Zen Browser 1.17.7b released
A new update for Zen Browser has been released. Based on the latest Firefox 145.0 release, version 1.17.b is now live.
The core of the change is performance upgraded to Firefox, which means more speed, fewer bugs, and generally a smoother ride. But there are also some pleasing refinements:
One thing we noticed deals with tabs. Previously, if you swiped back or navigated through history after opening a new tab from an existing one, it sometimes caused issues. Now, the confusing tab just closes itself automatically when you're navigating backwards like that, which helps keep your session cleaner.
The control center on the new tab page gets more space now, and it’s positioned better next to other UI bits, so finding and managing open tabs is probably easier.
Speaking of customization, there are some theme commands for URL bar actions. This lets users tailor things like search or address bar behaviors a bit more precisely. And one cool addition is the 'Open Link in Glance' option in the link context menu, which is handy if you just want to peek at something without fully committing.
Then there's better control over your shortcuts, particularly Ctrl+Tab. You can now decide what gets cycled through when you hit that key: maybe only tabs from one group (like work essentials), or perhaps all of them depending on the situation. And they've done a similar update for pending tabs, those 'tabs waiting in the wings,' giving more flexibility there too.
If you're constantly jumping between apps, there's a new setting to manage link behavior when clicked from outside Zen. You can tell it to open the links right next to your current tab instead of pushing everything over and putting them at the end. This feels like a small but smart way to keep things organized without more clutter.
Privacy is another area touched upon. The Bounce Tracking Protection in ETP Strict mode now offers enhanced protection by default, blocking advanced tracking via redirection. And for Windows users specifically, they've added a new desktop launcher. This replaces the old shortcut entirely, so it’s basically just a tiny program that starts Zen Browser running automatically once you’ve installed it. Think of it as a neat way to launch the browser without needing another icon or remembering the exact command line.
On top of that, they've fixed two particular issues: one involving correctly setting workspace IDs for duplicated essential tabs, and another fixing the description text in element picker tooltips (which helps when debugging). There are other fixes too, smoothing out the experience even further.
This 1.17.b update feels like a solid step forward, refining how Zen works with Firefox under its hood while also offering users more precise control and cleaner handling of their tabs and links across different contexts. It’s an improvement for anyone already using Zen or considering switching browsers looking to enhance efficiency within the familiar Firefox environment.
A detailed change log and the download can be found on the linked Github page below:
Release Release build - 1.17.7b (2025-11-16)
Zen Stable Release Security Various security fixes New Features Updated to Firefox 145.0 Swiping back or going back in history now closes the tab if it has been opened from another tab Control cen...
Release Release build - 1.17.7b (2025-11-16) · zen-browser/desktop
