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Progress2000
Making moves
Status: Trending idea

Since updated Firefox beta to version 104, a new icon will pop up on taskbar when I open a new private window. I find this very inconvenient. Is it possible to add an option to disable this icon and return to the original behavior before v104 without using about:config?

31 Comments
wingrider6
New member

Tried this (set browser.privateWindowSeparation.enabled to false) and the annoying private tab icon is still  on my taskbar. I have v 106, restarted machine but it's still there. I have not need for "Private tab" so want the whole concept gone! How do I get rid of it?

Gliz
Making moves

Version 106 just installed on my computer, and I can't say I'm terribly happy about not being able to at least toggle the option to open private browsing with it's own icon. I feel like this was a solution to a problem that nobody had.

Progress2000
Making moves

@wingrider6Can you go to about:config and try again? browser.privateWindowSeparation.enabled  to false works for me on Firefox beta v107.0b2

Progress2000
Making moves

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/

temporaldoom
New member

While I understand the motivation behind the separation of private browsing icons, I think it impacts the usability of the UI. I have my frequent apps pinned to exact locations on the Taskbar, if I open private browsing now, a new icon will appear on the right most side of the Taskbar; so now I need to pin BOTH icons to the Taskbar. I use multiple browsers; can you image if they all followed suit? I'll have at least 6 icons on my Taskbar just for browsers. Why do I have/use multiple browsers? Ironically, because of this type of annoying changes that make me switch browsers from time to time.

Status changed to: Trending idea
Jon
Community Manager
Community Manager

Hey all,

Here with an update…

Your idea has received enough votes (kudos) and support here in the Mozilla Connect community to be upgraded to a “Trending idea.” This means it’s now one step closer to reaching our internal teams for review—learn more about The Idea Journey.

Please keep the conversation going and stay tuned for updates 😃

-The Community Team

Fedtsten
New member

Completely agree, and especially with vishal.

I have no need for an extra icon wasting space on my taskbar, and worse, because I use the WIN + 1 shortcut to cycle through Firefox windows, at first I actually thought my incognito windows kept crashing on me - because I could no longer cycle to them!

Also consider that a private window being shown on the taskbar is not very private, but rather the opposite - it's being highlighted instead of being discreet. Personally that's not a concern for me, but it very well may be for many others.

In fact, I have a really hard time envisioning who this change would benefit, to be honest.

Murph1908
New member

I also find the additional icon problematic for a number of reason.  I'll try disabling, but it shouldn't have been forced on users.

Iwantprivacy
New member

I need the private windows to remain within the singular firefox taskbar application. You guys are out of touch if you do not understand the necessity for this. IN-PRIVATE browsing insinuates you want it to be PRIVATE i don't want a HUGE ICON on the BOTTOM OF MY SCREEN telling ANYONE WHO WALKS BY that I am using IN-PRIVATE BROWSING. I do NOT want them to see it. REMEDY THIS

Progress2000
Making moves