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Firefox lately always opens a new window

  • 6 replies
  • 50 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by kellywsmith

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Whenever I click a link in firefox, whether I option-click it or right-click it and choose "Open in new Tab." Firefox lately always opens a new window, not a tab. For the life of me, I cannot get it to open a page in a new tab.

There was a time when I had one window open, and every time I would choose to create a new tab, it would create it in that window instead of the window I was currently in, but I have since closed that window, and now I cannot get a link to open in a new tab no matter what I do.

I have tried both selecting and deselecting "Open new windows in a new tab instead" In Firefox preferences, restarting Firefox in "Safe" mode, etc. to no avail.

How do I fix this?

Whenever I click a link in firefox, whether I option-click it or right-click it and choose "Open in new Tab." Firefox lately always opens a new window, not a tab. For the life of me, I cannot get it to open a page in a new tab. There was a time when I had one window open, and every time I would choose to create a new tab, it would create it in that window instead of the window I was currently in, but I have since closed that window, and now I cannot get a link to open in a new tab no matter what I do. I have tried both selecting and deselecting "Open new windows in a new tab instead" In Firefox preferences, restarting Firefox in "Safe" mode, etc. to no avail. How do I fix this?

All Replies (6)

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Have you checked the settings in Preferences > Tabs?

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Yes, and also tried restarting FF in Safe Mode.

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There are other settings in about:config that might be causing that effect.

browser.link.open_newwindow

3 = divert new window to a new tab (default) (checked*)
2 = allow link to open a new window (unchecked*)
1 = force new window into same tab

* First checkbox in Options > Tabs (on Mac, Preferences > Tabs)

browser.link.open_newwindow.restriction

0 = open_newwindow preference honored for all new windows
2 = open_newwindow preference honored for all new windows except script windows with features (default)
1 = open_newwindow preference ignored completely (same effect as open_newwindow=2)

browser.link.open_newwindow.override.external

-1 = open_newwindow applies to external links (default)
3 = open external links in a new tab
2 = open external links in a new window
1 = open external links in active tab 
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I have had this same problem for months and it is very annoying. I am on the Internet all day and need to have multiple tabs open many times over 50 at a time. But having any more than 10 windows as it makes it far too hard to find previously opened websites. Please help me find a solution to this.

I mean I know in the scope of the worlds problems, this doesn't even get on the list, but it does waste my time and causes much frustration so I would really appreciate a solution.

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Firefox may think that it is in a pop-up window.

Try to close all open windows and quit the Firefox application and restart.

You can check for problems with the localstore.rdf file.


Try to remove the Firefox plist file (org.mozilla.firefox.plist).

Go to "~/Library/Preferences" and remove the plist file for Firefox (org.mozilla.firefox.plist)

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I found that by starting Firefox in Safe mode the problem goes away. So that is the good news, now I just need to figure out which Addons are causing the problems. Thanks for helping.