This guide explains how to customize Firefox virtual desktop behavior using new preferences introduced in Firefox version 145.0a1. If you frequently use multiple virtual desktops on your operating system, you know how important it is for applications to behave predictably when opening new windows or restoring sessions. Firefox now gives you fine-grained control over this, allowing you to decide whether new windows open on your current desktop or return to their original one. This helps streamline your workflow and keep your digital workspaces organized exactly how you like them.
What You’ll Need
- Firefox version 145.0a1 or newer.
- An operating system that supports virtual desktops (e.g., Windows 10/11, macOS, most Linux distributions).
How It Works
Modern operating systems allow you to create multiple virtual desktops to separate your applications and tasks. For example, you might have one desktop for development work and another for communication. By default, applications have their own logic for deciding which desktop to open a new window on. With version 145.0a1, Firefox introduces advanced preferences that let you override this default behavior.
These settings are managed through the `about:config` page, Firefox”s advanced settings editor. Two new boolean preferences are available: widget.prefer_windows_on_current_virtual_desktop controls where new windows from external links open, and browser.sessionstore.restore_windows_to_virtual_desktop dictates how windows are placed when you restore a previous session. By toggling these settings, you can tailor the Firefox virtual desktop behavior to match your multi-desktop workflow perfectly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Customize Firefox Virtual Desktop Behavior
- Access Advanced Configuration: Open a new tab in Firefox, type
about:configinto the address bar, and press Enter. You may see a warning page; accept the risk to proceed. - Control New Window Placement: In the search bar at the top of the `about:config` page, enter
widget.prefer_windows_on_current_virtual_desktop. This preference controls whether new windows (like those from an external link) open on the desktop you are currently using. - Set Your New Window Preference: By default, this preference is not set, but its default behavior is typically to open on the current desktop. You can explicitly set it to
trueto force new windows to open on your active virtual desktop, orfalseto have them potentially open on a different desktop where another Firefox window is already open. Use the toggle button to change the value. - Control Session Restore Placement: Next, search for
browser.sessionstore.restore_windows_to_virtual_desktop. This preference determines where windows are placed when you restore a previous browsing session. - Set Your Session Restore Preference: By default, this is
true, meaning Firefox will try to restore windows to the virtual desktops they were on when you last closed the browser. Set it tofalseif you prefer all restored windows to consolidate onto your current virtual desktop for a fresh start. - Restart Firefox: For the changes to take full effect, close all Firefox windows and restart the browser.
Use Cases & Examples
- Dedicated Workspaces: Imagine you use one virtual desktop for coding and another for project management tools. You can set
widget.prefer_windows_on_current_virtual_desktoptotrue. Now, when you click a link in your code editor, the new Firefox window opens right there on your development desktop, preventing you from being pulled into a different context. - Consistent Session Restoration: If you arrange specific Firefox windows across multiple desktops for different projects, you”ll want them back in the same place after a restart. By ensuring
browser.sessionstore.restore_windows_to_virtual_desktopis set totrue(the default), your carefully organized workspace is preserved every time you relaunch Firefox. - Consolidated Startup: Perhaps you prefer to start your day with a clean slate. By setting
browser.sessionstore.restore_windows_to_virtual_desktoptofalse, all your previously open Firefox windows will restore onto the single virtual desktop you”re on when you launch the browser. This allows you to re-organize your windows as needed for the day”s tasks. The updated Firefox virtual desktop behavior makes this possible.
Common Issues
- Problem: Changes are not applying: The most common reason is that Firefox needs a full restart to apply these low-level window management settings. Ensure all Firefox windows and processes are closed before relaunching.
- Problem: Cannot find the preferences in about:config: Double-check your spelling and make sure you are running Firefox 145.0a1 or a newer version. These preferences will not exist in older versions.
- Problem: Window behavior is still not what I expect: Your operating system”s window manager or other third-party utilities might also influence window placement. Try disabling them temporarily to see if they are interfering with Firefox”s settings. You can also reset the preferences to their default values in `about:config` to start over.
What’s Next
- Explore Other Window Management Prefs: The `about:config` page contains many other preferences related to session restore and window behavior. Search for terms like “window” or “session” to see what other customizations are possible.
- Use Firefox Profiles: For even stronger separation of contexts, consider using Firefox Profiles. You can create separate profiles for work and personal use, each with its own settings, bookmarks, and extensions.
- Leverage Container Tabs: If you want to isolate sites within a single window, Firefox”s Multi-Account Containers extension is a powerful tool for separating cookies and site data.
Related Resources
- Official Firefox Release Notes
- Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) documentation