🧭 Browser Tips: Secret Settings and Useful Extensions for Power Users
Modern browsers like Vivaldi, Firefox, Edge, and DuckDuckGo continue to evolve beyond simple web navigation tools. They now offer deep customization, privacy enhancements, and integrated AI assistance. Below is a detailed guide on the best hidden settings, new buttons, and privacy options highlighted in the latest updates for each browser.
🧩 Vivaldi: Customize the Tab Bar
Vivaldi version 7.6, released in mid-September 2025, brings a redesigned Tab Bar system and a new Tab Button that gives users full control over their browser’s toolbar.
You can now personalize the top toolbar to include exactly the buttons and functions you use most — without clutter.
Steps to Customize:
- Right-click any button on the Tab Bar (not a website tab, but an actual toolbar button).
- Select Customize Toolbar.
- From the Toolbar Editor, drag and drop features like Closed Tabs, Synced Tabs, and Separator directly into the Tab Bar.
- Rearrange these buttons by dragging them into your preferred order.
- Click Done to save your layout.
If you want to return to the default toolbar layout, click Reset Tab Bar to Default.
You can also use the Toolbar Editor to modify other interface elements, including the Address Bar and Sidebar, for a completely personalized workspace.
Vivaldi’s commitment to customization continues to set it apart for advanced users who value control over appearance and workflow.
🔒 Firefox: Delete Files You Download in Private Mode
In Firefox 143, Mozilla introduced a feature that addresses one of the most overlooked privacy issues — downloaded files from private browsing sessions.
Normally, when you download something in Private Mode (or Incognito Mode), files are saved to your Downloads folder, making them visible even after you close your private window. This undermines privacy because anyone who uses your PC afterward can still see what was downloaded.
To fix this, Firefox now allows automatic deletion of downloads from private sessions once all private windows are closed.
How to Enable This Feature:
- When you download a file in private browsing mode, Firefox shows a warning stating, “Files stay on your device.” Click “Got it” to acknowledge the message.
- To make automatic deletion permanent, open Settings → General → Files and Applications.
- Check the box “Delete files downloaded in private browsing when all private windows are closed.”
If you prefer to keep the downloaded files, simply uncheck the option and they’ll remain in your Downloads folder.
This change provides better privacy control and prevents private data from being accidentally exposed.
🤖 Edge: Hide the New Copilot Button
Microsoft Edge’s new Copilot Mode (introduced in Edge 117) added a large Ask Copilot button to the top-right corner of the browser window. This button expands access to Microsoft’s AI assistant, but many users find it intrusive or unnecessary — especially since it shifts other toolbar icons to the left.
You can easily hide or remove it through Edge’s settings.
Steps to Hide the Copilot Button:
- Click the three-dot (⋯) menu in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings → Appearance.
- Scroll down to App Specific Settings and look for the Copilot and Sidebar section.
- Toggle off “Show Copilot button on the toolbar.”
This hides the Copilot icon in both standard and sidebar browsing modes.
If you prefer to re-enable it later, just revisit the same menu and turn the toggle back on.
This small tweak makes Edge cleaner and restores the classic toolbar layout, which many users prefer for productivity.
🦆 DuckDuckGo: Switch Between Search and AI Chat
DuckDuckGo has integrated its privacy-first search engine with an optional AI assistant named Duck.ai, letting users seamlessly toggle between private web search and AI-powered conversations.
The feature ensures no typing data or chat content is shared with third parties or used for ad targeting — maintaining DuckDuckGo’s long-standing privacy promise.
How to Use It:
- On the DuckDuckGo homepage, click the Search tab to run a normal web search.
- Click the Duck.ai tab to switch into chat mode and start an AI-powered conversation directly in the same browser window.
- To simplify the interface, click Customize at the bottom-right corner and remove either tab if you prefer only one mode.
This dual-tab setup is designed for users who want the convenience of AI without sacrificing privacy. You can search normally, ask AI questions, or even summarize pages — all without creating an account or exposing personal data.
⚙️ Practical Tips Across All Browsers
| Feature | Browser | How It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Toolbar Layout | Vivaldi | Boosts workflow efficiency and aesthetic control |
| Delete Private Downloads | Firefox | Prevents privacy leaks from local files |
| Hide Copilot Button | Edge | Reduces toolbar clutter and distractions |
| AI Chat with Privacy | DuckDuckGo | Combines convenience of AI with strict data protection |
🧠 Expert Recommendations
- For developers or multitaskers: Vivaldi’s toolbar customization allows you to streamline your workspace.
- For privacy-conscious users: Firefox’s new download deletion and DuckDuckGo’s AI privacy model are must-try features.
- For minimalists: Disabling unnecessary Edge UI elements like Copilot declutters your browsing experience.
Together, these small but powerful settings can make your daily browsing faster, safer, and more private.
