topic Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback! in Discussions

Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

rtestard — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 07:08:32 GMT

Hi community!

I'm Romain from the product team. We just launched Firefox 106 that includes significant changes to your private windows:

Private Windows have always been hidden behind the hamburger menu, making them an advanced user feature. With Firefox 106 they now became more accessible by letting you pin them to your Windows taskbar so it's easier to browse in a private context (applies to Windows only).
Private windows had a light theme on by default, just like normal windows, which made it hard to understand which window type you were in. With Firefox 106 a dark theme is now applied by default with clearer badges so it's more obvious to users which window type you are using.

It would be great to hear your feedback about this change so we can keep improving our private windows - how does it feel?

Thanks for your participation!

Re: Firefox View is now live in Fx106. Learn about this new feature and tell us what you think!

1MGB — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 05:55:55 GMT

The addition of a new separate icon to the Windows taskbar when a private window is opened seems very counter intuitive to the idea of "private browsing" to me. Why make it obvious that there are private windows open? It would be great if there were an option keep it hidden in the standard Firebox taskbar icon, like it was before this update.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

leo_os — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 07:38:29 GMT

I believe you forgot to mention that not only you can pin private navigation to the taskbar, but now private navigation happens on a complete separate window. My feedback on the later: having private navigation in a taskbar window apart from Firefox, that has a different, clearly "private navigation" icon on the taskbar, feels like (one could easily go as far as to say that it is) the complete antithesis of private navigation. I highly dislike this change. If you guys absolutely need to keep private navigation in a different window, then I'd say that a good bandaid would be to change the private navigation icon to the default Firefox icon or something that would not make the private window so obvious at a first, quick glance (looking at how the icon currently is, one choice would be to swap the Firefox logo with the private window one and vice-versa, making the Firefox icon the big one, and the private window one the small one).

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

longtimeffuser — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 07:45:02 GMT

Do not change the color scheme, please give option to put it like it has been. I has been steady, simple, now new colors. Change for sake of change. Why? Do not like it. Little detaily but annoying and frustrating. Every new version is basically new browser. Why? No need to change it when it works.You are driving user away. I am still sticking with Firefox but my patience is limited and you are pushing at the limits! Come on, am I the only one? Cannot be.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

longtimeffuser — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 08:02:47 GMT

It was totally different which is regular - saving history, cookies window and which is anonymous. Please change the colors back. This seriously looks like that you are just changing to change something, which is frustrating. Every version new browser. Please do not change so much and let users if they want new color scheme. New font color. Keep it simple and stable. So many different things in every new version is frustrating. Whackamole to change it back, however this one - new colors in anonymous view cannot be changed back. Which is quite sad. Another example of pushing user away from Firefox into the arms of other browser - please think about it!

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

longtimeffuser — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 08:04:37 GMT

Sorry for another reply:

How it feel? Different, without option to change it back. So very frustrating, annoying. Making me think to change browser. Which I have been using for long, long time But these constant changes are getting on my nerves. So much is changing, so much stress in the world - can we have one stable think in browser? Not if it Firefox 😞 😞

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

1MGB — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:21:19 GMT

@rtestard wrote:
Private Windows have always been hidden behind the hamburger menu, making them an advanced user feature. With Firefox 106 they now became more accessible by letting you pin them to your Windows taskbar so it's easier to browse in a private context (applies to Windows only).

Please change this feature or, at the very least, make it optional. Having a separate and CLEARLY VISIBLE icon appear in the taskbar has actually made using "private browsing" less private. Honestly, the hamburger menu icon has been adopted by so many modern GUIs at this point that someone who you may not consider to be an "advanced user" would know what it does. I'm also willing to bet that the vast majority of people who have taken the extra steps to use Firefox, instead of just defaulting to Chrome or Edge, are advanced enough to find the "private window" option.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

NovaFox — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 12:22:07 GMT

I hate it. All of it. I don't want my theme to change to dark. I don't want the Windows icon to change to the purple mask. I don't want this massive "Private browsing" banner in the upper-right. None of this makes me feel like it will "increase the feeling of privacy" like your release notes advertise because you seemingly didn't do anything under the hood to make Private Browsing more private anyway. So it all annoys me, and disappoints to see Mozilla doing pitching a feature where they are implying that UI changes somehow make people feel safer online. How out of touch. (Also, it makes it look like the Firefox devs are so insecure that they have to copy everything that Chrome does with their Incognito theming.)

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

a_ — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 12:39:56 GMT

The changes to private windows are not good. Please roll back the separate icon in the taskbar. At least make it so I can disable these settings if I want to.

Also, on the PDF editor, using the system color chooser dialog doesn't match the UI theme and looks out of place. Maybe build your own color chooser in a future release?

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Jon — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 13:51:55 GMT

We’re excited to connect with you all about Private Windows and work together to make the feature even better!

A quick reminder…

When participating in this discussion, please remember to:

-Follow the

Anything that violates the guidelines will be flagged and removed.

-Stay on topic

Let’s keep this thread focused and productive. If you have additional product feedback or ideas unrelated to the discussion topic, create a new post.

