Filed under: Windows, Mozilla, Beta, Browsers
Firefox 3.7 adds per-tab taskbar thumbnails (like IE8) on Windows 7
by Lee Mathews Oct 14th 2009 at 11:00AM
Now the latest trunk build includes support for per-tab thumbnail previews just like Internet Explorer 8. And just like IE8, the magic works across multiple instances. If you have two Minefield windows open at the same time, you'll get previews for both.
On my 1280x800 laptop screen, I can fit as many as ten previews with the taskbar docked at the bottom or seven on the left where I normally park it. With more tabs open, you'll list view with favicons (again like IE8).Not a fan of the thumbnails? They're easy enough to shut off. Just head to about:config and search for taskbar.previews. You'll see options to set the maximum number to display as well as the true/false toggle for browser.taskbar.previews.enable. Double click that value, and the change is instant - just keep your eyes on the taskbar icon.
Personally, I enjoy the feature for tab management. It's handy to be able to close tabs without first activating them in Firefox.
To take the new build for a spin, head over to the Firefox nightlies and download the installer.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jayayess1190 said 11:19AM on 10-14-2009
Taskbar previews have been in from a couple builds ago.
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ZeRo said 11:43AM on 10-14-2009
Just Chill, I haven't used ff since 3.5 (switched to chrome) seeing thumbnails sort of make me want to go back to ff. Without Matt's review i wouldn't have known that smart-ass... even if it was a few builds ago.
Penguin said 11:44AM on 10-14-2009
Yes, and they are really buggy. A lot of the time, the tabs won't even render. They are just stuck with that spinning waiting cursor thing.
whiskey said 11:50AM on 10-14-2009
"Now the latest trunk build includes support for per-tab thumbnail previews just like Internet Explorer 8. And just like IE8, the magic works across multiple instances."
You wanted to say like Opera, right?
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INTERNET SUPERHERO said 11:50AM on 10-14-2009
Firefox developers just need to concentrate on making Firefox boot faster. I'm starting to get spoiled by Chromes instant start-up time but the functionality of Firefox won't let me get rid of it....
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Scott said 11:56AM on 10-14-2009
Is there a way to turn it off? It really bothers me, and I preferred only my windows.
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Lee Mathews said 11:57AM on 10-14-2009
Scott, check the end of the post. It's an option on your about:config page in Minefield.
Scott said 11:58AM on 10-14-2009
Great! Thanks!
DAJ said 11:58AM on 10-14-2009
Bloatware
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PS_4 said 9:19PM on 10-14-2009
Agreed. How long before we see FF light?
Drew Green said 1:05PM on 10-14-2009
Why 3.7 and not 3.6?
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Patrick #2 said 1:09PM on 10-14-2009
As Whiskey noted, Opera has done this for a long time, why compare it to that garbage IE 8?
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Lee Mathews said 2:17PM on 10-14-2009
Previous comment reply: taskbar thumbnails, not in-browser. Opera doesn't do Win7 shell integration, AFAIK.
Tim said 2:07PM on 10-14-2009
Presumably, it doesn't "work across multiple instances". Multiple windows aren't the same as multiple instances. A different instance would use a different profile, using the -no-remote switch. But I haven't verified this.
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Anura Guruge said 3:50PM on 1-11-2010
I installed FireFox 3.6 rc1 today (Jan. 11, 2010) on Windows 7 and have used it for a few hours.
I always have two instances of FireFox ... on a dual-monitor configuration, with one instance on each -- with each instance supporting 5-8 open tabs.
http://windows7professional.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/windows-7-just-installed-firefox-3-6-release-candidate-one-rc1/
Had trouble with FireFox 3.5.7. Very unstable with Windows 7.
Noticed one major change with FireFox 3.6. New tabs open ADJACENT to the tab from which you are opening the tab. In prior versions, new tabs appeared at the right-hand end. I have documented this too.
Thanks. Keeping fingers crossed that FireFox 3.6 is a GOOD release. Can't wait for 3.7.
Anura
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