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Search results links won't open in new tab.

  • 9 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by rodojen

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I have my Firefox settings to open search results links in a new tab. I can get this to happen with Google, but I *rarely* use it. I prefer Bing. My settings are for links to open in a new tab, and they won't do that with Bing.

I have read what others have suggested about fixing this problem. I made changes in about:config with no result. I opened in Firefox safe mode and didn't find anything on my own. Will check out any tips though.

This has only recently become an issue. I know that Ads have always opened in the same tab and I do not care to right-click or use ctrl.

Another issue I suddenly had with the latest new design update was that when I used the Bing search box, it started switching to an address bar search. I was able to fix that.

Anyone know a sure cure?

I have my Firefox settings to open search results links in a new tab. I can get this to happen with Google, but I *rarely* use it. I prefer Bing. My settings are for links to open in a new tab, and they won't do that with Bing. I have read what others have suggested about fixing this problem. I made changes in about:config with no result. I opened in Firefox safe mode and didn't find anything on my own. Will check out any tips though. This has only recently become an issue. I know that Ads have always opened in the same tab and I do not care to right-click or use ctrl. Another issue I suddenly had with the latest new design update was that when I used the Bing search box, it started switching to an address bar search. I was able to fix that. Anyone know a sure cure?

All Replies (9)

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Firefox's built-in feature only determines how you want to open links that are coded to open in a new window (allow new window, or divert to new tab instead). You first need to get your Bing results links coded to open in a new window/tab like your Google results links.

Try: https://www.bing.com/account/general

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Thanks for responding, I have the Bing settings as illustrated. They have been that way unchanged for a long time, same as the Firefox settings. It's a recent development, that just started on it's on.

Modified by rodojen

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In case I misunderstood, are the Bing results opening in the same tab as the results page, or in a new window?

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When I get a page of search results and I click a link, the selected link opens in the same window or tab as the page of results, taking the results page "one step back" as it were. Previously, my selected link would open in a new tab. To see the results again, I have to go back one (or more) page(s). R.

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rodojen said

When I get a page of search results and I click a link, the selected link opens in the same window or tab as the page of results, taking the results page "one step back" as it were. Previously, my selected link would open in a new tab. To see the results again, I have to go back one (or more) page(s). R.

That is what I thought originally. If Bing results are set to open in a new tab or window in their preferences, I can't explain why that is being ignored and the links are not being coded to open in a new tab or window.

Could you double-check this setting:

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button accepting the risk.

(2) In the search box above the list, type or paste browser.link.open_newwindow and pause while the list is filtered

(3) If the browser.link.open_newwindow preference -- usually the first one on the page -- doesn't have the desired value, double-click it to edit the value:

  • 3 = divert new window to a new tab [DEFAULT]
  • 2 = allow link to open a new window [OLD STYLE]
  • 1 = force new window into same tab [PROBLEM]

(Please ignore the other preferences that contain the same text.)

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Hello~ I followed your instruction in about:config and have "browser.link.open_newwindow" set at 3. Looks good, right? R.

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That sounds right. With that setting, if the site has coded its links to open in a new window, Firefox should open them in a new tab instead. Definitely Firefox should not open them in the same tab.

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Yeah. It's a mystery what's going on.

If I was a conspiracy theorist, I would suspect a secret browser war going on with those who would have access to the back end code and their own browser. But that's ridiculous, inn't? Glad I'm not the suspicious type. Thanks for your input. If anything else comes to mind, LMK. rodojen.

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Here's a twist: When I wasn't signed into Microsoft, (and I may have been in a private window) on my Bing search page, I get a little blue toggle to open searches in a new tab. What do you think about that? :-D

Modified by rodojen