Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} by holding down the <Shift> (Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox.

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?

Hi thanks for the reply. I've tested this and the menu option is not available in safe mode when I right click a link either.

Let’s do a full clean re-install; Download Firefox For All languages And Systems {web link}

Save the file. Then Close Firefox.

Using your file browser, open the Programs Folder on your computer.

Windows: C:\Program Files C:\Program Files (x86)

Mac: Open the "Applications" folder. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-download-and-install-firefox-mac

Linux: Check your user manual. If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it. See Install Firefox on Linux; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-firefox-linux

If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the Firefox download page, simply remove the folder Firefox in your home directory. http://www.mozilla.org/firefox#desktop

===============

Do Not remove the profiles folder.

Look for, and rename any Mozilla or Firefox program folders by adding .old to them. Do not rename the Mozilla Thunderbird folder if there is one.

After rebooting the computer, run a registry scanner if you have one. Then run the installer. If all goes well, remove the OLD folders when you are done. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If there is a problem, start your Computer in safe mode and try again.

http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Linux+Safe+Mode This shows how to Start all Computers in Safe Mode; Free Online Encyclopedia

Thank you so much for the detailed reply. I have followed the instructions and reinstalled and firefox works fine, but the right click menu still does not have the function available. I am unable to restart my computer in safe mode as it returns a black monitor (my video drivers don't load for some reason when in safe mode so I cannot see the screen)

I note that a few other people have this same issue however (the r-click menu item disappearing). Are we certain this isn't a feature in the recent update to 53? I had expected the answer to be that it was no longer being made available (by mozilla, deliberately) as everyone uses tabs these days. Obvious I know but just worth checking!

Late edit: I also notice the option has vanished from the File menu as well, which just has new tab or new private window as well. It's like the function has been stripped right out of the software.

Thanks again for helping so far :) afaik

Bumping in hopes someone can offer some further insights. I note a few others have this issue also so it's not just a one off case...

Hi, I can confirm that the right click Open Link in New Window is present in FF 53.0. It isn't in the main menu > File, but I don't know if it ever was - it does have New Tab, New Window and New Private Window.

I suggest as a last resort, that you try Refresh, but since it can occasionally cause issues of its own - to be on the safe side, before you do it, I would backup your bookmarks: Open bookmarks > Show All Bookmarks > Import and Backup > Backup. Or, Export Bookmarks to HTML, and save them to somewhere convenient on your computer. Note that Backup will overwrite any existing bookmarks when you restore them. For extra safety, I'd suggest making both a Backup - which creates a JSON file, and an HTML file.

The Refresh feature (called "Reset" in older Firefox versions) can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your bookmarks, history, passwords, cookies, and other essential information.

Note: When you use this feature, you will lose any extensions, toolbar customizations, and some preferences. See the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article for more information.

To Refresh Firefox:

1. Open the Troubleshooting Information page using one of these methods:
   • Click the menu button , click help and select Troubleshooting Information. A new tab containing your troubleshooting information should open.
   • If you're unable to access the Help menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting Information page.
2. At the top right corner of the page, you should see a button that says "Refresh Firefox" ("Reset Firefox" in older Firefox versions). Click on it.
3. Firefox will close. After the refresh process is completed, Firefox will show a window with the information that is imported.
4. Click Finish and Firefox will reopen.

Did this fix the problem? Please report back to us!

Thank you.

Sir/Maam, you are a legend, problem resolved and no data or bookmarks lost. Outstanding, thank you so much for your time! SOLVED!

I have the same problem but did not even understand the reference to 'right click menu', let alone the recomended actions.

Links no longer open an a new window - no idea why.

Hi G_M1, if you have a mouse with a left and a right button, when you click on a link using the right button, you should get a menu of choices for what to do with the link. One of those should be Open Link in New Window. Do you have that? That is what this thread is about.

If you have a different problem, it would be a great idea to start a new question:

https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new/desktop

Note: the category of the issue is not very important, pick any one you like and scroll down to continue entering your question.

Edit: Whoops, I see you already did that here: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1162602