Limit the maximum number of tabs that can be open at the same time.
xTab Extension
You can set the tab limit to any number and choose what tab should be removed when you hit that limit:
- Least recently used (default)
- Least accessed
- Oldest
You can alternatively block new tabs from opening completely once the limit has been reached.
Pinned tabs, tabs playing audio, and tabs that you have never visited (opened in the background) will not be closed.
If you are looking to install in an enterprise environment and customize settings using a group policy please contact us here: https://xtab.app
Note that after the extension is installed, if you do not change the default settings, it will close any tabs you have open beyond a 20 tab limit. For example, if you have 50 tabs open when the extension is installed, the next tab you open will remove 30 tabs. You can avoid this behavior by changing the default settings as soon as it is installed.
NOTE that a new tab opens when the extension is updated to version 2.0. This is a one time thing that is required to transfer the settings over to the new version which uses a different storage mechanism. This is required for changes related to manifest v3.
Changes
v2.0.4
- Fixes issue where if the maximum number of tabs is set to 0, you may not be able to open a new browser window
v2.0.3
- Fixed “Block without warning” behavior on Microsoft Edge when using the `block` algorithm
v2.0.2
- Fixed issue introduced in version 2.0.0 where in some cases you may be allowed to open more tabs than your limit and then when you go to open the next one, it may close tabs that do not match your current setting. This has to do with the manifest v3 updates mandated by Google. Extensions have to use service workers and the workers get automatically killed every five minutes. This update preserves the state in session storage so when the service worker starts again, it works properly
- Fixed issue where the migration tab may not run if you are at your tab limit and using `block` algorithm
- Fixed issue where sometimes tabs may close at browser startup when using `block` algorithm and “block without warning”
- Fixed styles in the xTab popup
v2.0.1
- Make sure migration tab launches in the background
v2.0.0
- Updated extension to support manifest v3
- Updated storage to use chrome.storage API instead of localStorage directly
- Changed default behavior when using “block” algorithm to block without warning (This change in v1.0.0 was questionable and a little confusing so this restores the previous behavior)
v1.0.1
- Updated extension to remove advertisement in favor of a donation link
v1.0.0
- Rearchitected to support additional functionality and custom builds.
- Updated the pop up UI to make it simpler to understand what the different options do
- Added an option to prevent tabs that are playing audio from being closed by the extension (enabled by default)
- Added an option to recycle existing tabs. This means that instead of closing an old tab it will reuse the old tab and move it into the new position. This allows you to use the back button to get back to a tab that has been closed (disabled by default)
- Added a page that shows up in place of a new tab if you have the extension set to block new tabs from opening (enabled by default)
- Added an option to block tabs from opening without showing a page (disabled by default)
- Added new xTab logo to popup menu
- Updated extension icon
- Updated extension logo
- Improved handling of tabs you have never been to
- Decreased amount of time until a tab is considered active to prevent cases where sometimes a tab doesn’t get closed even though you have been to it
- Reduced number of options in tab limit dropdown
v0.2.1
- Updated copy in popup to be more clear
v0.2.0
- Added option to block new tabs from opening instead of auto closing an older tab
- Handled cases where the tab id could change for an existing tab
- Improved handling of tabs you have never been to so they are less likely to be closed in different modes
v0.1.6
- Fixed issue that would cause this extension to sometimes not work if a configuration value was missing in local storage
v0.1.5
- Added timer to only consider a tab active after it has been open for a few seconds
- Updated to handle tabs that were open before the extension was installed.
v0.1.4
- Updated background page to be persistent
v0.1.3
- Fixed issue where sometimes tabs you haven’t been to could still be closed.
v0.1.2
- Updated to prevent closing tabs you have never been to (for example if command clicking to open tabs in the background)
v0.1.1
- Fixed issue where sometimes the active tab would be closed
Source Manifest.json
How to download and manually install xTab extension for Chrome
Looking for a way to install xTab extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.
However, you may need to install xTab extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install xTab extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.
Method 1: Download xTab extension and manually install through Drag &Drop
If you ever need to manually install a xTab extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.
Step 1: Download the xTab Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.
Look for the xTab extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the xTab extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for xTab extension that contains all the data.
Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files
Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.
Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page
Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.
Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension
Now, go to the folder where you extracted the xTab extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.
Step 5: Complete the Installation
Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.
Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.
Method 2: Download xTab extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode
This is another method to install xTab extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.
Step 1: Download the xTab extension file
Select and download the xTab extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.
Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents
Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the xTab extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your xTab extension running.
Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page
In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.
Step 4: Enable Developer Mode
After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.
Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension
Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."
Step 6: Select the Extension Folder
Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the xTab extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.
Step 7: Confirm and Install
After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.
Conclusion
Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install xTab extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.
Similar Extensions
Tab-less 40,000+ 48 ★ 20.83KiB
Tab Limiter 40,000+ 33 ★ 159KiB
Delayed Gratification 40,000+ 65 ★ 55.97KiB
Max Tabs 40,000+ 4 ★ 35.65KiB
3 Tabs Only 40,000+ 17 ★ 37.33KiB
TabZolo 40,000+ 15 ★ 49.74KiB
DF Tube (Distraction Free for YouTube™) 40,000+ 1051 ★ 84.13KiB
Clutter Free - Prevent duplicate tabs 40,000+ 203 ★ 411KiB
Tab limit 40,000+ 8 ★ 8.98KiB
HabitLab 40,000+ 31 ★ 5.49MiB
RescueTime for Chrome and Chrome OS 40,000+ 244 ★ 156KiB
Tabs Outliner 40,000+ 3291 ★ 1.49MiB
'Nuff Tabs 40,000+ 21 ★ 13.35KiB
Close Tabs 40,000+ 187 ★ 72.56KiB
Grayscale the Web - Save Sites 40,000+ 78 ★ 45.45KiB
Tab Wrangler 40,000+ 927 ★ 386KiB
Intention - Stop Mindless Browsing 40,000+ 886 ★ 3.17MiB
Tab Organizer 40,000+ 40 ★ 8.1KiB
Strict Workflow 40,000+ 1172 ★ 187KiB
Tab Sorter 40,000+ 79 ★ 404KiB
Webtime Tracker 40,000+ 680 ★ 37.95KiB
Keepin' Tabs – tabs manager 40,000+ 92 ★ 967KiB
Quick Tabs 40,000+ 544 ★ 136KiB
Pause - Stop Mindless Browsing 40,000+ 116 ★ 806KiB
User reviews
aki toshi (ID: 000000c71daa03ea) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 05/29/2024
Daniel Oliveira (ID: 000000fcd2680451) Voted 4 ★ - Updated 09/13/2023
Brian (ID: 000000a827b8737a) Voted 1 ★ - Updated 05/16/2023
Vishw (ID: 0000001e0016c472) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 12/19/2022
Dat Nguyen Ba (ID: 000000a0e4890e0f) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 07/19/2022