Anyone know how to get the cursor to default to the address bar when you open a new tab in Safari 7.0?

Safari ▹ Preferences ▹ General ▹ New windows open with: Empty Page

It should still be in the address bar with Top Sites - where does it show ?.

From the Safari menu bar, select

Safari ▹ Preferences ▹ Extensions

Turn all extensions OFF and test. If the problem is resolved, turn extensions back ON and then disable them one or a few at a time until you find the culprit.

If you wish, you may be able to salvage the errant extension by uninstalling and reinstalling it. Its settings will revert to their defaults. If the extension still causes a problem, remove it permanently or refer to its developer for support.

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

Step 1

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.

Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”

While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.

Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?

After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.

*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.

Step 2

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of certain system caches.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled on some models, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.

The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

Here's the solution....

Open your Safari Preference and go to the General tab.

Set your "New windows open with: Homepage"

and then set your "New tabs open with: Empty page"

This way when you open a new window, you will open to your homepage link. If you want your cursor to start in the address field, just open a new tab.

All resolved for me. I'm a Happy Mac'er now. 🙂

I have tried under the guest account, it goes the same way. I don't know how it did happened, just came out of sudden. And ‘New window open with’ doesn't work, please, stop suggesting it, guys.

Yea, this isn't resolved. This is happening for me too and is really annoying.
Thanks for the suggestions, but opening in a whole new window or to a blank tab isn't a solution.

Anyone have any other ideas?

Hi All,

Select "New windows opens with" = Empty Page

"New tabs opens with" = Empty Page

This will enable "active" focus on the URL bar when opening new window or tab. Please note that the page will be "untitled".

Thanks, I had the same question after I installed Yosemite

this solved problem.

also u can use

"New tabs opens with" = Top sites

Thanks Linc, You saved me a bunch of time there. I feel stupid now knowing how obvious it was. I was trying command lines in terminal out of desperation!

Thank you. This was spot on solution. It worked for me.

I found another solution! When I've recently bought new MacBook and didn't migrate from older one (when I've never did full "wipe" for 5 years and I was always installing new versions of OSX over previous one) I've noticed the same behavior with address bar not focusing when opening new window or tab. I had this pretty feature on older one so I've compared preferences in com.apple.Safari.plist file and found the one responsible for that 😀

Quit Safari, open terminal and write:

defaults write com.apple.Safari UniversalSearchFeatureNotificationHasBeenDisplayed YES

hit enter and it should work with any settings from "New windows opens with" or "New tabs opens with".