How to Change Close Tab Button Preferences in Firefox

Changing Firefox's close tab button preferences can add to your browser's functionality by making Firefox work in the way that's most accessible for you. Simply access Firefox's about:config file and begin tweaking the way Firefox handles close tab buttons in used tabs.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Open Firefox. Select "File" and "New Tab" from the browser's menu.

2. Type "about:config" in the address bar of the new tab.

3. Wait for the list to populate. In the "Filter" field, enter "browser.tabs.closeButtons."

4. Double-click on the entry and let a pop up entitled "Enter Integer Value" show on your screen. This pop up will be separate from the "about:config" window.

5. Decide how you'd like to modify your close tab button preferences. If you'd only like a close tab button to show on an active tab, type "0" in the field. To remove all close tab buttons, enter "2." If you'd like your Firefox browser tabs to behave like previous versions of Firefox, when only one close tab button existed at the end of the toolbar, put "3" in the field. Keep your preference default and have all tabs show a close tab button by entering "1."

6. Click "OK" to apply your new close tab preferences.

7. Exit out of the "about:config" window, close any existing tabs and shut down Firefox. Restart Firefox and open new tabs to see your new close tab preferences.

Tips & Warnings

• Firefox has extensions that you can download to easily change your close tab preferences. However, these extensions may take up valuable Firefox memory and slow down your browser. To keep your browser free of unnecessary clutter, simply use the above methods instead of downloading the extensions.
• Experiment with the close tab preferences to find your preferred close tab activity. Enter the field value as "1" if none of the other close tab preferences suit you and you'd prefer to restore your old close tab functionality.