Firefox 142: New Features, AI Link Previews, Smarter Tabs & Privacy

Mozilla has just rolled out Firefox 142, a fresh update for its popular open-source browser. While it doesn’t revolutionize the web browsing experience, this release introduces subtle but meaningful improvements. With AI-powered link previews, better tab group handling, an improved “New Tab” page, and smarter privacy controls, Firefox 142 continues Mozilla’s mission of balancing innovation with user privacy. If you’re wondering whether this update is worth installing, here’s a complete breakdown of everything new.

AI-Powered Link Previews (All Local, No Tracking)

The standout feature of Firefox 142 is the introduction of link previews enhanced by artificial intelligence. Users can now preview a webpage without opening it in a new tab. A simple right-click on a link and selecting “Preview Link” — or holding down the click — reveals the content in a quick-view window.

But Mozilla goes further: in some cases, Firefox can display a short AI-generated summary of the page. The best part? The AI model runs locally on your computer, meaning no data is sent to Mozilla’s servers. Your privacy stays fully intact.

This feature is rolling out gradually and is currently limited to systems with more than 3 GB of RAM, and only in select regions: the United States, Canada (English), the United Kingdom, and Australia. French users and other regions will need to wait a little longer for availability.

A Smarter and More Personalizable New Tab Page

Another notable update in Firefox 142 is the redesigned New Tab page, currently available to U.S. users only. Suggested articles are now organized by categories such as Sports, Food, Entertainment, and more.

Users can follow the topics they care about and hide the ones that aren’t relevant, making the homepage less cluttered and more tailored to personal interests. Mozilla’s goal is to turn the New Tab page into a useful discovery hub rather than an overwhelming feed.

Improved Tab Group Management

For heavy multitaskers, Firefox’s tab group feature has also been upgraded. Now, when a tab group is collapsed, the active tab remains visible. This small but clever change allows users to keep an eye on their current work without expanding the entire group again — a real time-saver for anyone juggling multiple projects.

Smarter Anti-Tracking Protection

Mozilla continues to strengthen privacy without compromising usability. The Strict Mode of Enhanced Tracking Protection in Firefox 142 has been refined. Previously, strict blocking could sometimes break site functionality. Now, Firefox applies exceptions more intelligently by dividing them into two categories:

• Core site functions – ensuring websites load and operate normally.
• Additional features – restoring less critical elements like animations or widgets.

This balance means users keep strong privacy protection while avoiding frustrating website errors. Advanced users still have the option to fine-tune these settings manually.

Easier Extension Management

Managing extensions in Firefox is also smoother in version 142. Users can now remove an extension from the sidebar with a simple right-click and selecting “Remove from Sidebar.” While it’s a small update, it declutters the interface and makes extension control more intuitive, especially for those who rely on multiple add-ons.

Subtle But Useful Refinements

Beyond the headline features, Firefox 142 also delivers a handful of quality-of-life improvements:

• Better blob image previews – smoother drag-and-drop for dynamically generated images.
• Improved history search – fewer duplicate results in the address bar.
• Persistent notifications on Windows – clicking a notification now opens the correct page, even if Firefox was closed.
• Smoother scrolling in the bookmarks window – confined scrolling within the display area for a cleaner experience.

These small refinements make browsing more fluid and frustration-free.

Conclusion:

Firefox 142 may not overhaul the browser experience, but it introduces smart, user-friendly improvements. From AI-powered link previews that protect privacy to more organized tabs and smarter anti-tracking tools, Mozilla proves once again that it’s committed to enhancing usability while respecting user data. Even if some features are still region-limited, Firefox 142 shows that innovation and privacy can go hand in hand. For users seeking a browser that balances modern features with transparency, Firefox remains a top contender.

Source : Firefox