New tabs open immediately instead of in the background

Latest Version

Version
3.2.1
Update
May 19, 2022
Size
6.14KiB
Developer
Category
Users
50,000+
Rating
4.06923 ★
Manifest Version
3
Web Store Status
Languages Support
English (United States)
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Permissions
Tabs
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Tab Activate Extension

Concerns Regarding Required Permissions

Please read the detailed description of required permissions (below) and why they are necessary. Without them, Tab Activate could not work as described. Absolutely no data is changed or collected.

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Description

When you open a link in a new tab, Chrome opens the new tab in the background and provides no option to switch to it immediately.

With Tab Activate, new tabs open immediately instead of in the background.

To override Tab Activate and open a new tab in the background, press the Shift key while opening the new tab. Note: Override does not work for bookmarks.

Tab Activate effectively reverses Chrome's new tab focus behavior.

In other browsers, this setting is called: \"When you open a link in a new tab, switch to it immediately.\"

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Required Permissions

Read and change all your data on the websites you visit:
Required to detect when the Shift key is pressed (no website data is read or changed)

Due to limitations in the Chrome extension API, the only way to detect if the Shift key is being pressed is with the required permissions. Absolutely no data is changed or collected.

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Changes

Version 3.2
Refactored code.
No longer requires bookmarks permission (bookmarks still work).

Version 3.1
Improved Shift key detection when the window loses focus.
Improved error handling.
Fixed a console error.

Version 3.0
Updated to Chrome Manifest V3.

Version 2.1
New icon.
Fixed issues created by Chrome 79 extension API changes.

Version 2.0
As requested, bookmarks are now supported.

Version 1.2
New tabs open to the right of the previous tab and new background tabs open at the end.

Version 1.1
Shift key overrides Tab Activate and opens new tabs in the background.

Version 1.0
Initial release.
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Source Manifest.json

{ "background": { "service_worker": "background.js" }, "content_scripts": [ { "js": [ "content.js" ], "matches": [ "" ], "run_at": "document_idle" } ], "description": "New tabs open immediately instead of in the background", "icons": { "128": "icon128.png", "48": "icon48.png" }, "manifest_version": 3, "name": "Tab Activate", "permissions": [ "tabs" ], "update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx", "version": "3.2.1"}
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How to download and manually install Tab Activate extension for Chrome

Looking for a way to install Tab Activate 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 Tab Activate extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install Tab Activate extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.

Method 1: Download Tab Activate extension and manually install through Drag &Drop

If you ever need to manually install a Tab Activate 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 Tab Activate Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.

Look for the Tab Activate extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the Tab Activate extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for Tab Activate 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 Tab Activate 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 Tab Activate extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode

This is another method to install Tab Activate 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 Tab Activate extension file

Select and download the Tab Activate 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 Tab Activate 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 Tab Activate 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 Tab Activate 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 Tab Activate extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.

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User reviews

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Gary Quiring (ID: 000000b990739f6c) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 11/20/2024 No longer working with Facebook. It opens new tabs with blank results.

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Patrick Nelson (ID: 0000003d47f694da) Voted 2 ★ - Updated 06/13/2024 Edit: Seems very buggy now in newer versions of chrome (currently at v126.x). I have to keep manually disabling/enabling the extension in order to get it to start properly opening new tabs. --- Extremely simple. Works better than "Switch To New Tab" which I've used for years. I'm a developer, so I audited the code and can verify that it's extremely simple and doesn't do anything with it's access. In fact, it really doesn't need the requested permissions, because pressing shift when clicking opens in a new window anyway, so it has no practical effect anymore. That's why I reduced this by 1 star. It requires permissions it doesn't really actually need (at least not anymore). The author should update this!

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Xen Uno (ID: 0000001a645c0665) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 11/04/2023 Operates well with Open Last Tab. Well done! Slowly bringing Tab Mix + functionality to Chrome/Brave piece by piece

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Mithilesh TEELOCK (ID: 0000008aa978eef2) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 08/27/2023 @teel0ck

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Robert Paulsen (ID: 000000b2b5ed3398) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 07/30/2023 In other browsers, this setting is called: "When you open a link in a new tab, switch to it immediately." That better describes what is the essential behavior of this extension. I care little if it is slightly less than immediate -- take whatever time is needed to open the link, but switch to it when you do.