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In Firefox for Mac How do I get links to open in a new window?

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 20 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

Nislander14
Nislander14
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I have always had Firefox Preferences set so that links open in a new window rather than the same window or a tab. But in the last few days it has stopped doing this and is opening links in the same window. The option to have links open in a new window seems to have disappeared from Preferences. Is it no longer possible? I am using Mac Lion and Firefox 39.0.

I have always had Firefox Preferences set so that links open in a new window rather than the same window or a tab. But in the last few days it has stopped doing this and is opening links in the same window. The option to have links open in a new window seems to have disappeared from Preferences. Is it no longer possible? I am using Mac Lion and Firefox 39.0.

All Replies (4)

Banban
Banban
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Yes, this option is not any more available in Preferences.

You can check the value of browser.link.open_newwindow in about:config tab (enter about:config in the address bar, press Enter, accept the warning and find the option above), but I'm pretty sure this option doesn't work any more. If it worked:

  • 1 = in the current tab or window
  • 2 = in a new tab
  • 3 = in a new window

Otherwise you could try to install an add-on like Open Link in New Tab, maybe you can set the inverse parameter.

Nislander14
Nislander14 Question owner
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Sorry, it turns out the problem I was having with links failing to open in a new window is Google's fault! It was from Google that I was finding search results were failing to open in a new window as I thought I had set up in Google preferences. It seems Google is now unable to remember Search settings from one session to the next. Each time I open Google I now have to go to 'Search settings' and click 'Open each selected result in a new browser window'. It's a real pain!!

Banban
Banban
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So it'd be a Google issue… Anyway, thank you for your feedback!

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Such a detail is stored in a cookie.

You can use these steps to make a website remember settings:

  • Create a cookie 'allow' exception to keep such cookies, especially in case of secure websites and when cookies expire when Firefox is closed.
  • Tools > Options > Privacy > "Use custom settings for history" > Cookies: Exceptions

Make sure that you do not run Firefox in permanent Private Browsing mode (Never remember history).

  • Tools > Options > Privacy > Firefox will: "Use custom settings for history"
  • Deselect: [ ] "Always use Private Browsing mode"

In case you use "Clear history when Firefox closes" or otherwise clear history.

  • do not clear the Cookies
  • do not clear the Site Preferences
  • Clearing "Site Preferences" clears all exceptions for cookies, images, pop-up windows, software installation, passwords, and other website specific data.
  • Clearing Cookies will remove all specified (selected) cookies including cookies with an allow exception that you want to keep.