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

Only allow single instance of firefox (one window only)

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 9 views
  • Last reply by Shadow110

more options

How can I force firefox to only run a single instance (window). If firefox is already running, and I try to run another instance, it should instead switch to the already running instance?

I'm on Windows 10, but that should probably not make a difference.

How can I force firefox to only run a single instance (window). If firefox is already running, and I try to run another instance, it should instead switch to the already running instance? I'm on Windows 10, but that should probably not make a difference.

All Replies (4)

more options

Firefox should not be opening New Windows unless you tell it to. Or are meaning tabs ? As there are Extensions that can be used to limit the number of tabs that can be opened. https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/extensions/

more options

Hmm, what do you mean by instance?

Normally if you were to use your Firefox desktop shortcut when Firefox is already running, Firefox would open a new tab or new window in the same instance of Firefox -- meaning it is in the same session and the two tabs or windows will share history, cookies, etc.

more options

If firefox is already running, and I click its icon in the startmenu, or on the desktop, I want it to focus on the already open instance, not open a new window, as it currently does.

more options

Unfortunately that is not what the icon is for at this time. Have you checked out what happens when you right click it when it is running ?