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Firefox option of switch to new tab on open isn't working properly

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I see others that want Firefox to switch to a new tab they opened immediately, I have the exact opposite issues. I do NOT want it to switch immediately and it is even though the option to "When I open a link in a new tab, switch to it immediately" is unchecked in my case. How can I get this checkbox to work?

I see others that want Firefox to switch to a new tab they opened immediately, I have the exact opposite issues. I do NOT want it to switch immediately and it is even though the option to "When I open a link in a new tab, switch to it immediately" is unchecked in my case. How can I get this checkbox to work?

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How are you opening the new tab? Right-click the link? Middle mouse button?

MClickFocusTab {web link} While using mouse middle-click to open new tabs, with a short- time clicking to open new tabs in background, with a long-time clicking to open new tabs in foreground.

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You do not need an extension to make that difference. You can additionally hold the Shift key when you middle-click the link with the middle mouse button (scroll wheel).

There are three prefs, accessible via the about:config page, to control the focus if you click a link (open link in background or foreground).

  • browser.tabs.loadInBackground (normal links)
  • browser.tabs.loadDivertedInBackground (javascript)
  • browser.tabs.loadBookmarksInBackground (bookmarks)
  • browser.search.context.loadInBackground

You can open the about:config page via the location/address bar. You can accept the warning and click "I'll be careful" to continue.