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[FF 70]How do I get rid ow the "What's New" button?

  • 33 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 43 views
  • Last reply by bjm_1

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https://imgur.com/HPLwuI8

I mean that "gift" button marked "What's new" which was added in FF 70. It's not seen under "customize" dialog and still I want to remove it somehow. How can I do this ?

https://imgur.com/HPLwuI8 I mean that "gift" button marked "What's new" which was added in FF 70. It's not seen under "customize" dialog and still I want to remove it somehow. How can I do this ?
Attached screenshots

Chosen solution

Update: It seems I've found the solution. "browser.messaging-system.whatsNewPanel.enabled" in about:config seems to remove that "gift"...

Read this answer in context 👍 2

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Chosen Solution

Update: It seems I've found the solution. "browser.messaging-system.whatsNewPanel.enabled" in about:config seems to remove that "gift"...

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Mozilla, what are you doing?!?

I understand that you want advertise somehow, but such method?! "What's new" - unwanted gift icon that cannot be easily removed (i.e. cannot be removed normally via editing menu). It is method used by spyware and other malicious software/addons!!!

There is already many unwanted addons in Firefox that could be disabled only via about:config:

  • Pocket
  • Firefox Screenshots (I even did not know about this unwanted forced addon. I discovered that it is preventing Google Translate to work properly - cannot switch language from keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+S)
  • and now - "What's New" advertisement icon

In the same time Mozilla is removing very good and usable addons:

  • RSS reader
  • Tab Groups (Panorama)
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Despite implementing the solution in this question. (browser.messaging-system.whatsNewPanel.enabled = false ) I just had the gift icon reappear in the toolbar. I also had the warning reappear when trying to view about:config. Related issues?

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Well, in 71 it reappears every time I restart the browser and it seems that nothing can be done to remove it permanently. Am I wrong?

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A few days ago I clicked that icon accidentally and then it disappeared somehow. I haven't seen it since then so maybe this is the only solution…

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That's essentially the issue. This appears to be a feature Mozilla can make reappear whenever they want. It seems it will reappear each time Firefox updates regardless of the about:config settings. At least that's my interpretation of the behavior so far.

I get it, they're trying to increase the discoverability of their new features, but they're really in a tough spot. Their market share is a small, self-selected group of people who are the opposite of tech fashionistas. We are skeptical of new features and generally cantankerous about distractions and intrusions. But the users they need to grow seem quite different from the users they have now.

How to get new users? By adding new features? Then you need to advertise those features. In the process they annoy their current users who are quite happy with how things are, thank you very much.

Speaking mostly for myself...

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OK, but why force "whatsnew" for "power users" like we are?

"Average user" do not know/care - they will not remove this icon. Eventually user could try hide it in "official way" (via "Customize..." or right mouse button and then "Pin to Overflow Menu"). Because "official way" is not allowed on this button - they will leave it as it is...

Only "power users" will try disable it via about:config... I do not know if it is by purpose, but `browser.messaging-system.whatsNewPanel.enabled=false` is not working correctly... It is extremely intrusive - it will only discourage the most loyal users...

So if I do not want this advert button - I need download source code, find how this button is forced, remove it and then recompile Firefox only for me... Hmmm... Maybe it is the time to search for some alternatives - it is much less hassle...

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Here's my solution. I tested it for 1 day without seeing "What's New" button.

Download: custom_css_for_fx_v2.9.5_v3.zip (Classic CSS tweaks for Firefox Quantum v2.9.5) Link: https://github.com/Aris-t2/CustomCSSforFx/releases

In this compressed file "custom_css_for_fx_v2.9.5_v3.zip", search:

@import "./css/buttons/whatnew_button_always_hidden.css"; /**/

Add this: @import "./css/buttons/whatnew_button_always_hidden.css"; /**/

on the first line of userChrome.css.

Don't forget to add:

whatnew_button_always_hidden.css

in this directory:

C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\[firefox profile directory].default\chrome\css\buttons\whatnew_button_always_hidden.css

Hope it's a permanent solution for the next Firefox releases.

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I applaud your efforts, but that's farther than I'm willing to go. My hope is that by posting here the Firefox team will hear and fix it.

I'm still hopeful that this was a true mistake (as opposed to a tech company "mistake") and it will be resolved with the next revision.

I personally would like to see an option in the basic settings to disable this, but I understand why it's buried in about:config.

