two firefox windows are opened when clicking on external link in catalina macOS

Change your default browser back to Safari and test.

Then switch back to your third party FF and test.

You can trouble shoot this with FF support:

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1199017

To trouble shoot further you can:

Try a SafeBoot https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262

Takes noticeable longer to get to the login screen, does a 5-15 minute disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, including dynamic loader cache, etc. Login and test. Reboot and test.

This test will tell you if third party interference; extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.

Test issue in another user (or guest user) account  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204443

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 

.

Based on the status of bug Bug 1600153 which I opened, this won't be fixed until at least Firefox 73.

https://wiki.mozilla.org/Release_Management/Calendar

Tracking Status

firefox71 --- wontfix

firefox72 --- wontfix

firefox73 --- affected

Just checking the issue, it appears to be a Firefox problem. However, it doesn't happen if Firefox is already open. It doesn't occur with Safari or any Chrome-based browser.

Mozilla has reopened the bug...

-------------

Do not reply to this email. You can add comments to this bug athttps://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1600153

Florencia Di Ciocco changed Bug 1600153 at 2019-12-04 05:49:57 PST:

WhatRemovedAddedComponentUntriagedNew Tab PageEver confirmed 1ResolutionWORKSFORME---StatusRESOLVEDREOPENEDstatus-firefox72unaffectedaffectedstatus-firefox73unaffectedaffected

Comment # 7 on Bug 1600153 from Florencia Di Ciocco at 2019-12-04 05:49:57 PST

Hi,

Thanks for the details. I apologize for the inconveniences, you are correct, I was able to reproduce the bug on Mac Catalina on the following versions:

Release 71.0 (64-bit), and Nightly 73.0a1 (2019-12-04) (64-bit).

I've chosen a component. If you consider that there's another component that's more proper for this case you may change it.

Best regards, Flor.

This is a setting in FireFox preferences. see pic under "tabs" notice what is checked.

You would also need to make Firefox default browser

Hope this helps....

alanmalk wrote:

This did not happen until my switch to Catalina a few days ago.

It's a Firefox issue. Mozilla needs to update Firefox for Catalina.

I've tried this with a new/fresh user account under Catalina. Same results... two firefox windows still open up when clicking an email link or link on the desktop.

As mentioned in the posts above yours, Mozilla is aware of the problem.

Hi there, thehabe03.

I see that, since upgrading your Mac to macOS Catalina, Firefox opens two different windows when you select a link. I'm glad to help.

If an app won't run or install on your Mac after you upgrade macOS -- This article provides the information and steps that you need when an application isn't working as expected after you upgrade your Mac.

Take care.

I am having the exact same issue. This happened immediately after my upgrade to 10.15.0, and still continues in 10.15.1.

Several Firefox updates have been released (currently running 70.0.1) without a fix.

I have exactly the recommended preferences as shown. Sorry, this is not the solution.

I also have reviewed and modified some of the about:config preferences relating to new windows.

This did not happen until my switch to Catalina a few days ago.

I have the same problem. Started with update to Catalina on my MacBook Air. Have tried sooooo many fixes. Been on the Mozilla community help pages. So far no fixes. Does anyone know how to reach Firefox or Mozilla to tell them about this? This is so frustrating.... HELP!!!!

I'm not understanding everything here like some of you, so TY, 'cause I'm probably in the slower(er) group, atho very coachable:)

If Mozilla is 'aware', is there any information on whether or not they are working on it, taking it seriously? Ignoring it? Or...?

Would love to be able to fix this. I have the same problem with OS-X 10.15.1 and FF 70.0.1.

And this only happens when FF is currently not active when clicking on the external link.

Not exactly good news. Other things have broken in Catalina and it seems I am going to have to spend many hours either fixing or waiting for someone else to fix what is broken.