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Opening external links starts a new instance of Firefox.

Thomas Sisson
Thomas Sisson
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I have my default browser, desktop menu (like Start Menu), launchers (like Quick Launch), and desktop shortcuts start Firefox with -new-instance, but not with -no-remote. I need this option because certain websites like Yahoo! won't permit one to log in to separate accounts in the same browser. A " New Private Window" would only work in rare instances.

When I try to open links from external programs, a profile window pops up instead of simply opening a link in the existing instance of Firefox. I understand that some programs like Skype simply misbehave on Linux, but this is occuring all of the time.

It appears that -new-instance is acting like -no-remote again. I would report this as a bug, but bug reporting seems to be a waste of time unless it is something major. Also, please don't tell me to reset Firefox, disable extensions, upgrade Firefox, or any number of simple options.

If anyone else has had this problem, please let me know how you fixed it. I believe it does not matter what operating system you use.

--Thanks

I have my default browser, desktop menu (like Start Menu), launchers (like Quick Launch), and desktop shortcuts start Firefox with -new-instance, but not with -no-remote. I need this option because certain websites like Yahoo! won't permit one to log in to separate accounts in the same browser. A " New Private Window" would only work in rare instances. When I try to open links from external programs, a profile window pops up instead of simply opening a link in the existing instance of Firefox. I understand that some programs like Skype simply misbehave on Linux, but this is occuring all of the time. It appears that -new-instance is acting like -no-remote again. I would report this as a bug, but bug reporting seems to be a waste of time unless it is something major. Also, please don't tell me to reset Firefox, disable extensions, upgrade Firefox, or any number of simple options. If anyone else has had this problem, please let me know how you fixed it. I believe it does not matter what operating system you use. --Thanks

All Replies (1)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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I wasn't aware of -new-instance and there isn't a description on MDN.

In Bugzilla, there is a report that it works on Linux but not Windows (855899 – -new-instance flag does not work), but you're saying it doesn't work on Linux now, either. Comment #11 seems to be along those lines as well.

Hmmm... when I look at the source code with my limited knowledge of C++, I'm not sure -new-instance is being handled differently than -no-remote (nsAppRunner.cpp).