Firefox Autocomplete: Only Show Manually Typed URLs

Refining Firefox Autocompletion for Enhanced User Experience

Following experimentation with enabling inline auto-completion within the address bar, a realization emerged regarding browser history links. It became apparent that these links frequently appear in the autocompletion list despite rarely being directly typed by the user.

Subsequent investigation revealed a configuration setting within Firefox designed to restrict autocompletion to only those links entered manually. This functionality proves particularly beneficial for individuals who frequently utilize bookmarklets or initiate searches directly from the address bar.

Understanding the Setting

It’s important to acknowledge that this adjustment isn’t universally applicable, but understanding its functionality is valuable. The setting allows for a more tailored browsing experience.

To implement this change, navigate to about:config in the address bar. Then, utilize the filter function to locate the following key:

browser.urlbar.matchOnlyTyped

A double-click on this value will toggle it to true. This modification will immediately prevent links sourced from browsing history from appearing in the autocompletion suggestions.

Maintaining Manual Input Autocompletion

Links that are actively typed into the address bar will continue to be automatically completed as expected. This ensures that frequently used, manually entered addresses remain readily accessible.

Customization and Browser Flexibility

The ability to personalize browser settings is a significant advantage. Firefox’s configuration options empower users to optimize their browsing experience according to individual preferences and workflows.

This level of control allows for a more efficient and focused browsing session, catering to diverse user needs.