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robert_gagne said

Here's my solution. I tested it for 1 day without seeing "What's New" button. Download: custom_css_for_fx_v2.9.5_v3.zip (Classic CSS tweaks for Firefox Quantum v2.9.5) Link: https://github.com/Aris-t2/CustomCSSforFx/releases In this compressed file "custom_css_for_fx_v2.9.5_v3.zip", search: @import "./css/buttons/whatnew_button_always_hidden.css"; /**/ Add this: @import "./css/buttons/whatnew_button_always_hidden.css"; /**/ on the first line of userChrome.css. Don't forget to add: whatnew_button_always_hidden.css in this directory: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\[firefox profile directory].default\chrome\css\buttons\whatnew_button_always_hidden.css Hope it's a permanent solution for the next Firefox releases.

This solution seems to work so far. Should anything go wrong, I'll report here ASAP.

Thanks.

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McFly said

I applaud your efforts, but that's farther than I'm willing to go. My hope is that by posting here the Firefox team will hear and fix it. I'm still hopeful that this was a true mistake (as opposed to a tech company "mistake") and it will be resolved with the next revision. I personally would like to see an option in the basic settings to disable this, but I understand why it's buried in about:config.

+1

browser.messaging-system.whatsNewPanel.enabled = false does not work in Firefox 72.0

need FIX to get rid of What's New Gift button.

Modified by bjm_1

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To all :

With each update you will see in the 3-bar menu => Options/Preferences => General, under "Firefox Updates" a link saying "Whats new", to inform you about any possible changes that came with the latest update.

Those changes may be important to users, but not everybody knows about what I mentioned above.

The "What's new" button at the end of the toolbar makes sure that everybody will be informed about the latest changes.

To get rid of that button, all you have to do is click on it (read what the dropdown says and be "up to date") - you won't see that button again, untill the next update.

For those who know about Options => General => Firefox Updates : is it really so annoying to see that "What's new" button at the end of the toolbar until you click on it ....... ?

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McCoy said

To all : To get rid of that button, all you have to do is click on it (read what the dropdown says and be "up to date") - you won't see that button again, until the next update.

Sorry, not on my machine with 72.0. I've clicked on the Gift button and I've read the drop down contents 10 times. The Gift icon goes away and returns with next browser cycle. I see the Gift icon, now. And just clicked button for 11th time. How many time do I need to read and re-read and re-read > What's New? I've linked to the What's New articles. I've bookmarked the What's New articles. How many time do I need to see the Gift button. Yes, I'm annoyed.

Modified by bjm_1

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bjm_1 said

Yes, I'm annoyed.

If you keep seeing that "What's new" button (and why it does is beyond me), then you have every right to be annoyed !

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@ bjm_1 (and maybe others):

I couldn't let it go, and found this article :

https://www.ghacks.net/2019/10/22/firefox-70-0-release-information/

When you scroll down to "Firefox Account icon and menu, and What's New icon" you'll see :

" Firefox users who don't need the icon can remove it with a right-click on the icon and the selection of Remove from Toolbar from the context menu. "

Does that work for you ?

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McCoy said

@ bjm_1 (and maybe others): I couldn't let it go, and found this article : https://www.ghacks.net/2019/10/22/firefox-70-0-release-information/ When you scroll down to "Firefox Account icon and menu, and What's New icon" you'll see : " Firefox users who don't need the icon can remove it with a right-click on the icon and the selection of Remove from Toolbar from the context menu. " Does that work for you ?

Does that apply to Firefox 72.0?

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bjm_1 said

Does that apply to Firefox 72.0?

I was kinda hoping that you'd tell me, as I don't see that "What's new" button anymore since I clicked on it .....

You haven't tried it yet ?

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McCoy said

@ bjm_1 (and maybe others): I couldn't let it go, and found this article : https://www.ghacks.net/2019/10/22/firefox-70-0-release-information/ When you scroll down to "Firefox Account icon and menu, and What's New icon" you'll see : " Firefox users who don't need the icon can remove it with a right-click on the icon and the selection of Remove from Toolbar from the context menu. " Does that work for you ?
Judging the rest of the article, it only applies to Firefox Accounts button (which is indeed removeable). When try Customize the toolbar, I cannot remove What's new button because it's not there, while the button IS visible while browsing - regardless of
browser.messaging-system.whatsNewPanel.enabled = false

-- Firefox 72.0 on Linux (64bit) - running from tar.bz (NOT from distribution repos)

[visible]: https://i.imgur.com/s2b6zPb.png [invisible in customize mode]: https://i.imgur.com/4klXXiA.png

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Since, reading https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/72.0.1/releasenotes/ I have not seen Gift button? We'll monitor.

Modified by bjm_1

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McCoy said

To all : [...] is it really so annoying to see that "What's new" button at the end of the toolbar until you click on it ....... ?

Yep, it IS annoying in the same way as SPAM messages and unwanted newsletters/mailings annoy most of people. I DON'T WANT THAT BUTTON AT ALL!!! So I have the right to be annoyed every time it appears against my will. Any questions?

Modified by tomasz.chlebinski

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