Thanks so much and looking forward to hearing your feedback 🙌

-The Community Team

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

ankitha_5594 — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:13:38 GMT

Hate the changes made in private browsing. Making it a different icon was not really a good idea. It's frustrating. Atleast keep an option whether people want firefox private browsing as a different icon or they want it in the same (like it was before). I really loved firefox up until now but i think i would have to change the broswer to a different one as i can't go back to the previous version of firefox now.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

ankitha_5594 — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:15:52 GMT

I hope you guys would consider undoing the changes please

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

sizu19sizu — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 18:33:07 GMT

I had a firefox pinned to the taskbar and if i wanted a private window i would right click on it and choose private, everything would stay on the same icon. now if i open private window it creates a separate icon on a taskbar and i absolutely hate that. my taskbar - my rules. i dont want to have TWO firefox icons on a taskbar. I also noticed next to a "open a new tab" plus sign on a toolbar theres a new icon "list all tabs" i want to remove it but i cant. its too close to new tab icon. and that big "private browsing" message on the top right corner.. why is it there? whats the point? just revert it to how it was, everything was perfect why fix it if its not broken?

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Ze — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 18:57:39 GMT

Could you then please reply to the people who have asked for the option to at least stop private browsing from showing as a different window/icon in the windows taskbar?

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Ze — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 20:08:27 GMT

For everyone like me who wants to reverse the change of private windows opening as a separate window on the windows taskbar: in about:config set browser.privateWindowSeparation.enabled false and if you dislike it saying private browsing in the corner, set browser.privatebrowsing.enable-new-indicator false the new logo can also be disabled with browser.privatebrowsing.enable-new-logo false

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

sizu19sizu — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 20:28:35 GMT

also i forgot to mention that now we have less space for tabs. i usually have 20+ tabs open and less space for tabs means my work is so much slower.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

sizu19sizu — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 21:00:39 GMT

just wanted to say thanks, i tried your suggestions and it worked. now my firefox is back to normal and i also found how to remove "list all tabs" icon from toolbar with browser.tabs.tabmanager.enabled false. 🙂

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Justinh — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 22:53:30 GMT

I like the fact that the color scheme changes - this is like what mobile does. I wanted the private windows to be more obvious.

However, I do not like the fact that the window is separate from the regular Fx window. Now I have different Fx tasks randomly strung across my taskbar, making it harder to find the window I want.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Anonymous — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 23:54:39 GMT

I definitely do not like the full dark mode for private browsing. If you hover over something like a video you cannot read what is displayed due to the text color and background color having very little contrast. Give me the option of setting the colors myself or the option of going back to a previous version. Bring back the previous version please. This is not an improvement

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Gliz — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 00:04:35 GMT

As I mentioned in another thread, this entire thing feels like Mozilla is forcing a solution to a problem that nobody had. I seriously cannot think of a single reason why Mozilla felt the need to completely change the behavior of the private window without even giving users the option.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

753 — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 04:17:24 GMT

Personally, I like the change. I don't have to worry about closing all Firefox windows without realizing there was an private window open that I would lose permanently anymore. I also know that if I see it in my taskbar, I have potentially private information open on my computer and should close it if necessary.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Cee_Jay — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 05:14:26 GMT

Better for whom? Mozilla Firefox or Mozilla Firefox users because I can't see it being for the latter.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Cee_Jay — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 05:27:56 GMT

Every time I receive an Update Available message my heart sinks each and every time. The last time MF had an update I kept putting it off but after reading about it I decided to download it because it said it wouldn't remove bookmarks. LIARS. It removed all of my bookmarks and I had a lot. It also changed some screens from white to black which my eyes don't like and there isn't a feature to reverse this. It's funny how MF don't give any information on what is in the new update - they just expect people to download and install it because what exactly? MF literally do keep their users in the dark. After reading this feedback page and the negative reviews of the new update I am staying away from it, which might now encourage me to look for another browser option. I have been with MF for years and have been faithful from that time. It's a shame MF haven't been faithful to their user base. Shame on you MF for not listening to us but for constantly doing what you think, feel and believe is right for you.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

pe23sk — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 09:35:35 GMT

Thanks! It really helped

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

sI240HG2fFHDMe3 — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 13:17:18 GMT

Unnecessary change.

Please revert or add option to configure.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

nice_kid26 — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 13:39:58 GMT

I hate this new change, why should it be detached from normal windows? , you can just put it outside the hamburger menu as default if you want people to use it, and let people customized it.

Put the (useless) 'Private browsing' & purple sunglasses Icon somewhere ELSE besides the TABS bar

LYNNPOKEMONOJEF — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 14:01:20 GMT

1st of all, i already know i'm in 'Private browsing' mode and don't need any 'reminder'

solution(s) ?

Why not put it in the 'tools' bar or the 'customize toolbar' Menu where it won't EAT-UP TABS space

the new 106 firefox might address 6-new security issues but: it's a step backwards to eat up

any valuable TABS bar real estate - some of us have small laptops

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

FF-11 — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 18:25:34 GMT

I use the Firefox Alpenglow theme. Since the update, private windows use some (new?) dark version of it. Could you please add a way to disable that? A different look for private windows is some kind of a good idea, however I'm not a dark mode user. It looks like you can select the light theme in the menu. However, it is not possible to select the light version of the Alpenglow theme.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

MrSafetyCache — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 21:59:27 GMT

You need to stop copy pasting this in every thread. You are literally a mod posting spam at this point.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Thalyssa — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 04:37:17 GMT

It would be nice if there's an easy toggle to revert to the previous private browsing behaviour. I don't like promoting that I have private windows open.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Cee_Jay — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 08:22:27 GMT

My brother has offered me his old laptop (W7 I think he said it is) which I have accepted. I will install OPERA and see how that works. If I am happy with it I will install it on my laptop and delete MF, never to return.

I don't like MF's 'passwordless' access onto this forum. You're nothing special MF so why use this method? Unlike a lot of people my email account is not open all of the time, which means I have to go into it and log in using my email address (which I did for this) and then my password. Talk about time consuming.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

miun333 — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 13:27:56 GMT

The whole reason I open a private window is to do things in private, you know the whole reason it is named a private window. Please make this toggleable or something.

New version of Private Browsing is LESS private

Blarg — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 13:29:23 GMT

In the previous version of Private Browsing, when one opens a private window, the icon in the system tray added a "shadow" tab to the Firefox icon. This new version (106.0.1) 10/21/2022 creates a new purple icon that stands alone in the system tray. It's color scheme isn't even presented in subdued colors to make it less noticeable.
The old way is MUCH less noticeable. If they are unwilling to go back to this better version, they should make the icon much less noticeable in the tray.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

dancutrer — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 13:31:29 GMT

Jon,

I'm guessing you don't really want to hear OUR feedback.

It took about two hours to reinstall v.105, recover my bookmarks, recover all the logons so LastPass could handle them. Like other posters, I trusted Firefox ... I trusted you enough that I automatically clicked to approve your changes. I know it's futile, there's no way Firefox can have a non-featured version of its product or let us rollback what Mozilla is so proud of. This will be at least a footnote in Mozilla's history, a sudden hiccup that caused it users. After a brief experience with v106, I'll never update again. MS looks closest to Firefox, I'll probably switch there. Something else I swore I'd never do.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

SnowMeow — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 14:39:56 GMT

There is really no need to have "Private browsing" text on top right of the window. Do it like Edge did, really no need to visually bloat stuff.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Justinh — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 23:09:04 GMT

What do you mean? Doesn't Edge have the same bloat? (Well, it bloats the address bar instead of the tab bar, which is probably preferred.)

private browsing

Abbodi — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 08:41:26 GMT

why you separate the private browsing icon in taskbar
in the earlier version they were gathered together and any one look at my desktop cannot see that i am using private browsing
he can only see that I'm using Firefox
now any one look at my taskbar can see that I'm using both
there is no privacy any more

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

JM69 — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 09:25:55 GMT

Hi, This seems to be what I need. For the not so tech savvy, how do you get to these settings? Thanks

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

leo_os — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 10:57:29 GMT

Type "about:config" in the URL bar and hit enter. Press the continue button.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Progress2000 — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 15:14:39 GMT

Fix: Go to about:config and change this to false: browser.theme.dark-private-windows

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Progress2000 — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 15:16:46 GMT

Ultimate guide:

Close all private windows
Open about:config from the address bar
Look up browser.privateWindowSeparation.enabled and set it to false
If you also want to hide the icon at the top right corner, set browser.privatebrowsing.enable-new-indicator to false too

If this doesn't work for you, check about:studies.

Not by me, Reference: https://www.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/y8iik0/the_fact_that_private_windows_open_like_this_now/

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Progress2000 — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 15:17:42 GMT

Please support the idea of add option to disable icon of private window on taskbar here:

https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/add-option-to-disable-icon-of-private-window-on-taskbar/idc-p/16858#M8597

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Toastedsnow — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 20:31:24 GMT

Visual/Icon changes that do not benefit functionality in any way - in fact, now I have to re-familiarize myself with yet another icon change. An addition in the top right of the tab bar that takes away screen real estate - now I can see less tabs at once. A giant neon sign that advertises to the whole universe that I have a private window open - isn't private browsing supposed to be discreet and, you know, private? A separate shortcut (that installs by default that I have to now delete) to scream to the universe "Oi bruv, you want to open a private session?"

So sick and tired of rolling back MF with every major update until I find the time to go into :config and tinker with things (or download addons to disable icon bloat). We're done, you and I.

Yeeted and deleted with prejudice. Hello Opera, my new primary browser.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Progress2000 — Sun, 23 Oct 2022 01:49:43 GMT

Please stop using Opera, the company behind it has many shady behaviors. I think vivaldi is better than Opera if you want to use an advanced Chromium based browser.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

1MGB — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 06:27:10 GMT

I would like to add my thank you to this list! 👍

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

rtestard — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 08:55:03 GMT

@FF-11 That's correct, you can force light on all windows if you dislike dark although we'll currently apply the dark version of Alpenglow on private windows. We'll look into what it would take to make this possible, thanks for bringing it up.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

rtestard — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:02:22 GMT

Hi @Cee_Jay . Sorry to hear you're having issues with this update.

