Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Firefox Insists on Opening Files Into New Windows, Not New Tabs

more options

I often save articles for personal reference. If I reopen html files, Firefox insists on opening each in its own window instead of new tabs in the same window.

Would opening about:config and changing browser.link.open_newwindow.override.external to 3 solve this problem? I already have browser.link.open_newwindow set to 3.

I have sensory processing issues, including a strobe sensitivity. I know it's a standard suggestion in each question, but please don't ask me to use "safe mode," or "refresh Firefox," it isn't safe for me to use a browser without animation-blockers and other accessibility fixes.

I often save articles for personal reference. If I reopen html files, Firefox insists on opening each in its own window instead of new tabs in the same window. Would opening about:config and changing browser.link.open_newwindow.override.external to 3 solve this problem? I already have browser.link.open_newwindow set to 3. I have sensory processing issues, including a strobe sensitivity. I know it's a standard suggestion in each question, but please don't ask me to use "safe mode," or "refresh Firefox," it isn't safe for me to use a browser without animation-blockers and other accessibility fixes.

All Replies (3)

more options

The browser.link.open_newwindow.override.external might only apply to links, not documents. Setting it to 3 should force Firefox to open external links in a new tab in the last active window. Did you already try that to see whether it affects documents, too?

If not, perhaps a tab-related extension such as Tab Mix Plus or Tab Utilities that has dozens of options could help. I don't use either of those myself.

more options

Thanks. I really thought that setting my solve the bug, but it didn't.

more options

I don't know how it works on the Mac, but on Windows, if I go into the Registry editor and make a change, then double-clicking a .html file does load it in a new tab in the last active window:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FirefoxHTML\shell\open\command

DEFAULT:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -osint -url "%1"

MODIFICATION:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -osint -new-tab "%1"