Force Safari to use one window only

Safari One of the things that has kept me using Firefox over the last few years is Safari's insistence on opening links in new windows, rather than a new tab in the current window. It drives me nuts. I hate having multiple windows open.

Thankfully, the latest version of Safari (3.1) has a hidden feature that forces all links to open in a new tab, rather than a new window — even the stubborn sites like Google and Gmail finally stay in a single window.

All you have to do is open Terminal from your Applications/Utilities folder and enter the following:

defaults write com.apple.Safari TargetedClicksCreateTabs -bool true

Hit the enter key and you're all set.

To reverse it...

Wed, 04/02/2008 - 08:48 — Aaron

...for those would want to later, would it be this?:

defaults write com.apple.Safari TargetedClicksCreateTabs -bool false

I'm not really Terminal savvy so I like to make sure I can reverse anything I tinker with.

Thanks for the tip, I will enjoy the feature!

This is awesome! Thanks...

Wed, 04/02/2008 - 09:03 — Micha (not verified)

This is awesome! Thanks...

Couldn't you just open

Wed, 04/02/2008 - 09:22 — Websnap (not verified)

Couldn't you just open Safari, go to Preferences (or click Command + ,) and under the "General" tab click "Open links from applications: in a new tab in current window"? ANd while your at it, under the "Safari" menus drop-down, select "Block Pop-Up Windows". Seems simpler than using terminal for those who don't like to mess with it.

You're reading this blog for

Wed, 04/02/2008 - 21:15 — adjocky

You're reading this blog for a reason, right? Open terminal, paste, close the program, enjoy results.

Unfortunately, no.

Thu, 04/03/2008 - 12:45 — James

Couldn't you just open Safari, go to Preferences (or click Command + ,) and under the "General" tab click "Open links from applications: in a new tab in current window"

Unfortunately, no. That doesn't work all the time. If it did, there would be no reason for this tip.

Command-clicking any link in

Wed, 04/02/2008 - 09:24 — Websnap (not verified)

Command-clicking any link in Safari also opens the link in a tab in your current window.

FYI.

Or you could just keep

Wed, 04/02/2008 - 10:49 — Pete

Or you could just keep selecting 'Merge All Windows' in Safari's menu every time a new window opens...

Work With Pete!