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

Open tab next to current tab when middle clicking on a link

  • 7 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 12 views
  • Last reply by kasperbb98

more options

When you open a link to a new tab by middle clicking the mouse-wheel it opens the tab to the far right of the tab group. What I want it to do is to open just to the right of my current tab. Is this possible?

When you open a link to a new tab by middle clicking the mouse-wheel it opens the tab to the far right of the tab group. What I want it to do is to open just to the right of my current tab. Is this possible?

All Replies (7)

more options

Interesting... When I use my mouse wheel to open a link it always opens to the right of the current window or tab. Let me double check in windows.

more options

I am on Windows 11, so there might be some different behaviours. This has been the behaviour for as long as I can remember though, even on Windows 10. The tab sometimes seem to skip, not sure what that is about. I've tried different add-ons but none seem to do what I want - they are all mostly for when you open a new tab via CTRL + T.

more options

That behavior is controlled by these two 'insert' prefs on the about:config page.

  • browser.tabs.insertAfterCurrent
  • browser.tabs.insertRelatedAfterCurrent

You can open the about:config page via the location/address bar. You can click the button to "Accept the Risk and Continue".

more options

For me...

browser.tabs.insertAfterCurrent is false 
browser.tabs.insertRelatedAfterCurrent  is true

I just turned browser.tabs.insertRelatedAfterCurrent to false and was able to replicate the issue.

Modified by jonzn4SUSE

more options

jonzn4SUSE said

For me... browser.tabs.insertAfterCurrent is false browser.tabs.insertRelatedAfterCurrent is true I just turned browser.tabs.insertRelatedAfterCurrent to false and was able to replicate the issue.

As you can see in the attatched image, I have the same settings. I will also attatch a gif illustrating the issue. I don't have any add-ons that should interfer with the behaviour, although I have tried some - which did nothing to help. Weird.

If the attatched gif doesn't play, here is a backup: https://i.imgur.com/DbY1bnT.gif

Modified by kasperbb98

more options

If you middle-click a link then you override opening the link normally and the link is always opened in a tab at the far right and the insert prefs do not apply in this case. Those prefs only apply with a regular left-click on a link where a target window is specified that is diverted to a new tab.

more options

CTRL clicking the link does the same thing. Right clicking and choosing "Open Link in New Tab" also does the same thing. Opening a link the normal way wouldn't open it in a tab at all - so how does one achieve this then? Or is it just not possible?