Regarding your bookmarks - we have not seen bugs reported around bookmarks removal - can you please go to Hamburger menu > Bookmarks > Manage bookmarks and let me know if you can find your bookmarks in there?

Regarding the use of dark theme on private windows, you can go to Hamburger manu > Addns and Themes > Themes > Scroll down and select "Light". This will apply the light theme to all winbdows, private an non private

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

rtestard — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:04:23 GMT

Thanks @753 , glad to hear that it's valuable to you!

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

rtestard — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:07:03 GMT

Hi, if you want to retain the light theme always, you can go to Hamburger manu > Addons and Themes > Themes > Scroll down and select "Light". This will apply the light theme to all windows, private and non private

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

rtestard — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:10:03 GMT

@JustinhGlad the default theme change works for you, this is the exact reason that drove this change.

Regarding the window separation - can you please say more about why it is now harder?

Private windows are groupped under the private taskbar shortcut while normal windows are groupped under the normal Firefox taskbar shortcut.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

rtestard — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:18:25 GMT

Hi @longtimeffuser , sorry to hear the default theme change in private windows does not work for you.

You can go to Hamburger menu > Addns and Themes > Themes > Scroll down and select "Light". This will apply the light theme to all winbdows, private an non private

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

rtestard — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:27:16 GMT

Thanks for the feedback @leo_os

Private navigation used to be on a separate window but it's right that now by default on Windows we'll place a taskbar shortcut under which your private windows will be groupped. This is to make it simpler to manage your windows but I realize that in your scenario it may feel like regressing privacy.

https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/private-window-changes-in-firefox-106-give-us-your-feedback/m-p/16543/highlight/true#M7243 describes how to use about:config to apply the change you need. I'll keep monitoring feedback on https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/add-option-to-disable-icon-of-private-window-on-taskbar/idi-p/11472 - we're always careful about bringing new options to about:preferences but it sounds like this may be a valuable addition.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

rtestard — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:32:52 GMT

Thanks for the feedback @1MGB

https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/private-window-changes-in-firefox-106-give-us-your-feedba... describes how to use about:config to apply the change you need. I'll keep monitoring feedback on https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/add-option-to-disable-icon-of-private-window-on-taskbar/idi-p/1... - we're always careful about bringing new options to about:preferences but it sounds like this may be a valuable addition.

I realize that the hamburger menu is a common pattern but as soon as you hide options behind secondary UI you will mechanically regress accessibility and frequency of use. Clearly some users want options to disable the taskbar icon for reasons that are reasonable, being able to pin to taskbar will although be valuable for users to access private windows more conveniently (this is opt in, exposed through onboarding).

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

rtestard — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:37:46 GMT

Hi @NovaFox

Sorry to hear that the change does not work for you.

https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/private-window-changes-in-firefox-106-give-us-your-feedba... describes how to use about:config to apply the change you need.

You can also force the light theme on all Windows by selecting "Light" as opposed to "auto".

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

rtestard — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:40:32 GMT

Hi @a_ Sorry to hear you're unhappy about change.

This thread is about the private window changes, you can follow and contribute to https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/pdf-annotations-in-firefox-106-give-us-your-feedback/td-p/16619 for pdf annotations feedback.

Re: Firefox View is now live in Fx106. Learn about this new feature and tell us what you think!

rtestard — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:42:13 GMT

Hi @1MGB I believe this comment is the same as https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/private-window-changes-in-firefox-106-give-us-your-feedback/m-p/16450/highlight/true#M7190 where I just replied.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

rtestard — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:43:48 GMT

Sorry for the delay in answering here, we're a small team with lots to do especially around updates! I've tried to address questions above.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

rtestard — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 10:06:20 GMT

Hi @ankitha_5594 Sorry to hear you're unhappy about change.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

rtestard — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 10:15:30 GMT

Thanks for feedback @sizu19sizu

The "list all tabs" issue is bring tracked under https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1786011 where you'll get full context.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

rtestard — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 10:16:59 GMT

Hi @sI240HG2fFHDMe3

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

rtestard — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 10:20:20 GMT

Hi @nice_kid26

Separating windows in private and non private contexts bring these benefits:

- Simpler accessibility and management of the window type you need

- Increased awareness that when you close Firefox it will close private windows (that will then be gone forever)

I realize from this thread that some users won't like this change. https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/private-window-changes-in-firefox-106-give-us-your-feedba... describes how to use about:config to apply the change you need. I'll keep monitoring feedback on https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/add-option-to-disable-icon-of-private-window-on-taskbar/idi-p/1... - we're always careful about bringing new options to about:preferences but it sounds like this may be a valuable addition.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

tlzyiqleu — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 13:17:55 GMT

I think firefox and private browsing icon in windows bar should be switch , it will look better. Which is big firefox icon and small private browsing icon.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Justinh — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 22:56:29 GMT

Well, it looks like I was wrong - you get only the one new group of tasks. Either way, I'd like all the Fx tasks together, and I don't want to pin 'private' to my taskbar to predict its location like I do the regular Fx.

