Making Firefox look and feel like Google Chrome
January 30, 2009 Alternatives, Google, Internet Browsers, Mozilla, Plugins, Tips & Tricks
Well, ever since Google released their own Browser, Google Chrome, Firefox users were wondering the same thing. Will Firefox live up to beat yet another Browser? In my point of view, the answer is: Yes and very well beyond. The main reason behind this question is that Firefox users are very well comfortable in using it and it’s much more compatible with almost all sites like IE. However, Google Chrome is a new entrant and has a long way to go in the Compatibility area. So, this post is for those die hard fans of Firefox like me…
For starters, Firefox Version 3.1 comes with the new JavaScript engine (just like Chrome’s V8 engine) which is far powerful and faster. Though the memory issues still plague Firefox users, I’ve seen the beta version of Firefox 3.1 Beta 2 beats that. So, here is my guide to those who would like functionalities and look and feel like Google Chrome in Firefox.
Making your Firefox 3.0.5 look like Google Chrome (A Compromise actually…)
(NOTE: Some of the Extension needs you to login to Mozilla in order to install them as they are experimental)
- Download and Install the Chromifox Theme from Mozilla Add-ons site
- If fortunate and have Vista, download and install the ChromiGlass extension to give Chrome touch
- If unfortunate and have XP or Linux, download and install the Total ReChrome extension to give Chrome touch
- Download and Install the New Tab button on right extension to have new tab functionalities like Chrome
- Download and Install the LocationBar extension to have Chrome like address bar functionalities
- Download and Install the PersonalMenu extension to have Chrome like Menus
- Download and Install the Download Statusbar extension to have Chrome like Downloads
- [Experimental] Download and Install the autoHide Statusbar extension to have Chrome like statusbar
- Download and Install the Google Toolbar for Firefox
- After installing all these, restart Firefox. You’ll already be seeing the Chrome like look and feel.
- Right click on the Toolbar and remove the tick in Menu Bar
- Right click on the Toolbar and choose Customize. Drag and drop Stop button to the next of Go button in address bar (this will make Go button become Stop once a page starts loading, just like Chrome)
- From the same Customize box, Drag and Drop Personal Menu icon to the right side of Stop button. Close customize box.
- Click on the Personal Menu icon (now will look like Chrome’s). Choose Edit Menu and choose whatever menu options that you want from Left side to Right side to have them under this single menu.
- The Google Toolbar for Firefox (Version 5+) will mimic the new tab page feature of Google Chrome. However, if you don’t want it, you can turn off that feature alone from the Settings page of the Google toolbar.
- Now, you should be seeing Firefox as Chrome
Making your Firefox 3.1 Beta 2 look and function like Google Chrome (A sure shot…)
(NOTE: Some of the Extension needs you to login to Mozilla in order to install them as they are experimental)
- If you don’t have already, Download Firefox 3.1 Beta 2 from Mozilla website.
- Download and Install the Chromifox 2 Theme from Mozilla Add-ons site
- Download and Install the Total ReChrome extension to give Chrome touch
- Download and Install the New Tab button on right extension to have new tab functionalities like Chrome
- Download and Install the PersonalMenu extension to have Chrome like Menus
- Download and Install the Download Statusbar extension to have Chrome like Downloads
- Download and Install the Google Toolbar for Firefox
- After installing all these, restart Firefox. You’ll already be seeing the Chrome like look and feel.
- Right click on the Toolbar and remove the tick in Menu Bar
- Right click on the Toolbar and choose Customize. Drag and drop Stop button to the next of Go button in address bar (this will make Go button become Stop once a page starts loading, just like Chrome)
- From the same Customize box, Drag and Drop Personal Menu icon to the right side of Stop button. Close customize box.
- Click on the Personal Menu icon (now will look like Chrome’s). Choose Edit Menu and choose whatever menu options that you want from Left side to Right side to have them under this single menu.
- The Google Toolbar for Firefox (Version 5+) will mimic the new tab page feature of Google Chrome. However, if you don’t want it, you can turn off that feature alone from the Settings page of the Google toolbar.
- Now, you should be seeing Firefox as Chrome
The final result is as in the screenshot below:
