Middle-clicking in Firefox

July 20, 2005 12:42 PM

I'll use Firefox if someone can tell me how to keep middle-clicking from opening a link in a new browser window.

Setting middlemouse.openNewWindow to false in about:config doesn't do anything. I'd appreciate it if someone could tell me what the problem may be, since I feel like I'm probably just missing something here.

Also, I like that F4 brings the cursor to the Address bar in IE. Is there any way to set key bindings like that in Firefox? Or, say, some sort of crazy extension that makes Firefox look and act exactly like IE, without all of the horrible security flaws and everything?

posted by jimmy to computers & internet (18 comments total)

You can turn on "Use autoscrolling" (under "Browsing" in the "Advanced" section of the preferences) to change the middle-click behavior.

Alt-D, Control-L, and F6 can all be used to select the address bar in firefox. (Alt-D and F6 work in Internet Explorer too.)
posted by mbrubeck at 12:52 PM on July 20, 2005

(See also this complete list of Firefox keyboard shortcuts, including comparisons to IE and Opera.)
posted by mbrubeck at 12:55 PM on July 20, 2005

Why hasn't this been fixed on the Mac OS X version of Firefox? Middle-click still doesn't open new tabs. There was some explanation (technical) given for this behaviour, but it seemed like it was only a matter of time for it to be fixed, unfortunately it hasn't been. This is the only reason I don't use it. I use it on Linux and Windows, though.
posted by odinsdream at 1:39 PM on July 20, 2005

For what it's worth, F6 will alternate focus between the main window and the address bar. Also, middle-clicking a tab will automatically close it without taking focus off of whichever other tab you're on. I haven't noticed the middle-click - new window thing, but I keep autoscroll on.
posted by caution live frogs at 1:55 PM on July 20, 2005

The Tab Mix extension lets you configure all sorts of things about where new pages open under what circumstances.

The Keyconfig extension offers a limited ability to remap keyboard commands. Apparently, Firefox's design limits how much an extension can do in this regard. Coming up in, I think, Firefox 1.5 will be modifications to allow more sophisticated remapping.
posted by Zed_Lopez at 1:56 PM on July 20, 2005

I had autoscrolling on to begin with. Still doesn't keep the middle mouse button from opening links in new windows.

I'll try Tab Mix, though, and see if that helps.
posted by jimmy at 2:48 PM on July 20, 2005

Do you just want the middle click to do nothing, or do you want the link open in a new tab? If it's the latter, get Deer Park Alpha (the code name for an alpha version of Firefox 1.1). I've been using it for a few weeks, it's perfectly stable, and has an option to always open new windows in tabs instead.

If you want the middle click to do nothing, I don't know the answer.
posted by knave at 2:55 PM on July 20, 2005

Here are some instructions on creating an IE "look'n'feel" in Firefox. I'm not sure what this actually accomplishes, but it answers your last question at least (sort of, anyway; it's not extension).
posted by mumble at 4:34 PM on July 20, 2005

knave, I have an older build and I still have the option to convert any new window command to a new tab instead. In Tabbrowser Extensions, just set general preference to Single Window Mode, which I think suppresses middle-click new window. Also, in Use Tabs => Links => Middle-Click, you can select middle click to have No Reaction or Open in Current Tab, Open in New Tab, or Open in Background Tag.
There's almost certainly a way to do this with TabBrowser Preferences, as well. I think I heard a rumor a long time ago that 1.1 would simply include TBP, rather than requiring downloading the extension. Is that why you can do that in your version, perhaps?
posted by solotoro at 4:43 PM on July 20, 2005

Do you just want the middle click to do nothing, or do you want the link open in a new tab?

I want it to do nothing. And if what solotoro says about TBP integration in 1.1 turns out to be true, then I guess I'll probably just wait until that gets released. Thanks all.
posted by jimmy at 5:07 PM on July 20, 2005

Middle clicking opens a new window? Sweet!
posted by sourwookie at 5:29 PM on July 20, 2005

odinsdream: I'm not sure if this will help, but if the company that makes your mouse offers a Configuration utility for OS X, you might be able to change the middle click's behavior to play nice with firefox. I have a logitech mouse and I set it so that middle-clicking acts as an Advanced Click, which is configurable and which I currently have set to behave as a Cmd-click. YMMV.
posted by invitapriore at 6:07 PM on July 20, 2005

My middle button opens a new tab, and I didn't install any additional extensions or anything. It's probably the feature that I use most.
posted by bingo at 6:10 PM on July 20, 2005

odinsdream: in addition to seconding invitapriore's comment, I'd like to point out that you can get one of the prebuild OSX nightlies of Firefox from anytime in the last, like, six-twelve months, which has the middle-click turned on. That's what I'm using right now, works fine.

Or, if Camino/Safari/whatever-else-you're-using-please-god-let-it-not-be-IE5 is holding you up OK, wait till the end of the month (early/mid August if the release date slips) for Firefox 1.1 which ought to provide a vastly improved OSX experience.

bingo: yes, that's the default behavior in Firefox and has been for a very long time, and it is indeed damn useful. The only situation where it's not is in the OSX port, as per odinsdream's comment. I can't imagine browsing without middle-clicking opening a new tab anymore.
posted by cyrusdogstar at 6:14 PM on July 20, 2005

Forgot the link for odinsdream: http://homepage.mac.com/krmathis/
posted by cyrusdogstar at 6:16 PM on July 20, 2005

For crying out loud! Looks like krmathis has stopped providing the Firefox builds and focusing on Camino only. The torch appears to have passed here: http://www.furbism.com/firefoxmac/.

Sorry for all the posts :(
posted by cyrusdogstar at 6:19 PM on July 20, 2005

Thank you!
posted by odinsdream at 8:44 PM on July 20, 2005

Middle clicking opens a new window? Sweet!

No. Horrible.
posted by jimmy at 10:27 PM on July 22, 2005