I do see the advantage of denoting private windows, if only because it can remind me which tabs are in which windows w/o having to peek or poke. My workflows are different on different computers, so a toggle for this behavior would be nice. (I'd rather not have to dig in about:config, though.)

I can RMB on the task and select a private window, which is not much more work compared to a pinned not-private task. (Of course this doesn't the desktop shortcut scenario.)

How about make a compromise and show private windows as such and grouped in the Taskbar, then give an option to show as private or not?

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

xing124 — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 00:11:41 GMT

After the recent update when i have 2 browser windows opened, one is private mode one is normal, theyre separately shown on the windows10 task bar which i find way less private than having one icon with 2 thin bars showing two windows/carts open. Now everyone walking by can see i'm doing something on my private session in the background, behind the normal mode browser.
Also windows10 lets you make the program appear on task bar only on the monitor screen its on, however with new private mode it appears on both taskbars.

Re: Firefox View is now live in Fx106. Learn about this new feature and tell us what you think!

xing124 — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 00:15:30 GMT

i dont use win11 but win10 is rightclicking and choosing not an option on windows11 taskbar firefox icon? Doest it really need to become separate thing for someone to open private session without the need to open a normal session first? I can do it effortlessly on win10

Re: Firefox View is now live in Fx106. Learn about this new feature and tell us what you think!

Justinh — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 01:32:54 GMT

Yes, W11 has the same RMB behavior for the pinned Fx task on the Taskbar.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

yokoffing — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 14:15:45 GMT

I like that the color scheme changes to dark mode when entering private browsing. That's pretty standard among browsers these days.
I thought I would not like private browsing being its own icon in the taskbar. However, since I keep a minimum amount of icons in my taskbar, it actually helped my productivity rather than hurting it, even with the loss of muscle memory. (10-month update: I switched off the private window separation.)
- But, I do agree with others sentiments that this is a bit tongue-in-cheek for private mode: Anyone looking at your computer can see you have a private window open now. That doesn't bother me too much personally, though. Most people don't even know what a private browsing window is. No one is looking at what applications I'm using, nor do they care.
The only thing I don't like with the changes is the new "Private Browsing" banner in the upper-right section of the tab bar. It's taking up valuable tab space. I have disabled this in my `about:config`.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

yokoffing — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 02:42:58 GMT

It would certainly make it less obvious that you're using a private browsing session.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

leoj3008 — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 07:37:33 GMT

As you Firefox employees can see in this post the new changes are not welcome and MUST be rolled back or at least make them optional

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

S2000 — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 19:22:18 GMT

The Private Browsing icon alone is helpful enough to identify a Private Window. Including the writing in the Tabs bar is redundant while also reducing space to display tabs.

While I think that there may be some merit to a Dark-themed Private Browsing Mode, it should be a separate switch in about:preferences. The current implementation prevents the "Follow System" theme to serve its purpose: if my OS has Dark Mode enabled then all apps should have it enabled as well, but if my OS is in Light Mode, everything would be in Light Mode EXCEPT Private Windows. I'd rather let the "Follow System" setting to serve its original purpose.

I also tend to agree that separating Private Windows and Standard Windows into two Taskbar icons is a little counterintuitive in maintaining ou privacy. Furthermore I personnally prefer to have all my Windows, Private or otherwise, stacked behind the same Taskbar Icon, since I can check at a glance in the Window's preview if I am in a Private window with the Icon in the Tabs bar. Perhaps there are different user cases, but I use both Private and Standard Windows at the same time, and it is neither hard nore time consuming to check in the Window's preview what Tabs are there and wether they are private or not based on the Tabs (such as the websites opened or the general "theme" of my opened tabs). In the end I'd think that it would also be easier to switch between Standard and Private Tabs, without having to face a longer distance between the two Taskbar Icons.

While my next comment isn't specifically related just to the changes in Private Browsing, I would like to express my appreciation that this discussion was launched by the Firefox Team. It helps remind us all that there truly is a link between Firefox developpers and its users, and it shows some openness toward feedback, something reinforced by the proactive launch of this thread. This is much more tactful and respectful than other previous changes where we were just placed before an accomplished fact (looking at you, "optimised" download flow).

If Firefox would commit to continue hosting such feedbacks (perhaps while the changes are still in Beta, before landing in Stable versions), we might not always agree on the necessity or usefulness of such changes, but on the other hand it might help us Users regain some trust and respect in our Browser.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Jon — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 00:03:47 GMT

Thanks, @S2000! This is really great feedback. These discussions have been an ongoing series here in Mozilla Connect, and we plan to keep 'em going. And you make a great point about discussions on features while in beta...we're definitely looking for more ways to connect and collaborate with users.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Isaac — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 00:28:11 GMT

I think separating private windows is a great option to give people! But I don't like that it was forced on me without warning.

You mention that using private windows being an advanced feature due to being behind a menu, and while I don't agree with this assessment in general (how are users meant to open new windows at all if they aren't savvy enough to know how to work a hamburger menu?), I find it particularly ironic when our only way to disable this feature is through flags, a notoriously advanced feature.

