Opera 21: always display full url in address bar

Martin Brinkmann
May 6, 2014
Opera
|
11

The most recent stable version of the Opera browser can display full page urls at all times now in the browser.

Some web browsers display only partial urls instead of full web addresses. If you run a search using an older version of the Opera browser, and then the same search in Firefox, you may notice that the addresses that are displayed in the browsers are not identical.

In fact, the behavior is still default in the most recent versions of the browser. Opera displays the address only partially in the address bar, and reveals the full url only when you click it.

While that may look nicer, it also means another step for users who want to look at the page url for whatever reason. While the partial url highlights the domain and protocol used, it may sometimes be of interest to check the full address as well.

Google is running an experiment in Chrome currently that cuts of addresses as well.

Comparison

opera partial url

opera full url

Starting with Opera 21, it is now possible to modify the behavior so that the full address is always displayed in the Opera web browser.

Here is what you need to do to enable the feature:

  • Open the Opera web browser and select Opera > About to make sure you are running at least version 21.
  • Select Opera > Settings, load opera://settings/ or use Alt-P for fast access to the settings.
  • Scroll all the way down until you find the "Show advanced settings" preference.
  • Check the box and you will notice that several new preferences become available. All preferences marked with a dot in front of them are considered advance.
  • Scroll up a bit until you find user interface. Here you need to enable the "show full URL in combined search and address bar" preference.
  • The change becomes active immediately and you will see full addresses at all times when you are using the Opera web browser.
  • To undo the change, repeat the steps above but uncheck the box instead of checking it.
opera full address
Opera preference to show full urls

Closing Words

The main issue that I have with the display of short urls is that I'm no longer in control. The developers decided that urls are complicated, and that most users only need the root domain and protocol, and that is it.

I prefer to see all information at all times, as it puts me in full control.

Summary
Opera 21: always display full url in address bar
Article Name
Opera 21: always display full url in address bar
Description
A new feature of Opera displays full page urls in the browser instead of partial urls only.
Author
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Comments

  1. Rick Puga said on October 14, 2014 at 7:31 pm
    Reply

    Great!!
    thank you!
    It was driving me mad!

    have a nice day!

  2. Lindsay said on May 8, 2014 at 1:50 pm
    Reply

    Is Opera anywhere near close to replicating what they had in 12.x yet?

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on May 8, 2014 at 2:41 pm
      Reply

      No, not yet.

  3. olidie said on May 7, 2014 at 12:59 pm
    Reply

    sorry. hit wrong reply button.

  4. olidie said on May 7, 2014 at 10:51 am
    Reply

    I like the way this way solved in Opera up to v12. The complete address was shown with a simple click in the address bar. That’s about all I need. But that’s not the only reason why I am still using Opera 12.17 ;-)

    p.s. I commented on a previous topic and ticked “Notify me of followup comments via e-mail” but never received any mails. Checked my spam, nothing. Any ideas why?

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on May 7, 2014 at 11:11 am
      Reply

      Which article was that, and did you use the email you used writing this comment?

      You have three subscriptions including one for this article. The other two are about Windows 8.

      Did you receive a notification for this comment?

      1. olidie said on May 7, 2014 at 1:00 pm
        Reply

        Thanks, Martin. Three subscriptions should be correct. So far I have never received a notification. Not even for your comment from 11:11 am.

      2. Martin Brinkmann said on May 7, 2014 at 2:43 pm
        Reply

        We have hit the email limit on the network, it is currently being fixed.

  5. Shadess said on May 6, 2014 at 7:05 pm
    Reply

    I don’t mind hiding it by default but it is hilarious bringing this back took them this long. Just bring back OPTIONS like in the old browser. The un-customizability of the browser is so fucked. I literally cannot move buttons added by extensions in the new one whereas in the old opera I could have done anything imaginable to them.

  6. Dave said on May 6, 2014 at 4:21 pm
    Reply

    This was the missing feature which caused me to ditch Opera in favor of Firefox.

    I wonder if their re-write has paid off for them yet?

  7. operapls said on May 6, 2014 at 2:17 pm
    Reply

    Great! this makes me hopeful atleast.
    Now, can opera developers make the detailed statusbar(popup in bottom) like in PRESTOpera to Opium?
    They said so themselves on the blog
    “Doing so helps users to quickly and simply identify that the site that they are browsing is the one they expect. It makes it a lot harder for the bad guys to trick you!”

    I really want that extremely useful feature back.
    if not, atleast some kind anonymous developer can make an extension for it? Detailed AddbressBar+Detailed Statusbar(builtin/extension)=Double Win.

    Please would they listen to us loyal users?

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