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Unable to right click a link and open in a New Window

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Hello,

  I've been having problems with FF when I right click a link on any site, and I want to "Open Link in New Window", but it never happens. Then I tried to right click the same link and I "Open Link in New Tab", which works. What happened? Did the programmers/developers change something? I even tried it in "Safe Mode" with the same problem. Can anyone suggest anything? I almost tried everything imaginable, even running Windows 7 Ult SP1 in Safe Mode as well, with no help. 

Thank You. David

Hello, I've been having problems with FF when I right click a link on any site, and I want to "Open Link in New Window", but it never happens. Then I tried to right click the same link and I "Open Link in New Tab", which works. What happened? Did the programmers/developers change something? I even tried it in "Safe Mode" with the same problem. Can anyone suggest anything? I almost tried everything imaginable, even running Windows 7 Ult SP1 in Safe Mode as well, with no help. Thank You. David

All Replies (11)

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Hello,

The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information. Note: This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.

To Reset Firefox do the following:

  1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
  3. Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
  4. Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.

Further information can be found in the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

Thank you.

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Thank you, that worked! Can you tell my why Adobe Acrobate doesn't work? I also did a fresh install of FF 22 and I'm unable to use Adobe Acrobate in FF 22. It's listed in my applications. Thanks

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Note that such issues are likely caused by one of the extensions that isn't working properly.

So if it happens again then start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions).

  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window

If it works in Safe Mode and in normal mode with all extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) disabled then try to find which extension is causing it by enabling one extension at a time until the problem reappears.

Close and restart Firefox after each change via "Firefox > Exit" (Windows: Firefox/File > Exit; Mac: Firefox > Quit Firefox; Linux: Firefox/File > Quit)

  • If you have many extensions then first enable half of the extensions to test which half has the problem.
  • Continue to divide the bad half that still has the issue until you find which one is causing it.
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I've tried both methods --- start in safe mode with no add-ons and reset Firefox. After resetting my homepage and all other personal preferences, after a short time, it reverts backs to not showing "open link in new window". It's become a real hassle to keep going through this process over and over again. This is obviously an issue with Firefox and I was wondering when a patch or an upgrade will become available. I'm currently using version 22.0

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Hi budmeyers, is the problem that the choice is missing from the menu, or that choosing that item doesn't do anything?

Note that holding the Shift key and left-clicking is the same as Open in a New Window. Does the keyboard method work?

Firefox 23 was released yesterday. I don't know whether it will make a difference on this issue.

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The choice is missing from the menu. I just updated to 23 and double-checked all add-ons (manually disabled all, and opened FF in safe-mode). Same problem. Might have to completely uninstall / reinstall.

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Hi budmeyers, I just realized there is a difference in the right-click-a-link menu between regular windows and private windows. In both cases, I can open a link in a new tab or a new private window, but only in a regular window can I open the link in a new (regular) window. (See attached screenshot)

Are you running Firefox in automatic/permanent private browsing mode?

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No, I'm not in automatic/permanent private browsing mode...but I digress, when I upgraded from version 22 to 23 it appears (fingers crossed) that corrected the problem. I have no idea if it was a fluke or not, but for the time being, it appears to be ok . I would also check for adware using MalWareBytes. I recently downloaded and installed some video software (which I removed with REVO, including registry files) and that may have had something to so with it also. Thx.

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Note that there also can be security software that is interfering in some way and wants to prevent opening windows.

If it happens again then try to boot the computer in Windows Safe Mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test to see if that helps.

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This "change" that jscher2000 mentioned is the exact same problem that I am having. Normally, I like to have every link that I (left) click on, open in a new tab. I have TabMix Plus configured for that, although it doesn't work on the tabs in my bookmarks toolbar like it used to (and that IS annoying). BUT when I want to open a link in a separate window...THAT right-click option is GONE.

I've gone through all the options in Tab Mix Plus, and ColorfulTabs nor Multiple Tab Handler have anything to do with this.

Just like you, the only right-click option I now have when I click on a link, is to open in a new Tab or Open in Private Window. I actually WANT to keep a record of browsing history (I have kids...).

Any ideas?

Izmjenjeno od strane 8writer

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Hi 8writer, the intentional change should not affect links in non-private windows. If your content menu is broken in a non-private window, there likely is a different explanation for that.