Technically, you give the browser the command to open multiple pages at once. I get what you would like Firefox to do, but it's currently not possible.

If you would like to, you could use the Group your tabs feature (http://mzl.la/KrLdDR). This way, you can just switch to the grouped tabs view and select the tab you would like to load, individually.

If Firefox is set to not load tabs until selected, you will not be loading these tabs in the background. And, you don't have to have those tabs open in the window at all times.

Personally, I have seven different groups handling anywhere between 80-130 tabs at all times, so the Don't load tabs until selected feature really helps me out.

I group tabs for work, social media, YouTube, online shopping, etc.

I hope this will at least soften the blow for you a little.

P.S. I tried finding an add-on to help you with your problem, although I was not successful in finding one.

Hi krissie,

Thanks for your detailed and informative response.

I played around with the tab groups feature you mentioned, and although it's not exactly what I'm after I do have a few other uses in mind.

As they say, old habits die hard. I didn't even touch the Group tabs feature until quite a few months in. Now I simply cannot fathom how I've managed without it for so many years. The days of closing tabs are over for me.

Please note that, at least for me, Firefox really doesn't use more memory than normal, until of course I open many tabs at once.