2 r159
  • Next Generation Java Plug-in 1.6.0_24 for Mozilla browsers
  1. Check your plugin versions on either of the following links':
  2. Update the Flash plugin to the latest version.
    • Download and SAVE to your Desktop so you can find the installer later
    • If you do not have the current version, click on the "Player Download Center" link on the "Download and information" or "Download Manual installers" below
    • After download is complete, exit Firefox
    • Click on the installer you just downloaded and install
      • Windows 7 and Vista: may need to right-click the installer and choose "Run as Administrator"
    • Start Firefox and check your version again or test the installation by going back to the download link below
    • Download and information: http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/
      • Use Firefox to go to the above site to update the Firefox plugin (will also install plugin for most other browsers; except IE)
      • Use IE to go to the above site to update the IE ActiveX
    • Download Manual installers.
  3. Update the Java plugin to the latest version.