This latest version of Firefox makes browsing and sharing on your Windows 8 easier and faster. We'll give you an overview of its features so you can get started right away.

Switch modes while browsing

Can't decide between desktop mode or Touch mode? Don't worry, you can switch modes easily while browsing.

From Touch mode: Go to menu button at the bottom of the page and select Relaunch in Desktop.

Awesome Bar, toolbars and tabs

No more fussing with toolbars on a small screen. The tabs, search field and a simplified toolbar stay out of your way until you need them. Just swipe up from the bottom of the screen to make them reappear!

• Awesome Bar: Take the Awesome Bar with you on Windows 8! Just start to type in a search or web address and Firefox will match what you type with sites you've already bookmarked or visited. It will also give you search engine choices, in case you want to start a new search.

• Navigation bar: This simplified toolbar contains the Awesome Bar and essentials such as the browser back and forward buttons, bookmark, pin and menu buttons. Flick up from the bottom of the display to bring up these controls.

• Tabs: want to open a new tab? Just tap the plus sign sitting o the right edge of the display.

To open a link in a new tab, hold the link down to bring up the menu and select Open in new tab. To see all the tabs you have open, swipe up from the bottom edge of the display.

Tile-based navigation

Firefox displays websites in large tiles that are easy to recognize and tap. No more clicking on the wrong site!

• Easy-to-recognize tiles on the home page: The Firefox home or start page displays your most visited sites, bookmarks and history all in one place. Pin, hide or delete sites from the Firefox home page by holding down its tile to highlight and selecting your preferred option from the menu.

• Pin your favorite sites to the Start screen: Want to access your favorite sites directly from the Windows Start screen? Simply load your page in Firefox and tap the pin icon. Enter a name in the dialog window and Pin to Start. Your pinned site will appear on the Start screen.

Privacy, search engine and sharing

You can change many of your settings through the Windows Charms bar:

1. Swipe from the right edge of the screen to bring up Charms, then select Settings.

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2. From the Settings panel, you'll be able to select Options to change your privacy and notification settings and Search to set your default search engine:
3. Clear Private Data: While Firefox for Windows 8 Touch version does not support Private Browsing, you can still clear your history, passwords and site preferences immediately after you browse. Under the Options panel, go to the Clear Private Data section, select the types of information you want to clear and tap Clear.
4. Do Not Track: Opt in to let websites know whether or not you want to be tracked. In the Options panel, scroll down to the Do Not Track section and choose your setting.

   See How do I turn on the Do Not Track Feature? to learn more about this feature.

5. Search engines: From the Settings panel, select Search and choose a search engine.
6. Share or save for later: See something that's too good to keep to yourself? Just swipe from the right edge of the screen to bring up the Charms bar and select Share. From here, you can email someone a link or screenshot, post the page to your social networks, or save it to your Reading List to enjoy later.