Mozilla Firefox Disabling Backspace Key to Prevent Data Loss

In 2014, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge have already removed the ability to go back to a previous page by using the backspace key as there were possibilities of losing data entered into forms on the current page. Those who are using Google Chrome have to download an extension to use this again, whereas Microsoft Edge had offered a flag for its users to re-active it. In the same way, Mozilla Firefox is also offering its users the option to re-activate the backspace key if they wish to do so. 

“Would be useful to determine how commonly backspace is used as a “back” action shortcut, so we can figure out if we need to tweak the UX somehow to avoid accidental loss of form data due to mistyping the backspace key,” Google Chrome developers stated in a 2014 bug post. 

According to the sources, seven years ago, Mozilla Firefox had set up the committee and reviewed the bug post: whether the backspace key should be disabled or not. Finally, the committee had decided not to change anything at that time. Around six years later, Mozilla finally came to the point where it has decided to remove the backspace key after realizing that except for Mozilla and Internet Explorer 11, no browsers support this keyboard shortcut. 

“To prevent user data loss when filling out forms, the Backspace key as a navigation shortcut for “Go back one page” is now disabled. To re-enable the Backspace keyboard shortcut, you can change the about: config preference browser.backspace_action to 0. You can also use the recommended Alt + Left arrow (Command + Left arrow on Mac) shortcut instead,” Firefox Release Manager Pascal Chevrel added to the Firefox Nightly 86.0a1 release notes. 

According to TechDows, the first who reported about this change which is now available live on the Firefox browser for users to test and know. 

Further information is for those users who want to continue using the backspace key, you will be able to re-enable this key just follow these steps: 

1. Enter about: config in the Firefox address bar. 

2. Search for browser.backspace_action and change its value to ‘0’. 

Once the setting is configured, you will be able to use the backspace key to go back to the previous page in Mozilla Firefox.