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open tabs in background

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 8 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

TheReservoirDag
TheReservoirDag
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In Chrome if I want to do either of the following:

1. Click link on a page using Ctrl+Left mouse click or 2. Click a bookmark using ctrl+left mouse click

The link opens in a background tab without leaving the page I am on or closing the bookmark menu.

This does not happen in FF and no key combinations I have researched or tried will duplicate this action which Chrome allows.

Since going back to FF it is hands down the best browser there is - however I am finding my inability to open the tabs in the background like I could in Chrome to be frustrating.

Any help to achieve this would be great.

I am using WIn10 FF 6301 (64)

Thanks in advance.

In Chrome if I want to do either of the following: 1. Click link on a page using Ctrl+Left mouse click or 2. Click a bookmark using ctrl+left mouse click The link opens in a background tab without leaving the page I am on or closing the bookmark menu. This does not happen in FF and no key combinations I have researched or tried will duplicate this action which Chrome allows. Since going back to FF it is hands down the best browser there is - however I am finding my inability to open the tabs in the background like I could in Chrome to be frustrating. Any help to achieve this would be great. I am using WIn10 FF 6301 (64) Thanks in advance.

All Replies (5)

FredMcD
FredMcD
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https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/mclickfocustab/ MClickFocusTab 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.

Not compatible with Firefox Quantum I don't know if there is a replacement available.

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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See also this pref on the about:config page.

  • browser.bookmarks.openInTabClosesMenu

You can open the about:config page via the location/address bar. You can accept the warning and click "I accept the risk!" to continue.

McCoy
McCoy
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Hello The ReservoirDag,

Even though I doubt that you will still be looking for a way to open your links in a new tab, in the background :

Would you do this please :

3-bar menu => Options => General => under 'Tabs' uncheck :

'When you open a link in a new tab, switch to it immediately'.

Now when you press the Ctrl key and click a link, the link will be opened in a new tab, but you will still be on the same tab.

McCoy
McCoy
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Two other suggestions are provided here :

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1257482#answer-1216663

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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There is a difference between normal links and JavaScript (onclick) type links. With normal links that set a target window (tab) it should be sufficient to left-click a link in case the background/focus pref(s) (browser.link.open_newwindow) have the correct value. JavaScript links fall under a special diverted pref and the (browser.link.open_newwindow.restriction) and the website can intercept modifier keys like Ctrl or Shift (a middle-click should work). If you middle-click a link or use the Ctrl key then holding Shift in addition toggles the background/focus as set in Options/Preferences.