Firefox is my preferred browser and whenever it needs to update I allow it to do so. I have rarely ever had problems doing this. But in the latest 4.01 release I’ve run into a weird error.
In Windows 7 you can middle-click a taskbar icon to spawn a new window. I have found this to be one of the best features and I use it all the time. But Firefox 4.01 doesn’t seem to allow it any more. If I middle click on the taskbar, the taskbar with flash with the usual animation but the window doesn’t open.
I thought I had a workaround with the mouse software which allows custom mapping. But this had the side effect of disabling quick scrolling, which is also done by middle-clicking the mouse. I use quick scrolling all the time too.
I have no idea how to fix this and I am not sure if it’s possible to roll Firefox back to version 4.0. Does anyone know if this is a known issue and if it will be fixed? Or if there is a way I can fix it myself?
Well, I am in FF 4.01 under Windows 7 (64 bit) right now, and all the middle click behaviors you mention are working normally, as you describe them. My guess would be that your problems are not really caused by the Firefox upgrade at all - the timing might be just a coincidence. Does your mouse behave normally when FF is not running? Maybe you need to reinstall your mouse driver.
No, I’m certain it’s something in FF itself. The funny thing is middle click works for any other programs and also works within Firefox for opening a link in a new tab. It’s just clicking on the taskbar that refuses to work now and only for Firefox.
If you use any Firefox extensions, try disabling them one by one. Extensions are often incompatible with newer versions of Firefox, causing all sorts of weirdness.
True, but 4.0.1 shouldn’t be having such problems, as it’s all security-based and cosmetic fixes. If it is, then there’s something wrong with the extension, and you probably need to report the problem to the developer of that extension.
several people, now including myself, are unable to replicate your issue - in troubleshooting, this would tend to indicate that the issue is not with FF, but with your FF. have you tried unpinning and repinning FF to your task bar? I would also try completely uninstalling FF and re-installing if needed. although the recommendation to disable all extensions first might be a good way to go as well.