In the latest Firefox 127 update, users can now enjoy a suite of new features designed to enhance their browsing experience. One of the standout additions is the ability to set Firefox to automatically launch whenever you start or restart your Windows computer. This auto-launch feature optimizes efficiency in our browser-centric digital routines, eliminating manual startup delays and facilitating immediate web access.
Enhanced DNS Prefetching
Firefox 127 has completed work to optimize and enable DNS prefetching for HTTPS documents via the rel="dns-prefetch" link hint. This standard allows web developers to specify domain names for important assets that should be resolved preemptively, thereby speeding up the loading process for users.
Streamlined Tab Management
The new update also brings a handy feature for those who often find themselves with multiple tabs open. It is now possible to close all duplicate tabs in a window with the Close duplicate tabs command available from the "List all tabs" widget in the tab bar or a tab context menu. This feature helps in decluttering your workspace and improving overall browser performance.
Mixed Content Upgrades
Firefox will now automatically try to upgrade img, audio, and video elements from HTTP to HTTPS if they are embedded within an HTTPS page. If these so-called mixed content elements do not support HTTPS, they will no longer load, ensuring a more secure browsing experience.
Enhanced Security for Password Management
For added protection on MacOS and Windows, a device sign-in (e.g., your operating system password, fingerprint, face, or voice login if enabled) can be required when accessing and filling stored passwords in the Firefox Password Manager about:logins page. This extra layer of security ensures that your sensitive information remains protected.
Notable Changes
To reduce user fingerprinting information and mitigate some website compatibility issues, the CPU architecture for 32-bit x86 Linux will now be reported as x86_64 in Firefox’s User-Agent string and navigator.platform and navigator.oscpu Web APIs.
Links and other focusable elements are now tab-navigable by default on macOS, instead of following macOS’ “Keyboard navigation” setting. This is a more accessible default and matches the default in all other platforms. A checkbox in the settings page still allows users to restore the old behavior.
Improved Screenshots Feature
The Screenshots feature in Firefox has received a significant update. It now supports taking screenshots of file types like SVG, XML, and more, as well as various about: pages within Firefox. Additionally, the screenshot tool has been made more accessible with new keyboard shortcuts, theme compatibility, and High Contrast Mode (HCM) support. Performance for capturing large screenshots has also been improved.
With these updates, Firefox 127 continues to refine its user experience, making it a more efficient, secure, and accessible browser for all.