Mozilla’s browser has a new look and has a new interface, as well as new functions to make its use more convenient. Here’s how to take advantage of it.
With version 57, also called Quantum, Mozilla takes Firefox to a new level. Faster, the browser benefits from a new interface resulting from the Photon initiative. Those used to previous versions will be a little confused because new functions are arriving while the old ones are no longer necessarily placed in the same place. Here’s how to master the new interface.
1 – Find the search area
If you install Firefox without updating from a previous version, you will find that there is no longer a search box at the top of the screen. Mozilla plays the unified zone card which is used for both addresses and searches. If that doesn’t suit you, however, it is possible to revert to old habits.
- Click on the general menu, an icon made up of three horizontal bars and placed at the top right, then on Options.
- Click on Research in the list on the left.
- Click on Add the search bar to the toolbar.
2 – Change the color and density of the interface
Firefox has new interface customization options. To access it, click on the main menu icon then on Personalize. At the bottom of the window, you have the Themes list with in particular one of light type and one of dark type. For example, the dark theme is useful to avoid straining your eyes because it has a black background.
Still at the bottom of the screen, it is possible to choose between three densities. For example, the Touch density increases the size of items to make them easier to touch on a touchscreen.
3 – Adjust your privacy settings
Firefox 57 adds new settings for privacy and security. In particular, it is possible to authorize or prohibit access to elements such as the camera, the microphone or the location.
- Click on the Main Menu, then on Options from the drop-down list.
- Click on Privacy and security in the list on the left.
- In the section Permissions, you can change the settings for different items and choose which websites can access them.
4 – Check the add-ons
If you regularly use add-ons in Firefox, beware. Mozilla now only allows extensions that conform to the WebExtensions cross-browser system. To check if your current add-ons are accepted:
- Click on the Main Menu, top right, then on Additional modules.
- Click in the left list on Extensions to see which ones are compatible with Firefox 57.
- Click in the list on Non supported to check which ones are refused. For each extension considered obsolete, a button is present to try to Find an equivalent module that is compatible.
5 – Find the grouped functions
To simplify the interface, Mozilla has decided to group certain functions in menus accessible through two icons.
The first is located just to the right of the unified search box and looks like three small dots. It groups together all the actions that can be performed on the current Web page, for example adding it to favorites or putting it aside using the Pocket function.
The second is located completely at the top right and evokes in a stylized way the edges of books. This “library” groups together bookmarks, the Pocket list, as well as history, downloads, synchronized tabs and screenshots.
6 – Take screenshots
Firefox 57 has a built-in screenshot feature, but it currently does not work in incognito mode. To use it:
- Click on three dots icon located to the right of the search bar.
- Choose Take a screenshot from the drop-down list.
- You can then click on the icons Capture full page Where capture visible area, but also make your own selection, either by clicking on an area of the page, or by delimiting an area while holding the mouse button down.
Finally, all you have to do is click on the button located under the zone to save the capture.