Again, this change could be useful for a lot of people, but just as much it could be an inconvenience to others—e.g. if you don't want, say, nosy roommates noticing you have private windows open. Firefox has had a bad habit of making significant UI changes out of nowhere and giving us no option to revert back. I love Firefox, but the instability of its UX is certainly a much worse barrier for casual users than having to contend with a hamburger menu.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

_00_ — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 09:26:17 GMT

I have posted 2 ideas that I think supersedes this topic. Which do not appear in any search. So no buy-in comments or anything.

ver 107 should be released asap and only focussing on giving the user all the options back, so they can be in control, no auto pushing private into start, no forced tab, no forced search bar handoff etc, let the users decide as much as possible. Then, and only then, we can look at proactive improvements, until user focus is regained FF will lose market share, users and valuable contributors.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

BeepBeep — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 14:37:17 GMT

I can't speak for @Justinh, but in my case I've noticed it's more mental work every time I look for a specific tab in the taskbar preview thumbnails. Now I first have to try to remember which type of window the tab happened to be open in so I can hover over the correct icon to look for it. At first it wasn't particularly irritating but I've now realized I do that a lot more frequently than I would've thought. I guess I'd summarize by saying this change adds just enough friction to make a simple and quick action that I never thought about into a bit of work that I apparently do enough that it's becoming a recurring annoyance.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

R- — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 20:31:47 GMT

Hi Roman,

How does it feel? It feels bad, man. Like one day you were all happy and didn't have a care in the world, left the house, and when you came back someone had painted it black. This felt like a change dictated by someone in 'marketing' rather than a needed change. My opinion seems to mirror many others and I came here and created an account just to pass this feedback: changes to functional tools should be done with great care as to not disenfranchise your supporters. This could have been done with an opt-in method, rather than force your loyal userbase to jump through hoops to set it back. So far, I have not seen one comment that endorses these changes and I really hope your product managers read the feedback, admit their mistakes, and focus on real solutions.

I'm on FF 106.0.1 on MacOS 12.6.1. The doc has round or rounded square icons, all with white backgrounds, except firefox. There doesn't appear to be context menus now when right clicking on the icon to switch between normal and private windows, or to launch a new ones.

This is not the hill I will die on, but just wanted to respond to your request for how it makes me feel. I like firefox, but feel that you are not innovating, and instead are making it harder to want to use your product.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

R- — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:04:48 GMT

Shady behaviors, such as? I'm honestly very curious. Firefox used to be synonymous with privacy, but now appears to be doing the opposite by making private browsing public (or at least very visible on your computer). From a comparative point of view, that is pretty shady, too.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

madjooo56 — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:56:44 GMT

Please delete this update, it's bad and useless because everyone will know when I use private windows

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Cee_Jay — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 05:01:44 GMT

Thank you for your reply.

It was when I downloaded MF's last update version 103.0.2 that I lost my bookmarks. I haven't download the latest version 106.0.2 and I have no intentions too, no matter how many times the pop up message pops up. It isn't going to happen at all let alone any time soon. I like to use an extension picture theme on my laptop as it 'brightens' it up, but each one I was choosing made some screens dark, especially the 'Hamburger Menu'. That used to be white - now it's dark and I can't revert back, and with V95 it was white. People don't have time to go through menus and look for themes &c. to try and change it back to how it was when it shouldn't have been changed in the first place. Have you not heard the saying: If it isn't broken don't fix it? Clearly not. You are making your users jump through hoops of fire and that isn't fair. You clearly are not listening to them and I doubt you are working on an update to change the mess you have created or revert back.

I downloaded Opera the other day because for some strange reason I couldn't access a finance website on MF because the website requires access to cookies and MF had blocked them (no problems with other finance websites, just this particular one), and no matter what I did on MF settings I couldn't allow the access. So I downloaded Opera out of curiosity and it worked fine. I have to look into O a lot more (I used to use O before MF) and take it from there. At the moment MF is asking me to accept them as their main browser (something got deactivated there - don't know what that was) but I've not accepted that. After approximately 18 years (since 2004) I think MF and I are going to have to go our separate ways.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Cee_Jay — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 05:03:21 GMT

'WON'T like this change'. More like 'DON'T' like this change.

Valuable option for MF.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

saulobmansur — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 07:36:32 GMT

Since private navigation is finally receiving some deserved attention, I must point out a long-term problem related exactly with it's closing behavior. Although there is an option to warn when closing a window with many tabs, private windows have a non-sense "hidden condition" that, if there is more then one window open, the warning option is ignored and it closes anyway. There is a bunch of open requests in bugzilla for years, all plainly overlooked because this behavior is "by design" (although a really bad design, in my humble opinion).

This is specially anoying because many times the window is closed by accident when a popup shows and then triggers a window resize right when you click the X button, so you end up closing the main window instead -- without a warning and no means of recovery, because now you had 2 windows open. If the option is pretty clear in it's intention, why can't it just be honored?

