This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

How to close instance of Firefox launched via File/New Window without killing all Firefox instances?

  • 2 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 11 views
  • Last reply by burtbick

more options

Prior to the latest Firefox update, running on Ubuntu if it makes a difference, I was able to select Close from the File menu (and if memory serves also by clicking the x on the last tab) to exit an instance of Firefox opened via File New Window.

With the 9.x update this no longer seems to be possible. If I choose file quite from an instance that was launched via New Window all Firefox instances go away!

This is annoying as I have to leave any instances that were launched.

I tried the Close Last Tab add on, and it lets me close the content of the last tab but still leaves the instance running with a blank tab.

Is there a configuration setting somewhere that I have missed to restore the previous mode of operation for exiting additional instances of Firefox without killing all of them?

Thanks, Burt

Prior to the latest Firefox update, running on Ubuntu if it makes a difference, I was able to select Close from the File menu (and if memory serves also by clicking the x on the last tab) to exit an instance of Firefox opened via File New Window. With the 9.x update this no longer seems to be possible. If I choose file quite from an instance that was launched via New Window all Firefox instances go away! This is annoying as I have to leave any instances that were launched. I tried the Close Last Tab add on, and it lets me close the content of the last tab but still leaves the instance running with a blank tab. Is there a configuration setting somewhere that I have missed to restore the previous mode of operation for exiting additional instances of Firefox without killing all of them? Thanks, Burt

Chosen solution

Each window should have its own Close button (big X in the right hand corner.) But this is dependent on the "Theme" you are using in Ubuntu. This big X chould be a Round Dot when you hover over the color changes. It could be on the Left site instead of the right. This Screenshot Shows the Close button the Left Side, still an X though.

CTRL+SHIFT+W will close the Active window. CTRL+W will close the Active Tab.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (2)

more options

Chosen Solution

Each window should have its own Close button (big X in the right hand corner.) But this is dependent on the "Theme" you are using in Ubuntu. This big X chould be a Round Dot when you hover over the color changes. It could be on the Left site instead of the right. This Screenshot Shows the Close button the Left Side, still an X though.

CTRL+SHIFT+W will close the Active window. CTRL+W will close the Active Tab.

Modified by iMarshmellow

more options

Thanks, at least that provides a way to close the instances. It was a little nicer before but Ctrl-Shift-W works.

I'm not using anything except the default theme. Haven't tried the Exit (x) control in the upper left under Ubuntu yet.

Regards, Burt