Firefox Settings
Here are settings and extensions that I use in Firefox.
about:preferences
- Check the box for 'Tell websites not to sell or share my data'
Above is the native Global Privacy Control (GPC) setting in Firefox version 120 and later.
- Check the box for 'Send websites a “Do Not Track” request'
Here, make sure to include the smart quotes or just search for Do Not Track.
- Enable HTTPS-Only Mode in all windows
- Enable DNS over HTTPS
- Address Bar -- Firefox Suggest > Shortcuts: Uncheck
about:config
I recently noticed that you can use an asterisk * wildcard to search for keys in about:config. For example, zoom*spec will show the browser.zoom.siteSpecific preference.
- browser.tabs.closeWindowWithLastTab: false
- browser.tabs.insertRelatedAfterCurrent: false
- browser.search.openintab: true
- browser.tabs.loadBookmarksInTabs: true
- browser.enable_automatic_image_resizing: false
When you load a large image in a new tab, Firefox will resize the image to fit the window.
automatic_image_resizing allows you to load or refresh a stand-alone image without having to click to zoom.
- browser.zoom.siteSpecific: false
This setting allows you to zoom (Ctrl + Mouse Wheel) a specific tab without affecting other tabs or the whole website. I found this useful on Gmail. I can open an e-mail in a new window and zoom the message there without affecting the rest of Gmail.
Extensions
Firefox Multi-Account Containers
Template Profile
I create many Firefox profiles. And, while it is nice to have these steps enumerated, the process of creating a Firefox profile is not as easy as it could be.
To that end, I have a new process where I create a new Firefox profile, copy my default settings from a template, and then customize the new profile. I am following the instructions for backing up and restoring Firefox profiles. The instructions are linked below. In this way, I have most of the settings saved in the template. And then all I have to do for the new profile is add a home page and log in. I no longer have to go over the list above and change every setting.
Make sure to check your search engine after customizing. I've found Firefox likes to reset the search to Google.
Bookmarklets
A bookmarklet is a small piece of JavaScript that can be saved in the Address field of a bookmark. Then, when the bookmark is clicked, the JavaScript is executed.
The bookmarklets below generate a formatted link for the current page. Click on the bookmarklet and copy the link from the prompt.
These bookmarklets don't work on every Web site. I believe the issue is some sites restrict the JavaScript URI via their Content Security Policy.
Gemini Link Bookmarklet
javascript:(function(){
var myText = '=> ' + document.URL + ' ' + document.title;
prompt("Gemini Link", myText);
})();
Markdown Link Bookmarklet
javascript:(function(){
var title = document.title;
var url = document.URL;
title = title.replace(/\u005b/g, "\\[");
title = title.replace(/\u005d/g, "\\]");
var myLink = "[" + title + "](" + url + ")";
prompt("Markdown Link", myLink);
})();
Firefox Scrollbar
I find it difficult to use the scrollbar in Firefox. It is too small. And, I miss having the arrow buttons which allowed me to scroll continuously.
Below, I suggest some changes to make scrolling easier on the desktop.
about:preferences
In Firefox settings, I suggest disabling auto-hide.
- Check the box for 'Always show scrollbars'
about:config
In about:config, the following two settings widen the scrollbar.
After navigating to the about:config URL in Firefox, search for each setting and modify its value. Below, the name of the setting is to the left of the colon and my suggested value is to the right.
- widget.non-native-theme.scrollbar.size.override: 30
- widget.non-native-theme.scrollbar.style: 4
Also, these advanced preferences have the advantage of working in the Reader View and while viewing PDFs. Customizations made by add-ons won't work on privileged pages.
Extensions
You have the option of using an add-on to modify the scrolling behavior.
While I prefer scrollbar arrow buttons, those are not available in Firefox. And, the specific issue I am trying to address are "infinite scroll" pages like some search results and news articles. This is where the page keeps loading new content at the bottom and where an arrow button would be useful.
Right now, I'm trying out the ScrollAnywhere Firefox add-on. I have the multiplier set to 3.0. And this allows me to scroll to the bottom of an article in one gesture which solves my problem.
Note that middle clicking to paste continues to work normally on Linux. And the option to enable middle clicking only enables the clipboard permission for the add-on: resulting in a loss of privacy.
References
Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles | Firefox Help
Global Privacy Control | Firefox Help
How to increase Firefox scrollbar width? | Reddit
Firefox Scrollbar Styles | Make Use Of
This Thunderbird thread mentions the zoom preference in Firefox | Thunderbird Support
Changes
- Added preference for per-tab zooming.
- Added scrollbar information.
- Updated Do Not Track setting name.
- Removed OptMeowt add-on in favor of native setting.
- Added bookmarklets.
- Added information about using a template profile.
- Changed Heading to about:preferences
- Removed New Tab Override and Tab Reloader.
- Added Tab Reloader.
- Added preference to disable image resizing.
- Added New Tab Override.
- Added Privacy Badger.
- Added DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials.
- Added NoScript.
- Added Swift Selection Search.
- Added Greasemonkey.
- Open bookmarks in a new tab.
- Added open search results in a new tab.
Created: Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Updated: Sunday, March 3, 2024
/gemlog/