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Tabs and Windows? HOW?

  • 8 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by Pierre

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Hello

Can anyone tell me how to make Firefox open two separate window on startup. Currently I have the user's PC set to open two tabs on startup, but it complicates the issue as she doesn't really understand tabs.

My ideal would be to have those two open as separate windows each time Firefox starts.

I have already disabled "Open new windows in a new tab instead"

Hello Can anyone tell me how to make Firefox open two separate window on startup. Currently I have the user's PC set to open two tabs on startup, but it complicates the issue as she doesn't really understand tabs. My ideal would be to have those two open as separate windows each time Firefox starts. I have already disabled "Open new windows in a new tab instead"

Chosen solution

Combining this information --

cor-el said

Note that you can use a command line switch (-new-window) to open a link (home page) in a new window.

his-lordship said

https://www.wunderlist.com/#/lists/149792369|http://192.168.1.10/doc/page/login.asp?_1516602209167

-- you can modify the Firefox desktop shortcut with the two startup URLs. To try that:

  • Desktop shortcut: right-click the icon, choose Properties
  • Pinned taskbar icon: right-click the icon, right-click Mozilla Firefox, choose Properties

Windows normally will select the Shortcut tab. If not, go ahead and click the Shortcut tab.

You'll see the Target highlighted. That may be either of these depending on 32-bit/64-bit and update approach:

"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

To have the shortcut launch specific pages in separate windows, you can add them to the end, for example:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -new-window "https://www.wunderlist.com/#/lists/149792369" -new-window "http://192.168.1.10/doc/page/login.asp?_1516602209167"

After OK'ing the Properties dialog, you can test right away to confirm that Firefox now launches individual windows for those pages. Either:

  • double-click desktop shortcut
  • right-click pinned taskbar icon, click Mozilla Firefox

Success?

After that, you'll probably want to simplify the home page setting.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (8)

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Firefox can do this, but it's a bit complicated.

First, open Firefox and set up the windows/tabs the way you want them. Next, open a new window and type about:preferences#general<enter> in the address bar.

There are two settings;

  • When Firefox Starts

When the browser is started, what do you want to display? Many of us choose Show My Home Page..

  • Home Page

When a new page is opened, what do you want to be displayed?

Select Use Current Page. Use what ever page(s) are open at that time. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Type about:config<enter> in the address bar. If a warning screen comes up, press the I Accept the Risk button. At the top of the screen is a search bar. Type browser.startup.homepage

Click on this to edit. Look for |about:preferences#general or |about:preferences and remove it.

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Note that you can use a command line switch (-new-window) to open a link (home page) in a new window.

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Hello FredMcD

Thank you for the reply. I have had a look now at your solution, and found as follows:

FredMcD said

Firefox can do this, but it's a bit complicated. First, open Firefox and set up the windows/tabs the way you want them. Next, open a new window and type about:preferences#general<enter> in the address bar. There are two settings;
  • When Firefox Starts
When the browser is started, what do you want to display? Many of us choose Show My Home Page..
  • Home Page
When a new page is opened, what do you want to be displayed? Select Use Current Page. Use what ever page(s) are open at that time.

This part I have already set, but they open as two TABS, not as two WINDOWS if that makes sense.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Type about:config<enter> in the address bar. If a warning screen comes up, press the I Accept the Risk button. At the top of the screen is a search bar. Type browser.startup.homepage Click on this to edit. Look for |about:preferences#general or |about:preferences and remove it.

In "browser.startup.homepage" it shows the two URLs as set for the home page, not |about:preferences#general or |about:preferences

Do you have any more suggestions?

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Please copy browser.startup.homepage and post its value here.

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FredMcD said

Please copy browser.startup.homepage and post its value here.

https://www.wunderlist.com/#/lists/149792369|http://192.168.1.10/doc/page/login.asp?_1516602209167

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I was doing some experimenting. It looks like you can set up as many tabs as you want, but only one window.

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Chosen Solution

Combining this information --

cor-el said

Note that you can use a command line switch (-new-window) to open a link (home page) in a new window.

his-lordship said

https://www.wunderlist.com/#/lists/149792369|http://192.168.1.10/doc/page/login.asp?_1516602209167

-- you can modify the Firefox desktop shortcut with the two startup URLs. To try that:

  • Desktop shortcut: right-click the icon, choose Properties
  • Pinned taskbar icon: right-click the icon, right-click Mozilla Firefox, choose Properties

Windows normally will select the Shortcut tab. If not, go ahead and click the Shortcut tab.

You'll see the Target highlighted. That may be either of these depending on 32-bit/64-bit and update approach:

"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

To have the shortcut launch specific pages in separate windows, you can add them to the end, for example:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -new-window "https://www.wunderlist.com/#/lists/149792369" -new-window "http://192.168.1.10/doc/page/login.asp?_1516602209167"

After OK'ing the Properties dialog, you can test right away to confirm that Firefox now launches individual windows for those pages. Either:

  • double-click desktop shortcut
  • right-click pinned taskbar icon, click Mozilla Firefox

Success?

After that, you'll probably want to simplify the home page setting.

more options

Thank you everyone for the help. @jscher2000, your solution above works perfectly.

@cor-el, I had a look at command line interface but wasn't quite sure what I needed to do. The entries I tried were obviously not correct. Thank you for starting me on the right track.

Thank you FredMcD for all your time too trying to help me fix this.