How to Force Your Browser to Open a Link in a New Tab

Using only your keyboard, mouse, or trackpad

Most links on websites open in the same browser tab. You probably don’t mind that too much. But if you’ve yet to finish with the current web page, prefer getting to linked pages later, or want to compare stuff, you should launch them in separate tabs. However, repeatedly using the “Open link in new tab” contextual menu option is too slow and gets tedious fast.

Thankfully, you can force your browser to open any link in a new tab using nothing but your keyboard, mouse, and trackpad. Some browsers also support extensions that do that for you automatically.

On both the PC and Mac, selecting links in conjunction with a specific key or keys on your keyboard force the browser to open the link in a new tab. That works on any browser, be it Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, or Opera. Alternatively, you can use your mouse or trackpad alone to load links in new browser tabs.

You can load any link in a new browser tab by clicking or tapping on it while holding down theControlkey (Windows) or theCommandkey (Mac). Each tab loads in the background, so it’s an ideal method to open multiple links as you move your way through a webpage.

Alternatively, you can click a link while holding downShift+Ctrl(PC) orShift+Command(Mac). That should not only open the link in a new tab but also shift your focus to it.

If you use a mouse, simply utilizing the middle mouse button to click on a link will immediately open it in a new browser tab! Holding down theShiftkey while middle-clicking also helps you switch to the tab automatically.

Trackpads on Windows laptops can also open links in new tabs. To do that, you must emulate a middle-click by clicking or tapping with three fingers. You can configure the middle mouse click by heading over toSettings>Devices>Touchpad.

MacBook trackpads don’t have a middle-click gesture. However, you can use third-party apps such asMiddleClickorMiddleto add support for that. They should also work with the Mac’s Magic Mouse.

If you don’t like using the keyboard, mouse, or trackpad in unusual ways to open links in new tabs, orif you’re physically disadvantaged, then browser extensions can help. Some browsers also come with the option to open links in new tabs as opposed to new windows.

Suppose you use Google Chrome, head over to theChrome Web Store, and search foropen links in new tabs. You should be able to locate multiple extensions offering the functionality to force-load links in new browser tabs.

The extensionOpen in new tab, for example, allows you to open links in the background easily. After adding it to Chrome, simply pick the extension from the browser’s Extensions menu and turn on the switch to activate it for the site you’re viewing.

Another extension, dubbedRight Click Opens Link in New Tab, allows you to configure the right mouse button or trackpad gesture to open links in the background or the foreground.

If you want to expand your preferred extension’s support to includeIncognito windows in Chrome, open theExtensionsmenu and go toManage extensions>Details. Then, turn on the switch next toAllow in incognito.

TheFirefox Browser Add-ons storealso contains several extensions that can open links in new tabs. An example isOpen Link with New Tab. Just install it, and every link that you come across should open in a new tab. To manage how the extension works, head over toAdd-ons and Themes>Extensions.

Additionally, Firefox provides a built-in option that allows you to force-load links in tabs instead of new windows. To activate it, open theOptionspage in Firefox, select theGeneraltab, and check the box next toOpen links in tabs instead of new windows.

Safari does not have any extensions (at the time of writing) that can automatically open links in new tabs, so you have no recourse but to rely on your keyboard and mouse/trackpad solely.

However, it does provide control over links that open in new windows. Go toSafari>Preferences>Tabsand setOpen pages in tabs instead of windowstoAutomatically. That should prompt such links to open as tabs only.

Unlike Google Chrome, Chromium-based browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Vivaldi lack dedicated extensions that can help force-open links in new tabs. However, they use the same engine as Google Chrome does. That means you can install Chrome extensions—such as Right Click Opens Link in New Tab—to gain similar functionality.

Microsoft Edge:Go to Microsoft Edge’sExtensionspageand turn on the switch next toAllow extensions from other stores. Then, visit the Chrome Web Store and install your preferred extension.

Opera:Add theInstall Chrome Extensionsadd-on to Opera. Then, go to the Chrome Web Store to install any Chrome extension.

Vivaldi:You don’t have to do anything! Just head over to the Chrome Web Store and add the extension you want.

As you just saw, you have a handful of ways to go about opening links in new browser tabs. It’s easy to get used to doing that using your keyboard, mouse, or trackpad. But if that’s not your cup of tea, a browser extension is all you need. Sorry, Safari fans!

Now with that out of the way, learn how toswitch between tabs in any browser easily.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

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