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

Wannan tattunawa ta zama daɗaɗɗiya. Yi sabuwar tambaya idan ka na bukatar taimako.

Why does a new tab open as a window no matter what I do in settings?

more options

I have selected and unselected the option in setting to 'open a new window in a new tab instead' multiple times but it won't stop opening new tabs in new windows.

I have selected and unselected the option in setting to 'open a new window in a new tab instead' multiple times but it won't stop opening new tabs in new windows.

All Replies (1)

more options

Do you have this problem with all links in Firefox, or only some links, or only links outside of Firefox?

There are some links that use a script method to apply certain limitations or features to a window, such as a specific size or certain toolbars. Firefox lets those launch in a new window. If you want to force those into a new tab as well, here's how:

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config and press Enter. Click the button promising to be careful.

(2) In the filter box, type or paste link.o and pause while the list is filtered.

(3) There are three similarly named preferences for different scenarios, we're going to focus on the second one, but I mention the others in case you have a question when you see them:

(A) browser.link.open_newwindow - for links in Firefox tabs

3 = divert new window to a new tab (default) 2 = allow link to open a new window 1 = force new window into same tab

(B) browser.link.open_newwindow.restriction - for links in Firefox tabs - change this from 2 to 0 (zero)

0 = apply the setting under (A) to ALL new windows (even script windows) 2 = apply the setting under (A) to normal windows, but NOT to script windows with features (default) 1 = override the setting under (A) and always use new windows

(C) browser.link.open_newwindow.override.external - for links in other programs

-1 = apply the setting under (A) to external links (default) 3 = open external links in a new tab in the last active window 2 = open external links in a new window 1 = open external links in the last active tab replacing the current page

Does setting that second preference to a value of 0 make any difference?