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Mouse middle click scrolling problem in Twitter (Problem in FireFox, not Chrome)

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I autoscroll, using the middle mouse button a lot. I middle click, release the button, and just move the mouse. To stop the scrolling I click the middle button again.

The problem is that in Twitter (only when using Firefox, not Chrome), and perhaps a very few other websites, if I make that second click (to end scrolling) over a link or linked image, the link opens (in a new tab). This is very frustrating, since I can move the mouse anywhere while scrolling, and I commonly mistakenly open links this way, interrupting my reading.

If I am *not* autoscrolling and middle-click on a link in Twitter, nothing happens. (Perfect!) But if I am autoscrolling the link opens (Bad!).

How can I set up Firefox to that the middle mouse button will never open links, and only function for scrolling?

I autoscroll, using the middle mouse button a lot. I middle click, release the button, and just move the mouse. To stop the scrolling I click the middle button again. The problem is that in Twitter (only when using Firefox, not Chrome), and perhaps a very few other websites, if I make that second click (to end scrolling) over a link or linked image, the link opens (in a new tab). This is very frustrating, since I can move the mouse anywhere while scrolling, and I commonly mistakenly open links this way, interrupting my reading. If I am *not* autoscrolling and middle-click on a link in Twitter, nothing happens. (Perfect!) But if I am autoscrolling the link opens (Bad!). How can I set up Firefox to that the middle mouse button will never open links, and only function for scrolling?

All Replies (3)

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It is a Microsoft mouse (the small travel-size one). It's a type that has been available for many years.

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I found the problem. Disabling the Gesturefy extension fixed it.

Thanks for your help.

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I have the same issue on all websites using Firefox. This problem is exclusive to Firefox and scrolling with the middle mouse button still works with Chrome. I have not modified any software related to my mouse and have never set up features like having different button layouts based on app use.