Zen Browser 1.18b released
A new update has been released for Zen Browser, version 1.18b. One of the notable features is window sync, which allows users to keep their windows organized across multiple monitors. The feature can be particularly useful for those who work on multiple screens or have a cluttered workspace.
This just means you can keep your browser windows organized across multiple monitors. If you manage more than one screen, this could really help maintain order and reduce clutter in your workspace.
Creating a fresh window takes only a quick keystroke: opt+cmd+N for Mac, ctrl+alt+N on Linux, or alt+N on Windows (assuming 'itemBuilder' was just an editing placeholder). If you want to know how window sync works or its full potential, check the documentation!
The update also means Zen is now using Firefox versions 147.0 and 147.0.1. This brings more than just a core upgrade; it helps align the browser's overall experience.
Speaking of organization, that window sync isn't limited to one window anymore. The feature has been properly merged so all open windows can stay in sync with each other. Anything you change in one window should appear elsewhere too, although some specific tools like Glance are still being tested (experimental).
For those juggling many browser instances or spaces, session restore is now a bit smarter. It remembers which space a particular window belonged to before closing everything down, making it easier to jump back into your previous activities.
Tab management also got a few tweaks. Now, when you close one tab and look for the next thing in your history, the browser focuses on whichever page you visited last rather than the bottom-most tab remaining open. Plus, tabs aren't just blank boxes anymore; they can have custom icons.
Customizing those new tabs might appeal to some, too. You can rearrange them using drag-and-drop, which is especially handy when dealing with folders within folders or multi-layered layouts.
On Macs specifically, keyboard shortcut fans will notice profiles now get 'switch to N space' shortcuts automatically (like control+number). The native menu bar integration feels a bit smoother overall too; there's a dedicated 'Spaces' option making things more accessible in both the menu and context menus if you enable those decluttering settings.
Privacy buffs might appreciate another change. Zen has updated its security protocols, switching to Safe Browsing V5 locally (originally using V4). This shift should improve safety checks while potentially giving your browsing a smoother feel, too.
Video performance is also better on systems with AMD graphics cards. Zero-copy playback for hardware-decoded video kicks in where supported, meaning those users might now see performance levels comparable to owners of Intel and NVIDIA setups, which results in smoother streaming
Furthermore, this version incorporates optimizations for Apple Silicon Macs across all supported macOS versions, in addition to bug fixes. If you have been experiencing sluggish startups when restoring many tabs, particularly in complex multi-space sessions, you should notice improved performance now. Some rendering quirks, like gradients mixing during backgrounds, have been addressed too. Split view layouts no longer reset themselves on opening apps or restarting the browser entirely; they remember their setup.
There's also something about how subfolders and parent folders interact when restoring large sets of window tabs (like multiple layers). This might help prevent some unexpected groupings if you were using complex folder structures.
Finally, there appears to be a fix aimed at preventing potential memory issues associated with mods or browser add-ons.
Release Release build - 1.18b (2026-01-23)
Zen Stable Release This update includes window sync and other nice improvements! Window sync is a way to keep your windows organized across multiple monitors.
Release Release build - 1.18b (2026-01-23) ยท zen-browser/desktop
