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I want Firefox to open on the New Tabs page rather than a blank page or specific URL

  • 5 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by pjames95003

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I want Firefox to open on the New Tabs page rather than a blank page or specific URL. I had this setup in IE or really liked it, but there doesn't seem to be a URL to the new tabs page. (about:tabs in IE)

I want Firefox to open on the New Tabs page rather than a blank page or specific URL. I had this setup in IE or really liked it, but there doesn't seem to be a URL to the new tabs page. (about:tabs in IE)

Chosen solution

Set Firefox to start with your home page, and then copy/paste the following internal address as your home page:

about:newtab

More info on the Options page: Startup, home page, tabs, and download settings

Is that the right page, or are you using a "speed dial" type extension that you want to see there instead?

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All Replies (5)

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With Firefox 41 (and higher), it's no longer possible to customize the page shown in a new tab via changing the preference browser.newtab.url in about.config. Because of the fact that hijackers abused the preference in the past, Mozilla decided to remove it (see bug 1118285). Fortunately, by removing it, Mozilla also introduced a new API to bring this functionality back to life as an add-on. This add-on allows the user to choose a certain page in a new tab.

New Tab Override (browser.newtab.url replacement) https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/new-tab-override/

This is also available using Classic Theme Restorer (Customize Australis) {web link} Restore squared tabs, appmenu, add-ons bar, small button view and more on Australis UI (Windows/MacOSX/Linux + Fx 29+).

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Firefox should by default open the built-in about:newtab page if you open a new tab via the plus button on the Tab bar.

Isn't that happening in your case?

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (3-bar Menu button/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.

  • Switch to the DEFAULT theme: 3-bar Menu button/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance
  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window
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Chosen Solution

Set Firefox to start with your home page, and then copy/paste the following internal address as your home page:

about:newtab

More info on the Options page: Startup, home page, tabs, and download settings

Is that the right page, or are you using a "speed dial" type extension that you want to see there instead?

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Thanks for the replies. I need to clarify a little bit. When I use the Plus to add a new tab, that works exactly how I'd want it to. My issue is not when adding a new tab. What I want to do is have the new tab view be the default view when I LAUNCH Firefox.

Thanks

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Thanks jscher2000! Just needed the syntax. Perfect!