How to Stop Your Mac from Opening New Tabs When Clicking Links

Do you find your Mac constantly opening new tabs when clicking links? This can be extremely frustrating, especially when you want to remain in the same tab for ongoing tasks or when you are multitasking. Fortunately, there are simple steps to adjust your web browser settings to prevent this from happening. This guide will walk you through the process for Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox.

1. Safari

To stop Safari from opening new tabs when you click on links, adjust your browser preferences:

Open Safari. Go to Safari Preferences. Click on the Tabs tab. Set the option next to 'Close other tabs' to 'Prompt'.

By default, Safari might have 'Open links in a new tab' selected. Changing this setting to 'Prompt' will prevent new tabs from opening automatically when you click on links.

2. Google Chrome

Google Chrome users can follow these steps to manage new tab opens:

Open Chrome. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings. Scroll down to the Advanced section. Under the Privacy and security section, check the settings related to how links are opened. Hold down Command (?) while clicking links to open them in the current tab.

If you want to set Chrome to not open links in new tabs by default, you will have to use the keyboard method or modify the settings in Chrome's settings panel.

3. Mozilla Firefox

For Mozilla Firefox users, the process to disable automatic new tab opens is straightforward:

Open Firefox. Click on the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner and select Options or Preferences. Go to the Tabs section. Uncheck the option that says 'Open new windows in a new tab page'. However, you might face certain cases where a link's HTML code specifically coded to open in a new tab. In such cases, you can right-click the link and select 'Open in Current Tab'.

Additional Fixes to Try

If you still find your Mac opening new tabs when clicking links, try the following advanced solutions:

Adjust Chrome from Google Account Settings: Begin by managing your Google Account settings to disable specific functionalities. Launch Chrome and find your account on the top right of the screen. Next, click on the Manage Your Google Account option. Go to Activity Control and click on Web and App activity. Disable it and you are done. Remove Plugins and Extensions: Plugins and extensions can cause Chrome to open links in new tabs. Launch Chrome and click on More. Click on More Tools and then Extensions. Click the remove tab below each extension that you want to delete. Disable Apps Running in the Background: Some background apps may force Chrome to open new tabs. Disable them to avoid this issue. Click on the Menu and then click on Settings. Scroll down until you find the Systems part. Click to disable the option that allows apps to run in the background without launching Chrome. Reinstall Google Chrome: If your Chrome installation is corrupted, a fresh installation might resolve the issue. Test for Malware: Run a malware scan to ensure your system is free from harmful files. Modify How to Display Your Search Results: Chrome might open searches in new tabs due to a specific setting. Uncheck the relevant option in the settings. Test for Suspicious Files on Chrome: Ensure you have thoroughly cleaned your system and Chrome for any harmful files. Restore Chrome to Default Settings: Reset all settings to their original default to eliminate built-up data.

Implementing these solutions can help you manage and control how links open in your browser on a Mac. Whether you want to save time or improve your browsing experience, these methods should help you achieve the desired outcome.