If I already have firefox open in Linux, how can I open a new URL in a new window.

Question

I want to be able to click on a button, and have firefox open a new window at a given URL. Currently, if I already have firefox running, then it opens a new tab, which may be on a different desktop. Having to detach the new tab to a new window and move it back to the right desktop seems like unnecessary work.

Answer 1

If you mean a shortcut or link ''completely outside of Firefox,'' there is a hidden preference to change how that works. This requires a visit to the about:config preferences editor. I think it's (C) below that you might want to change.
In a new tab, type or paste '''about:config''' and press Enter. Click the button promising to be careful.
In the filter box, type or paste '''link.o''' and pause while the list is filtered.
Double click these and set the value as desired:
'''(A) browser.link.open_newwindow'''
3 = divert new window to a new tab (<u>default</u>) (checked*)<br>
2 = allow link to open a new window (unchecked*)<br>
1 = force new window into same tab
'''*''' First checkbox in Options > Tabs
'''(B) browser.link.open_newwindow.restriction''' - for links in Firefox tabs
0 = apply the setting under (A) to ALL new windows (even script windows)<br>
2 = apply the setting under (A) to normal windows, but NOT to script windows with features (<u>default</u>)<br>
1 = override the setting under (A) and always use new windows
'''(C) browser.link.open_newwindow.override.external''' - for links in other programs
-1 = apply the setting under (A) to external links (<u>default</u>)<br>
3 = open external links in a <u>new tab</u> in the last active window<br>
'''2 = open external links in a <u>new window</u>'''<br>
1 = open external links in the <u>last active tab</u> replacing the current page
Does that work?