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KK1
Making moves
Status: New idea

For now, when we try to input some words in the new tab search box, the ui will jump to the address bar.

This experience is so strange.....

Maybe we can refer to what the Edge do...

Snipaste_2022-04-22_13-29-30.png

26 Comments
etim
Making moves

We used to be able to use the search box at the upper part of the new tab page directly. Now it just puts our query into the URL field and does the search that way.

Not a problem EXCEPT when we try to search for something with dots in it, then we usually get error pages.

For example, When I try to search for: 'The.Last.Days.Of.Ptolemy.Grey. ' all I get is an error page saying, "Hmm. We’re having trouble finding that site."

NOW, when we want to do a search for something like ' The.Last.Days.Of.Ptolemy.Grey', we have to actually type in the search engine's name and go to their site to do the search. That sucks!

This wasn't a problem until a few updates ago; the search box acted like we'd expect a search box to work and show results in a normal fashion. Something changed and it makes the search box superfluous, a waste of space and pretty much a pain in the ass.

vincentj
Making moves

It's also a HUGE security risk.  When I intend to search for a potentially malicious domain name, IP address, or URL, I absolutely DO NOT want to go to that destination; I just want search results to learn more about it.  This handoff behavior bites me all the time, sending me to malicious sites instead of returning search results.

You may be able to disable this in about:config by setting browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar to false.  I'm using an old version of Firefox (v90) so I don't know if that setting still works.

However!  That option does not affect private windows, so my security is still at risk whenever I try to search for information about a malicious site in a private window.

These issues were previously raised and subsequently ignored in Bugzilla.  It absolutely needs to be revisited.

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1699834#c9

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1704156#c3

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1713338

jscher2000
Leader

Hi, this changed around the release of Firefox 89. There is a hidden setting to revert the behavior back to the old "separate bars" arrangement.

(1) 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. Keep in mind that changes made through this back door aren't fully supported and aren't guaranteed to continue working in the future.

(2) In the search box in the page, type or paste handoff and pause while the list is filtered

(3) Double-click the browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar preference to switch the value from true to false

Success?

etim
Making moves

Yes, that fixed it. Thanks to you both!

Johnz96
New member

Typing in the search bar should stay in the search bar rather than go up top

I think Mozilla is the best browser except this stupid change they made nearly a year ago. So annoying if you want edit you search. I have no idea why you would do that.
It so annoying that I am considering using another browser.

jscher2000
Leader

I assume you mean the search bar in the built-in Firefox Home / new tab page. Hopefully a more accessible control will be added for this, but currently, it remains a hidden setting:

(1) 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.

(2) In the search box in the page, type or paste handoff and pause while the list is filtered

(3) Double-click the browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar preference to switch the value from true to false

Success?

KK1
Making moves

Search on new tabs uses search box like Edge

 If you choose this option (Search box), you can type directly in the search box (it will not redirect you to the address bar), and you will be able to search in the search box with Bing and in the omnibox (address bar) with Google (or with any other search engine).

jscher2000
Leader

You can turn off the recent behavior of moving your cursor up to the address bar by changing an obscure setting. However, there is not a way to assign two different default search engines -- one for the address bar and one for the in-page search box -- at this time. I think that could be handy.

Regarding that setting I mentioned:

Here's how you can check on that:

(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 handoff and pause while the list is filtered

(C) Double-click the browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar preference to switch the value from true to false

 

jscher2000
Leader

There is an obscure setting for this, but it's a good idea to make it more accessible.

Here's how you can check on that:

(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 handoff and pause while the list is filtered

(C) Double-click the browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar preference to switch the value from true to false

 

 

Luca_Pavan
Familiar face

You open a new tab, you click on writing field under Firefox logo, you start typing but letters appear on Firefox address bar, but is it normal? Use the address bar for searches and navigation option is active to allow this but it shouldn't prevent the user to write on the Firefox search bar when clicked, it would be just an exception, if the user click the search bar shouldn't he/she use the search bar? The active search bar writing field is highlighted in blue borders so that should be used, regardless to the active Use the address bar for searches and navigation option.