Firefox will no longer warn you when you close multiple tabs, but there is an option to enable it

Mozilla Firefox 94 will no longer warn users when they are about to close a browser window with multiple tabs. Older versions of the Firefox web browser displayed a shutdown message in that case, which acted as a security precaution. Firefox 94 and later will no longer show confirmation, regardless of how the browser window is closed (with one notable exception)

Firefox users have several options when closing the browser, for example using the menu or clicking the close button. It is interesting to note that the keyboard shortcut for closing the browser window is not unified. Windows users should press Ctlr-Shift-Q, while Mac and Linux users should press Ctrl-Q.

An option is provided to disable the message when it is displayed. Firefox up to version 93 has no option in Settings to enable the message again.

Mozilla reveals why it decided to change Firefox’s shutdown indicator on a support page. According to the organization, close actions in the aforementioned contexts are “probably intentional”, and that the warning is “unnecessary” and can generate “unwanted friction”.

Starting with Firefox version 94, Firefox no longer warns you by default when you exit the browser or close a window using a menu, button, or three-key command. Close actions in these particular contexts were likely intentional, and therefore the messages provided unnecessary and perhaps unwanted friction.

Firefox 94 and later versions show a shutdown confirmation message only on Mac and Linux devices, if the two-key shortcut is used, because the risk of accidental shutdown is higher, according to Mozilla.

The only instance where a close modal is enabled by default is for two-key output shortcuts on macOS and Linux. The risk of accidental closure is higher in this context, since the shortcut to exit (? + Q) is next to the shortcut to change the application (? + Tab).

Firefox desktop users can enable or disable the close confirmation message at any time in the browser preferences, starting with Firefox 94.

All that is needed is to load about: preferences in the browser’s address bar and check or uncheck the new “Confirm before closing multiple tabs” option displayed under Tabs on the page.

Veteran Firefox users may remember that advanced browser settings include a preference, browser.tabs.warnOnClose, which determines whether or not the close message is displayed. Just load about: config into Firefox’s address bar, paste the preference in the field at the top, and change it to TRUE (enabled) or FALSE (disabled).

Mozilla plans to release Firefox 94 Stable on November 2, 2021.

Now you: Do you use the close confirmation message?

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