[Tip] How to Restore Classic UI in Mozilla Firefox (Sort of)
Mozilla Firefox newer versions come with the new Photon UI which features several UI changes and enhancements such as colorized titlebar, square tabs, unified address and search bar, revamped new tab page, redesigned Options (preferences) page, etc.
If you don’t like the new user interface and theme and want to restore classic UI in Mozilla Firefox, this tutorial will help you.
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Today in this tutorial, we are going to share some tips to get classic user interface in Firefox. We’ll not use any extra add-on/extension, Stylish script or CSS code. We’ll take help of some built-in options and features to bring back the classic theme and UI in Firefox (sort of).
If you also want to enjoy the classic look-n-feel in Mozilla Firefox, check out following steps:
STEP 1:
First of all we’ll enable the Menubar. Right-click on the titlebar and select “Menu Bar” option:
It’ll activate the classic Menu Bar in Firefox which contains all the required menus and options.
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STEP 2:
Now right-click on titlebar again and select “Customize” option. Alternatively, you can select “Customize” option from main Firefox menu.
It’ll open Customize Firefox window. Now you’ll see “Title Bar” checkbox given at the bottom-left corner of the window. Enable this checkbox and it’ll add the classic titlebar to the Firefox window.
Enabling the titlebar helps in disabling the colorization feature. It removes the Windows 10 accent color from the tabs and toolbar. Titlebar also shows the web page title which gives classic feeling.
STEP 3:
Now we’ll apply the Light theme. Click on “Themes” drop-down box present at the bottom of customize Firefox window and select “Light” theme given in the list.
It’ll change the tab bar and toolbar color to light Gray which looks better than the default color.
STEP 4:
Now we’ll change the toolbar buttons/icons size. Click on “Density” drop-down box present at the bottom of customize Firefox window and select “Compact” option given in the list.
It’ll reduce the size of toolbar buttons which looks more classic in my opinion.
That’s it. Now you are ready to enjoy classic theme and UI in Mozilla Firefox as shown in following screenshot:
BONUS TIPS:
Mozilla has removed the search box from Firefox toolbar, you can restore the search box using following tutorial. It’ll also help you in removing the extra blank space present around the address bar:
[Firefox Tips] Restore Search Box on Toolbar and Remove Extra Spaces Around Address Bar
If you don’t like the redesigned New Tab page, you can restore the classic New Tab page with the help of following tutorial:
[Firefox Tip] Restore Classic New Tab Page in Mozilla Firefox
The “Downloads” button on toolbar is now set to auto-hide and only appears when the browser is downloading something, otherwise it remains hidden. You can show it always using following tutorial:
[Tip] Restore Missing “Downloads” Button on Firefox Toolbar
Also if you are not comfortable with the redesigned Options (about:preferences) page, you can restore classic page using following tutorial:
[Firefox Tip] Restore Old Classic Options (About:Preferences) Page
Also Check:
[Tip] Make Mozilla Firefox Faster by Disabling UI Animations
Great thanks, I am fed up with software changing to these dark backgrounds, so delighted to be able to change it back to a lighter colour.
Our accounting software did this a few years ago and the dark grey background was awful and so many customers complained they had to do something about it. Now HSBC business internet banking has done the same and we have tried complaining to no avail. Who wants the screen flashing black as you go through the three steps of a process?
I guess for me I thought Firefox could have done a lessor change in design and focused more on the internals of speed and security. If there is one thing I dislike about Windows 10 is the boxy sharp drab edges of everything. It’s probably why many still like Windows 7 for its beauty and elegance in terms of UI. Yes, Firefox blends in more now with Windows 10 as a natural part of the OS theme. But is that really a good thing? Actually a good part of Firefox Quantum I like a lot. Mozilla has done wonders to improve the core parts of the browser. But in the end, I just can’t stand the new Photon UI so I may try these hacks, but would rather just have better options to go back.
It’s creepy (LOL), viewing the Windows 10 theme in your screenshots..:) Thankfully (!), it is -still- possible to get a “normal” version of the OS, called: Windows 10 LTSB (Long-term Servicing Branch). Licensing said version is difficult – and sometimes -even- impossible, depending on the region – but, IMO., well worth it! xD
Aanyway, it (sort of, finally!) seems that the Google-Chrome-copying c.ze is coming to an end – with whatever’s happening to Mozilla’s (discontinued!) Firefox OS – so that we may no longer be made to suffer, hehe. My BEST guess is that it’s the result of Google monopolizing the Android OS – by fully integrating the browser…
Much the same like Micro$oft had done, back in the day, with the Internet Exploder and the MSHTML engine, with Windows; and now that the market is “gone”, there may be no more need for Mozilla to be pulling such shenanigans – and we can get more of our favorite (!) browser back!! :))
^^ Everything negative always happens due to some agenda, whether it’s “known” or being concealed from the public eye. :f
to truly get old design you must tinker with userchrome.css files will take few hrs