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

Lolu chungechunge lwabekwa kunqolobane. Uyacelwa ubuze umbuzo omusha uma udinga usizo.

open tabs in background

  • 5 uphendule
  • 1 inale nkinga
  • 2 views
  • Igcine ukuphendulwa ngu cor-el

more options

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)

more options

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.

more options

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.

more options

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.

more options

Two other suggestions are provided here :

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

more options

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.