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Iampickle — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 10:47:17 GMT

It's great that they're separate windows, it just needs a way to hide it from taskbar. The only problem I can think of that would arise from hiding it from taskbar, would be how would we get back to that window, other than using "Alt+Tab" keyboard shortcut, which is not even a problem or inconvenience. I would definitely LOVE to see this idea implemented. I've used Firefox since it 1st came out in early 2000's.

I vote for dark theme option in private and ability to hide taskbar icon. I use dark theme on everything!

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

dancutrer — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 15:03:41 GMT

I don't usually post 'AMEN!!", this says exactly what I was trying to convey (except Opera, I got v.105 back). Almost a week later I'm still discovering settings, etc., that v.106 simply wiped out. I've been with MF since it's early-early days, spend hours a day with it. I've never used 'private screens', I'm told they were so tremendously important the major features had to be wiped clean to make room for them. And, sarcastically, so many people prefer dark-colored screens, let's make that universal (we'll tell those who really scream that they can always change their registry, as relatively few have a clue how to do that ...) That these screeds are actually being read, and may prompt some changes, is a start. Admitting you moved the product way ahead of what your customers were comfortable with, rolling back a bit to make it acceptable, is a textbook way of keeping them forever. Ever heard of New Coke?

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

njdev — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 01:58:46 GMT

It's not "simpler to manage" my windows and it's intrusive. This needs to be an optional install, not forced. GUI changes, installation changes, forced applications or "features" without the option to disable them and/or remove them completely is the exact reason why I refuse to use programs like Chrome as an example. Mozilla used to be better than this, over the past couple of years you have been moving into that same territory.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

_00_ — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 08:43:11 GMT

Adding links to ideas, still not showing.

https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/remove-quot-firefox-private-browing-quot-from-start-menu/idi-p/17117

https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/put-the-users-at-the-cente-of-every-decision/idi-p/16626

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

fanofgreece — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 19:39:23 GMT

1) I hate dark mode. It took me unneccessary time to figure out how to switch back to light mode in private window

2) If there are two icons in the taskbar, then the private and the non-private windows should be group to those icons. This is not the case! Try: use shift click in a new private window (with the new icon) on a link shown in some page there. This will open a new private window (ok so far) in the non-private browser (not ok). This is very confusing.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

mariduv — Sun, 30 Oct 2022 03:20:59 GMT

As a user, this taskbar separation was confusing to find without a clear notice about it or opt-in. I actually lost track of private windows, looking in my Firefox window list for them, so that my privacy was actually weakened when I kept one continuous private session over time I meant to have two or three separate sessions, clearing the slate between them. I do things like open videos in private so they don't disrupt my personal YouTube recs, and noticed when doing that that it was recommending things to me related to a video in a session that I expected to have been wiped.

I don't actually care about anyone seeing a distinct icon to know I have private browsing open because in today's user-tracking panopticon, I work in short-lived private windows constantly. No one thinks anything of it. I'm just grousing about the negative user experience to drop this on people in an evergreen browser update - we expect stability, or notice and hopefully, choice. Firefox 106 made a point to highlight... colorways at startup over this.

So yeah I don't think it was much of a user privacy win and I'd appreciate being able to turn it off without jumping into about:config yet again, and incidentally, keep the behavior in line with the Mac version I also use daily.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

nobodybutme — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 17:36:09 GMT

then please bring back the tab+ tab to the tab bar. I HATE having to go to the task bar and hunt down where the freaking tab+ icon is on the toolbar. so very backward. please fix this asap or give an option to put it back the way it was. this is backward, time consuming, and counter intuitive.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

nobodybutme — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 17:39:00 GMT

you have no idea how much I dislike / hate this. I hate it on my task bar, I hate it on my tab bar. far from private and more like you are advertising it. the large tab and icons just shout "look!!!" smh

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

t3t4 — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 09:38:17 GMT

Newer versions has this "Private browsing" literally spelled out in the upper right corner. Why? The mask icon was always enough to know which mode you were in, now you are wasting valuable tab space to spell out what I already know. I don't care so much that you spelled it out, I only care that I can't get rid of the text! We need more control over look and feel and function. Also, there is now a "V" in front of the private browsing badge and text in the upper right corner, clicking it reveals redundant information already in each open tab. Again, I don't care so much that it's there, I only care that I can't get rid of it.

Thank you.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Progress2000 — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 13:41:19 GMT

For example their "free" VPN is not safe and it is owned by a Chinese company with poor reputation of privacy.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Progress2000 — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 13:43:36 GMT

Please stop using Opera, the company behind it has many shady behaviors. I think vivaldi is better than Opera if you want to use an advanced Chromium based browser.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Waphle_Stomp — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 14:05:02 GMT

I posted about that same bug but my post was deleted by a moderator - I guess they don't like posts which aren't glowing explosions of glee. Brutal, really - ask for feedback and then delete posts they don't like - typical overreaction from mods who get drunk on power. I have to wonder, though, what's the point of asking for feedback if you're not willing to accept all of it? I then received a private message from a mod saying I'm supposed to post bugs in bugzilla, but, I didn't see any option in the browser options or settings informing me of that - perhaps this bugzilla thing can be included in future FF releases so users who don't spend 18 hours / day programming, etc. can know how to report problems instead of having to deal with mods who needlessly delete posts.

