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Stop new tabs from being focused

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  • Last reply by cor-el

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On some websites (namely, twitter), middle clicking a post opens it in a new tab. However, whenever this happens, the new tab is always focused, is there a way to prevent this from happening?

This does not occur on websites such as Youtube.com, where middle clicking a video opens it in a new tab, but does not focus it. This is the preferred result.

Likewise, when middle clicking a bookmark, the newly created tab is also immediately focused. Is this preventable aswell?

Thank you for your time.

On some websites (namely, twitter), middle clicking a post opens it in a new tab. However, whenever this happens, the new tab is always focused, is there a way to prevent this from happening? This does not occur on websites such as Youtube.com, where middle clicking a video opens it in a new tab, but does not focus it. This is the preferred result. Likewise, when middle clicking a bookmark, the newly created tab is also immediately focused. Is this preventable aswell? Thank you for your time.

Chosen solution

These prefs on the about:config page control whether links are opened with a left-click in the background or get focus.

  • browser.tabs.loadInBackground (normal links)
  • browser.tabs.loadDivertedInBackground (javascript and external links)
  • browser.tabs.loadBookmarksInBackground (bookmarks)
  • browser.search.context.loadInBackground (context menu: Search)

You can toggle the default action for opening a link in the background by holding down the Shift key when you use Ctrl plus left-click or middle-click a link.

You can open the about:config page via the location/address bar. On the warning page, you can click "Accept the Risk and Continue"to open about:config.

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Chosen Solution

These prefs on the about:config page control whether links are opened with a left-click in the background or get focus.

  • browser.tabs.loadInBackground (normal links)
  • browser.tabs.loadDivertedInBackground (javascript and external links)
  • browser.tabs.loadBookmarksInBackground (bookmarks)
  • browser.search.context.loadInBackground (context menu: Search)

You can toggle the default action for opening a link in the background by holding down the Shift key when you use Ctrl plus left-click or middle-click a link.

You can open the about:config page via the location/address bar. On the warning page, you can click "Accept the Risk and Continue"to open about:config.