Hi Juhan, there is a hidden way to control this:
(A) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button accepting the risk.
More info on about:config: Configuration Editor for Firefox. Please keep in mind that changes made through this back door aren't fully supported and aren't guaranteed to continue working in the future.
(B) In the search box in the page, type or paste inback and pause while the list is filtered
Firefox should display several preferences that control when it will activate a newly opened tab. In upside down order:
- browser.tabs.loadInBackground => this is the preference that has a checkbox on the Settings page, and it applies when you personally direct a link in a web page to a new tab using right-click > Open Link in New Tab, or Ctrl+click (on Mac, Command+click), or middle-click with the mouse wheel
- browser.tabs.loadDivertedInBackground => this preference covers links that the page directed to a pop-up window but which Firefox opened in a new tab instead
- browser.tabs.loadBookmarksInBackground => this preference is the one you are looking for today
- browser.search.context.loadInBackground => this preference relates to searches you run by selecting text in a page, right-clicking, and choosing Search [your default search engine] for "[selected text]"
(C) To change a preference from false (switch to the new tab) to true (do not switch to the new tab), double-click the preference or click the "toggle" button near the right end of its row. Same to switch back if you change your mind.
Does that change work for you?
I know it would be more convenient if all of these were on the Settings page, but... every few years they simplify it again because too many things have accumulated, so I wouldn't hold out a lot of hope.
