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Firefox Facts

Enable Visual Tab Switcher in Firefox 3.6

Posted: January 22, 2010 | Filed Under Hacks, Tabbed Browsing

Better Tab Switching Hack

With Firefox 3.6’s release, we can all do a quick about:config tweak that will enable the prettier tab switching.  By default, when you hit the keyboard keys Ctrl + Tab you just rotate through your tabs.  By making some quick adjustments though, you can pull up the new tab switcher that you see in the picture above.

How to Enable Firefox’s Secret Visual Tab Switcher

  • Type about:config in the address bar. Then, if needed click the “I’ll be careful, I promise!” button.
  • Next, in the filter box – type in:
    • browser.ctrlTab.previews
  • Right-click that about:config entry, and select “Toggle”

Now, when you hit the keyboard combination of Ctrl + Tab you will get the new visual tab previews, rather than just scroll through the tabs one by one.  If you want to switch back, just follow the same steps to toggle it from true, back to false.

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  • Karla
    The address bar does not accept anything that is not a url. I cannot follow the tip.
  • Nick B.
    For me on OSX this doesn't quite work. The default ctrl+tab cycles through the tabs. This produces the preview but you can't cycle through the tabs in the preview.
  • Josh
    Ctl + T on my Firefox 3.6 opens, as it it always has, a new tab. What is the difference in the way I have Firefox set up that I am not getting rotation through the tabs. And, if Ctl + T is changed to use to view tabs, what would be the keyboard shortcut to open a new tab. Thanks.

    Having problems posting. Sorry if it double posts.
  • The tip above would be for shuffling through your open tabs in a more visually appealing way - rather than opening a new tab. Try Ctrl + the Tab button on your keyboard, rather than T to get this to work.
  • Josh
    OK, that's what I get for reading too fast. Ctrl + Tab is under discussion. Sorry! Thanks for the clarification.
  • You forgot to mention the overview function to view all taps. Just move the mouse over the button "Show all X tabs". Nice!
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