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lengthen and shorten the search bar and the URL bar

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I like to be able to change the size of the search bar and the URL bar. I hate not seeing the whole URL as needed. And sometimes, I want to read everything I type in the search bar. This is a non-negotiable for me and I have stuck with the 3.+++ because Firefox removed this capability.

I read that the toolbar was now customizable (haha). But there's no way I can find to customize it to MY way. I can move the URL bar ABOVE the search bar, but I don't like it there. It would be satisfactory if I could move both the URL and the search to a separate line, but Firefox, in its wisdom, has decided I'm not permitted to do that easily, if at all.

For me, a good browser works the way I like it to work. I'm never happy when features I use are discarded. It's fine when new ones are added on, but when an update feels like a downgrade to me, I return to the old program. (E.g., I still use XP) If I cannot make this work, I'll have to go back to an old edition that lets me work my way.

I'm anti Procrustean bed.

I like to be able to change the size of the search bar and the URL bar. I hate not seeing the whole URL as needed. And sometimes, I want to read everything I type in the search bar. This is a non-negotiable for me and I have stuck with the 3.+++ because Firefox removed this capability. I read that the toolbar was now customizable (haha). But there's no way I can find to customize it to MY way. I can move the URL bar ABOVE the search bar, but I don't like it there. It would be satisfactory if I could move both the URL and the search to a separate line, but Firefox, in its wisdom, has decided I'm not permitted to do that easily, if at all. For me, a good browser works the way I like it to work. I'm never happy when features I use are discarded. It's fine when new ones are added on, but when an update feels like a downgrade to me, I return to the old program. (E.g., I still use XP) If I cannot make this work, I'll have to go back to an old edition that lets me work my way. I'm anti Procrustean bed.

All Replies (3)

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You can adjust the size of them if they were next to each other in the same line by placing the cursor between them. An arrow will appear so you adjust the size.

If you wanted to have them in different lines, right-click anywhere in the bars, choose "Customize" and move the search to a new line.

Good luck

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Thanks Ahnasr but that didn't work in the newer FireFoxes, although it had previously. That's why I posted the question.

However, I had planned to delete the question on here (couldn't find it!) when I discovered I was able to open a new toolbar and place the URL line below the buttons. Then, joyfully, I was able to also move the searchbar to the same line. And, I was thrilled to find that at that point, I was again able to resize both toolbars (although it was less necessary because of the space).

That solved, I am now trying Aurora and so far, so good. I'm amazed at how such a simple thing can be a stopper for me.

Now, if I could figure out how to prevent TABS altogether, I'd be really happy (I keep my WToolbar to the right and open all in new windows).

Thanks for helping!

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If you want all your toolbars as before show your menu bar, and move the search bar up the the right of the menus, and move some of your extension buttons up there as well.


You can make Firefox 5.0 look like Firefox 3.6.19, see numbered items 1-10 in the following topic Fix Firefox 4.0 toolbar user interface, problems (Make Firefox 5.0, or 4.0.1, look like 3.6). Whether or not you make changes, you should be aware of what has changed and what you have to do to use changed or missing features.