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Can't set local new tab page

  • Akukho zimpendulo
  • 0 zinale nkinga
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In the year 2024, firefox still does not allow a simple way to set any URL you would like as the new tab url (without an extension).

Users were previously able to use extensions like NewTab override to have a relatively seamless experience changing their new tab page. However after certain changes, these said extensions can no longer set your new tab page to a local file, and can also no longer clear and focus the address bar.

I am simply requesting a feature within firefox to set a custom new tab page, without having to create any external configs, or without using any extensions. This basic feature has been available in chromium browsers for years, and firefox already includes a feature just like this for the "Homepage and new windows" setting, where it allows you to input a custom URL to a local file or site to put it as your homepage. However, this same setting for some odd reason does not exist for the "new tabs" option. Why is this?

As of now, I've had to use a manual override along the lines of this:

``` // shenanigans for setting a different new tab page const { classes: Cc, interfaces: Ci, utils: Cu } = Components; const { AboutNewTab } = Cu.import("resource:///modules/AboutNewTab.jsm", {}); // path to new tab can be a url or file const newTabURL = "file:///home/faaris/.local/packages/startpage/fazzi/index.html"; // set the new tab URL AboutNewTab.newTabURL = newTabURL; ```

this should not be needed. Having to modify files in system protected folders should not be needed for such a simple option.

In the year 2024, firefox still does not allow a simple way to set any URL you would like as the new tab url (without an extension). Users were previously able to use extensions like NewTab override to have a relatively seamless experience changing their new tab page. However after certain changes, these said extensions can no longer set your new tab page to a local file, and can also no longer clear and focus the address bar. I am simply requesting a feature within firefox to set a custom new tab page, without having to create any external configs, or without using any extensions. This basic feature has been available in chromium browsers for years, and firefox already includes a feature just like this for the "Homepage and new windows" setting, where it allows you to input a custom URL to a local file or site to put it as your homepage. However, this same setting for some odd reason does not exist for the "new tabs" option. Why is this? As of now, I've had to use a manual override along the lines of this: ``` // shenanigans for setting a different new tab page const { classes: Cc, interfaces: Ci, utils: Cu } = Components; const { AboutNewTab } = Cu.import("resource:///modules/AboutNewTab.jsm", {}); // path to new tab can be a url or file const newTabURL = "file:///home/faaris/.local/packages/startpage/fazzi/index.html"; // set the new tab URL AboutNewTab.newTabURL = newTabURL; ``` this should not be needed. Having to modify files in system protected folders should not be needed for such a simple option.

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