Firefox 3 has some very neat features, the address bar being one of them. However, some people (me included) simply hate that damn thing. Although it is useful to search for something you only know part of (for example you know it contains “Emporium” but you don’t know what it starts with), but if you want to access a specific URL it is simply a pain in the back side most of the time.

That’s why some choose to stick to the old address bar … and since the folks at Mozilla didn’t give us that option directly from the Options menu, an extension was created: oldbar.

Oh, and if you have problems installing from the direct page, try the version history one.

Improved version

It seems there is now an even improved version which not only makes the address bar look the same with the old one, but it restored its functionality and made the Go button visible all the time:

Download: Old Location Bar

Update (only works in the RC version)

It seems you can get the same result without the extension using a hidden option from about:config:

1. Start Firefox.
2. In the Address Bar type “about:config” and press Enter.
3. Right-Click and select New->Boolean.
4. A box requesting the Preference Name will popup and you should enter “browser.urlbar.richResults” (without the quotes). Press OK to continue.
5. Select “False” from the box and press OK again.
6. Restart Firefox