How to disable Drag-and-Search feature, It open too many unwanted tabs.
I have a habit moving my cursor while reading webpages. Whether it is a good one or not, I have no intention to change it. I guess I am not alone to have this habit.
The problem is that in the Firefox browser, any accidental dragging of selected content(Picture or Text) would open a new search tab. Finishing one article's reading, about 4 to 5 unwanted tabs would be opened. It is an big annoying to me. I agree it is a desired feature for many people. But I would like to have this feature optionally. I have try my best to find the switch but to no avail. I figure maybe it is relevant to a special version. I have installed Firefox on my two computers. The Win8.1 PC one doesn't have this feature, while the Win7 PC one does.
Chosen solution
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)
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Do you mean you are dragging the text or picture to a search box, or just moving it at all causes this problem?
Could you test in Firefox's Safe Mode? That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. More info: Use Troubleshoot Mode in Firefox.
If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.
If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:
- "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
- Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
and OK the restart.
Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).
Any difference? If the problem does not continue in Safe Mode, it could be a feature of one of your extensions.
Thank you jscher2000, in the SafeMode this issue indeed disappears. I just accidentaly drag the selected content for a little distance. I don't drag them to the search box because I never intend to search in this style.
But how do I find out the curprit extension? Disable each one and test?
Chosen Solution
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)
Thank everyone.
After an ardous one-by-one searching, I finally managed to single out the culprit extension.
To my surprise, it is developped by Mozilla Online Limited and called "Addons Manager". I never need this frivolous manager and removed it immediately. Now I could enjoy my reading in Firefox again.
