Hi Robin

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• Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars

I am guessing it is not possible to remove this without using an addon.

Try the addon Classic Theme Restorer

• https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/classicthemerestorer/
• see also Common questions after updating to Firefox version 29_how-do-i-make-the-new-firefox-look-like-the-old-firefox

I may have a solution. I dragged the address part of the address bar into the customize menu. This separated the address bar into its component parts in the customize menu. I could not find a way to put the address part back into the address bar. So I restored the defaults. (Maybe I could have done an undo.) Anyway, the component parts were still available in the customize menu to be placed. So I placed the refresh button where I wanted it.

The new refresh button didn't seem to work until I restarted Firefox.

Are you using Firefox 29.0?

That worked in previous versions, but in 29 it isn't possible to drag the address bar into Customize. Unless you have an add-on installed, that you didn't mention, which overrides the default action.

With the previous versions there were separate components, but as of 29.0 its one package.

Yes, I was using Firefox 29.0. You cannot drag pieces of the address window inside the bar like you used to, but you can drag the entire window to the customize page.

Just put your cursor on the space reserved for typing in the URL, and click and drag that to the customize page.

The classic theme restorer addon 'doesn't detach the 'Refresh" button from the url window (which is all one unit now).

also - why have a "Do not auto UpDate Button" ???? when it updates anyway.

Please, Please... Detach the RELOAD BUTTON again so we can place it in a more comfortable location.

I have attached a screen shot to show you what you have to grab and pull into the customize window to detach the refresh button. You click and hold the left mouse button in the address text area where it says "firefox" and drag that into the customize area. This will separate out the refresh button, so that you can put it back into the tool bar.

The image will show you that I have already managed to detach the refresh button and put it in the tool bar in Firefox 29.0.1.

I have described how to do this and the solution to some problems you will have when you do this, but apparently I am not getting the idea across without this picture.

Darrtz,
You mention the updating. That should be fixed now.

also - why have a "Do not auto UpDate Button" ???? when it updates anyway. 

The option not to update used to be overridden by using the about Firefox dialogue. From Firefox 29 that is chaged and it is no longer overridden. If you set Firefox to download but not install an upgrade that is now what Firefox will do.

• This changed with Firefox 29:
  Bug 600500 - About Dialog should check for updates automatically, but not install them if the pref "Ask me what I want to do" is set
• see Advanced panel - Accessibility, browsing, network, updates, and other advanced settings in Firefox_update-tab

ssg13565, the url window, firefox text, nor the entire section you show in the screenshot has a grabber for me on customize. The grabber for customize only shows for Home, arrows, search. I am on 29.0.1

ssg13565,,

As I stated before, "in 29 it isn't possible to drag the address bar into Customize. Unless you have an add-on installed, that you didn't mention, which overrides the default action. "

Like maybe the extension that added the flexible spacer, the space, and the separator; those aren't part of Firefox 29.0.

I have classic theme restorer 1.1.8. Perhaps I found the way to get the refresh button, after I installed that extension. I know the extension itself did not restore the refresh button by itself.

Installed the classic theme restorer. Was able to drag the reload button to where I am used to seeing it. However, the original reload button is still there. Hiding it just moves the green location bar on top of the search window (looks gawd awful) For now I will use it with 2 reload buttons. I was so comfortable with FF before. Will consider installing an older version.

?!...Just realized this Topic is not the only one here and at other forums. I guess we're not the only ones bothered by having FF less customizable.

Doesn't going through the hassle of installing an older version and foregoing security improvements as well as other new technology seem to be a bit of an extreme way to hide a button that you could simply ignore?

Of course, the decision is completely up to you.

True. ... just less satisfied with Firefox (satisfied user since version .09)

BTW - installed 24.4.0 ESR (extended support version) all where it should be for comfort again :D

Firefox is just caught up in the industry wide disease of simplifying their user interface to satisfy the needs of mobile device users. It's probably true that they make up the vast majority of users. It is troubling that this trend ruins the experience for the few of us that still use powerful computers with huge and multiple display screens.

As a developer of web pages, I often go through a cycle of looking at a web page I am developing, tweaking it, and refreshing the browser. No matter how many times I just proofread the content, I still find mistakes that need correction. So the view, correct, refresh cycle is so frequent that I need it to be efficient with well placed controls to accomplish the cycle.

I don't mind making the GUI extremely simple for the majority of users, but I am upset with how often these "improvements" make it difficult for the experienced user/developer to use the tool in the way that suits them.

@ ssg13565

You said, "Doesn't going through the hassle of installing an older version and foregoing security improvements as well as other new technology seem to be a bit of an extreme way to hide a button that you could simply ignore?"

The answer is an emphatic no. There are those of us who believe our stuff is our stuff. We do not like someone tampering with it. This means that we like things a certain way. We will modify things until they suit our needs. I have modified things that don't seem to matter to most people. This does not make me wrong. Nor, are the people who don't do such wrong. However, those of us that do modify things are a class of people who get VERY irritated when someone begins messing with our stuff. I myself become extremely unhinged a people who attempt to lessen the importance to me of having my stuff my way. I got divorced over it. I have been jailed for it. I even drove my car into a gorge because they moved the cigaret lighter. Needless to say, your statement would be incorrect for those of us like this. Spending 100hrs on modifying something like this or increasing the security risk, or leaving firefox altogether because of it, is to us not too extreme. It is the right answer.

Wow, I have done some nose cutting off for face spiting in my past, but you really take the cake. It's fun to brag about these episodes, but sometimes I miss having a nose.

The best software applications are made so that the user can make them work the way they like to work. The is now less customization ability in FF29 than there has been for many, many versions. The inability to relocate the address/location bar and have to create a layout around it is just silly, controlling, and punitive. Having a refresh button tied to the location bar is fine for some, but also give us the refresh button in the custom icons so that we can also have it where we like. Taking away spaces and separators is yet another example. Sure, I was able to get them back with an add-on, but why? Please write software for the people who are literate, even if the "default" layout is for those who are at the far left side of the bell curve.

I once said, "I liked it a lot more when computers were expensive and only literate people bought them."

@ ssg13565

I gave away my nose years ago. In its place is a tree and a bird's nest. Much better than a stupid old nose.

Thanks, SSG13565. Very helpful.

I have FF29.0.1 and used the CRT to remove the refresh button from the address bar and put it on the left side. Once I restarted FF it worked perfectly.

I think FF should have left this option as a default, but that's the way it is. They may reconsider in the next build.

Of course, I'm now finding that so many pages that require plugins cannot be read. I have no problems with Chrome or IE. I never thought I'd say that IE is looking better and better. But it is.

I used to love Firefox but I'm finding it increasingly difficult to like.