Bring back the option to group the private and normal Firefox windows in the taskbar together

[przemo20]

Starting release of Firefox 127.0 the “browser.privateWindowSeparation.enabled” preference stopped working (I believe it was removed in the commit here: https://phabricator.services.mozilla.com/rMOZILLACENTRAL8adde2b08299cbe12d25785fcb0efdabb0057766) and now Firefox private and normal windows have their separate icon in the Windows taskbar. Could you restore that functionality? If not by bringing back the “browser.privateWindowSeparation.enabled” preference on the about:config page, then e.g. add a new setting on the Firefox settings page that does the same thing.

[SWTZR]

Who does this change help? I can see the use for separating the icons for some people, but forcing that on everyone just doesn't make sense. The choice should have been in the regular settings menu, not hidden away in about:config. Please revert this change.

[crocteamgg]

Please change this back, it brings nothing and it's incovenient

[JonesBones]

Mozilla you need to seriously rethink your approach. Firefox was always meant to be the most customizable browser, yet you have messed up again. Is this a further attempt to make yourself stand out from competition? You are already doing that by not having native PWA support and lacking tab customization options.

Right from beginning separating Private window icon was a dumb idea, no other browser has this behavior. Ok add it, but make it opt-in not opt-out. And now opt-out option is removed. It does not make any sense, there is no way this small tweak was bloating Firefox or had to be regularly maintained.

If you want to remove features, start with Pocket.

[Venetia]

We have heard all your feedback and are bringing back the “browser.privateWindowSeparation.enabled” pref as an opt in.

We will be using this bug to track the work.

[Chisonoio]

Thank you very much. I also think there should be an option to configure this in a settings window besides using about:config. I also think a default behavior of "make extra taskbar icons" is unwise.

[Supreme_Star]

Aside from the problem described with Private Browsing make the option to keep private tabs from closing automatically for IoS again cause now every time I fully exit the app I lose hundreds of Private Tabs I had open and this was not an issue I had before your stupid 127.0 update I’m not sure if this relates to the separation config but while your working on this @Venetia and any other Firefox or Mozilla Employee aware of this problem but essentially just bring back the option to keep private tabs from closing when automatically when I exit the app

[techfox]

Thanks for reconsidering and bringing back the preference.

[blakew18]

Considering I saw this revolt coming back when this was in beta and proceed to mention it in Progress2000's discussion about this, I can safely say I told you so!

[FMozilla]

This time we got lucky that 33 people were enough for the devs to revert this silly change. Next time it might take even more voices.

Thanks for listening to reason dev team.

[x24souas]

Has this been fixed? Still seeing separate icons on my taskbar.

[RepulsiveCoder]

Heavily depended on Firefox and Private window. Updates are still pending on my PC when I've seen this changes on my Office laptop.

Thanks for reconsidering and bringing back the preference.

[techfox]

@x24souas Check this message: https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/bring-back-the-option-to-group-the-private-and-normal-firefox/i...

[Chunkothy]

Yes please bring back the option to change it. Why have a private browser option that pops up on your taskbar instead of keeping it more hidden behind the main on the taskbar?

[Akufen]

Do you want me to stop using Firefox? Cause, this is how you get me to stop using Firefox.

[Venetia]

Update: This will be in Fx 128 - we have uplifted this into Fx128 Beta.

We are currently investigating if we can make it available earlier.