Hide Firefox Status Bar Items - Declutter Your Browser
Decluttering the Firefox Status Bar
A significant advantage of using Firefox lies in its extensive library of extensions, allowing for substantial browser customization. However, the accumulation of icons and widgets from these extensions can lead to a cluttered status bar, resembling a complex control panel.
Fortunately, a straightforward solution exists to conceal these extra items until they are needed. A user style is available that effectively hides all non-essential status bar elements, preserving the standard Firefox interface.
The hidden items reappear when the mouse cursor is moved over the status bar, offering a seamless and efficient user experience. This functionality is remarkably effective and enhances overall browser usability.
Installing the Auto-Hide Style
To implement this Stylish script, the Stylish extension must first be installed. Following installation, simply click the "Load into Stylish" button located on the user style's webpage (links provided at the end of this article).
You will then be prompted to save the style. Upon completion of the installation process, the status bar will be noticeably cleaner.
Normal link functionality remains unaffected, as demonstrated by the continued operation of link previews.
The concealed icons and widgets are readily accessible when the mouse cursor is positioned over the status bar.
While not entirely flawless, this method functions effectively with the majority of extensions and has become an essential component of my personal browser configuration.
Removing the Auto-Hide Style
To uninstall this feature, click the Stylish icon and select "Manage Styles" from the displayed menu.
You can either deselect the style by removing the checkmark beside it, or select the style and click the "Delete" button.
It’s worth noting that this was tested on both Firefox 2 and Firefox 3 beta 3.
- Download Stylish from Mozilla Add-ons
- Download Statusbar "Mouseover for Clutter" User Style from userstyles.org