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How do I get back the 'clear field' (x) button in the address bar?

  • 3 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 13 views
  • Last reply by rjmx

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Before Firefox 56 (I think), there was a little 'x' button in the address bar (and search bar) that cleared the field, allowing you to enter something new. That seems to have disappeared, so now, if I want to enter a new address or search term, I have to manual;ly select the entire line (not always easy) and delete it. Why has this gone away, and can we please have it back? (I note that there was a 'clear fields' extension in the past that did this, but it doesn't work with Firefox 57+.

Before Firefox 56 (I think), there was a little 'x' button in the address bar (and search bar) that cleared the field, allowing you to enter something new. That seems to have disappeared, so now, if I want to enter a new address or search term, I have to manual;ly select the entire line (not always easy) and delete it. Why has this gone away, and can we please have it back? (I note that there was a 'clear fields' extension in the past that did this, but it doesn't work with Firefox 57+.

All Replies (3)

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When click in the Address Bar then Keyboard Command Ctrl + A selects all the text. When you click in the Address Bar once it selects all the text. No need for a clear button.

https://www.howtogeek.com/333110/how-to-customize-firefox-quantum-and-remove-the-white-space-around-the-title-bar/

To submit suggestions for new or changed features, may I suggest: Feedback: https://qsurvey.mozilla.com/s3/FirefoxInput/

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

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See also these browser.urlbar.*click prefs on the about:config page.

  • browser.urlbar.clickSelectsAll
  • browser.urlbar.doubleClickSelectsAll

You can open the about:config page via the location/address bar. You can accept the warning and click "I accept the risk!" to continue.

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Pkshadow: Thanks, but I already knew most of that. The point is that it takes extra effort to do it. I'm getting on age-wise, and even though the single click selects all, a slight move of the mouse deselects again. Nine times out of ten, I have to keep fiddling till I get it right. Besides, going with that line of thinking, we don't need the 'home' button because we can always type the address of the home page, right? Same for the 'reload' button: we can always type the address back in, or even go to the address bar with the mouse and type 'return'? I'd guess that the 'x' was removed because of all the other crap that now occupies the address bar. Anyway, I've done as you suggested and gone to the feedback page and requested the return of the 'x'.

COR-EL: Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try it.