My original post:

BUG:

On the default private window in Linux, with no theme changes, the tool tips have white text on a yellow background, making them nigh impossible to read, useless, and very annoying.

FF: 106.0.3 (64-bit)

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

fattywompus — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 05:34:30 GMT

You say private windows were always an "advanced feature" "hidden" in the hamburger menu. I've been using them for ages simply by right clicking on the task bar and selecting "Open a new private window". And this is the same between windows and Linux. And pretty sure I was using private windows before the dopey hamburger menu was even a thing.

Anyway perhaps more people are using it that you realize. It's convenient when you're doing your thing in a non-private window and want to do something real quick that you don't want a million cookies from or screwing with your logged in histories.

But the reason I came here was to object to changing private windows to dark mode without asking. I'm on the fence if I actually like it or not. But it's the principle. If you are going to do something like that then put a checkbox in settings to turn it off without making me search about:config. These type of changes would be less objectionable if they were optional and not done without asking.

And changing the entire theme to light is in no way a fix. I want my system colors respected. Light mode and dark mode are kind of dumb on something that can use system colors (on windows and linux since forever) or have custom themes since forever. I like the idea of private windows being a different color to make it more evident it's a private window but make it an easy to change option, maybe let me decide what color I want it, and don't force it on people who already like the way things work. Tell them it's there and let them choose to try it and you can't go wrong.

And just to throw my general feeling out there, if I wanted some dumbed down, modern, or mobile type experience I'd use chrome or whatever trash is on windows these days. I've been on board here since Netscape Navigator and I feel like user experience peaked around Firefox 51 and it's been a struggle to maintain the way I like to use things with every major update.

If you want to fix or improve something how about when I have a crash or power outage while having both non-private and private windows open have Firefox remember and restore the 50 tabs I have open in the the non-private window instead of the disposable private window. That's infuriating.

Anyway, I still love Mozilla and subscribe to your VPN even though I hardly use it just as a way of supporting you guys. Just stop screwing with things and learn your audience and stop trying to be mainstream and dumbed down.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

t3t4 — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 08:52:09 GMT

The context menu was king, before the kids and cell phones. Now, who knows? But freedom and choice is and will always be very much alive if we have our say. Ask us first what we want, implement second as a trial, tally the results and revert or progress but ask us always! It seems like many steps are being bypassed just to keep up with trending noise. I was never offered a poll or the option to voice my opinion before major changes occurred, where you?

Dark theme. You can't look at white on black in a dark room without that image burned into your retinas! But the world is suddenly all about dark mode, as if new eyes were recently invented or something along those lines. But me telling straight truth, I hate dark mode! See it for 5 seconds and look at it for 5 minutes when you close your eyes. Don't you dare force that crap on me!

Cheers 🍻

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

kremlinbot — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 11:00:37 GMT

Personally, I think of a better realization: make an option to disguise the private windows as normal. For instance:

Private Spoof Mode disabled

The window uses purple colour (see https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/private-windows-should-be-dark-themed-by-default/idi-p/8278#feedback-success)
The window is labelled as "Private Browsing" in top-right corner
Windows uses the special Private Browsing icon
Private Browsing-exclusive New Tab

Private Spoof Mode enabled

The windows uses the same theme as other regular windows
No "Private Browsing" label in top-right corner
Window uses the regular Firefox icon
Default New Tab look, without shortcuts (just Firefox logo and search)
Basically uses the same appearance as any regular FF window, the only difference in the window label (Firefox Private Browsing)

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Justinh — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 22:18:09 GMT

BUG report!

If you RMB > Open In New Window on a bookmark while in a private window, the link will open with a window icon the same as a non-private window. So you have two regular windows/tasks in taskbar and one private, yet two should be shows as private.

I just hope the errant window is indeed a private window!

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

dancutrer — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 23:34:02 GMT

This has been an interesting flow of angst, but I'm wondering, what specific changes is Firefox going to make for the next update? Or, has this been a complete waste of time and bandwidth?

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Krille — Sat, 05 Nov 2022 18:17:27 GMT

I dislike it. The dark theme is ugly, I never use it. I was shocked to see the private windows in the new design and I'm fed up with having to find out how to disable the mess everytime there's an unsolicited user interface change.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

fadedsolivagant — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 09:41:59 GMT

Hi. This different theme for private windows isn't bad. But this is what I get in KDE Plasma desktop.

When the system uses light theme, The private window doesn't get themed at all. But when I set system to dark theme, it's alright. So there are some usability problems here.

I attach screenshots.

System light theme (Look at the buttons)

System dark theme:

Hover text when system theme is light:

@rtestard

I also made a bug report for it.

Re: Private window changes in Firefox 106 - Give us your feedback!

Jon — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 17:29:28 GMT

Thanks for sharing. This seems to be a common feeling in this thread...that users would prefer to have the choice to opt-in to changes or at least be able to easily enable/disable.