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How can I stop Firefox reverting to a previous window?

thesoundsmith
thesoundsmith
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I hate tabs, so I always open in a new window so I can see BOTH pages, something tabs do NOT do. (Win7, and FF since over two years now, all updates...)

Almost every time, the new window opens, and then FF returns me to the old one. But I opened the new window because I wanted to view IT, not the one I jsut left.

How can I stop this undesired action?

Thanks...

I hate tabs, so I always open in a new window so I can see BOTH pages, something tabs do NOT do. (Win7, and FF since over two years now, all updates...) Almost every time, the new window opens, and then FF returns me to the old one. But I opened the new window because I wanted to view IT, not the one I jsut left. How can I stop this undesired action? Thanks...

All Replies (1)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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One possible reason for this is a bug in the Flash player. If you do not have any windows open that use Flash, and you launch a new window that does, during the setup of the protected mode feature, the plugin switches you back to the previous window.

This thread has more information about that problem and the known workarounds: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/955659

I'm not aware of any other cause of this issue, but if the above doesn't help, you could try to rule out an extension as the culprit by testing in Firefox's Safe Mode. That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

Not all add-ons are disabled: Flash and other plugins still run

After Firefox shuts down, a small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Reset).

Any difference?