Useful opera:config (Opera Preferences Editor) entries

Published May 20th, 2008 7:45 AM EDT By Tamil

Opera’s preferences window (keyboard shortcut: CTRL+F12) provides access to preferences the are most commonly adjusted. There are many more options that are available for you to adjust, however, they are hidden and can be found in the built-in preferences editor.

To access the hidden preferences editor, type opera:config into the address bar and press enter. To learn more about each opera:config entry, click the help link at top right side in the preferences editor.

Preferences Editor.png
Opera Preferences Editor

The following are some useful opera:config entries.

Entry^#	Description
opera:config#BitTorrent\|Enable	Enable file distribution using BitTorrent
opera:config#Cache\|ECMAScript	Available memory for JavaScript engine in kB
opera:config#Colors\|HighlightedBackground	Background of text that is highlighted (after a search for instance)
opera:config#Colors\|HighlightedBackgroundUnfocused	Background of text that is highlighted but has no focus
opera:config#Colors\|HighlightedText	Color for text that is highlighted
opera:config#Colors\|HighlightedTextUnfocused	Color for text that is highlighted but has no focus
opera:config#Colors\|SelectedBackground ^*	Background of text that is selected
opera:config#Colors\|SelectedText ^*	Color for text that is selected
opera:config#DiskCache\|Size	Disk cache size in kilobytes
opera:config#Extensions\|FramesShowActive	Show active frame with border
opera:config#Extensions\|IFrames	Enable inline frames
opera:config#ISP\|Id ^!	Custom user agent substring User agent with custom string ‘OperaWatch’. Opera/9.50 (Windows NT 5.1; U; OperaWatch; en)
opera:config#Network\|EnableContentBlocker	Enable content blocker
opera:config#Network\|EnableHostNameWebLookup	Use Web service to search if server name lookup fails
opera:config#Network\|HostNameWebLookupAddress	URL to Web search to use if server name lookup fails
opera:config#SecurityPrefs\|PasswordLifetime	Expiry time in minutes for master password in memory
opera:config#TransferWindow\|KeepEntriesDays	Days to keep entries in transfer manager
opera:config#UserPrefs\|AddressbarContentSearch ^*	Enable address bar content search
opera:config#UserPrefs\|AllowEmptyWorkspace	Permits the last tab to be closed
opera:config#UserPrefs\|AlternativePageCycleMode	Page cycle mode to use when cycling without displaying list of pages 0 = Recently used order 1 = Page bar order
opera:config#UserPrefs\|ApplicationIcon ^!	Full path to alternative icon file. Windows only. See How to customize Opera icon & title?
opera:config#UserPrefs\|AutoDropdown	Allow auto completion dropdown
opera:config#UserPrefs\|BrowserJavaScript	Whether to download and use the browser.js file. Enable by setting to 1, Opera will then download the file and set to 2. 0 = Never download or use 2 = Use and check for updates weekly 1 = browser.js signature invalid. On next check for update, a new browser.js will be downloaded and the value set to 2.
opera:config#UserPrefs\|CacheDirectory4	Full path to cache directory
opera:config#UserPrefs\|CheckForNewOpera	Keeps track of weekly check for new updates. Set to 0 to disable. See How to disable check for new version of Opera?
opera:config#UserPrefs\|EllipsisInCenter	Shorten button and tab names in the middle
opera:config#UserPrefs\|EnableEditTripleClick	Handling double clicks in text edit fields. UNIX only. 0=Double-click text to select all 1=Double-click to select word, triple-click to select all
opera:config#UserPrefs\|EnableUsageStatistics	Enable usage statistics sent to Opera. See Help us help you! for more info.
opera:config#UserPrefs\|EnableconfigURL	Enable opera:config If you want to enable opera:config after disabling, close Opera, delete the line Enable config URL=0 in opera6.ini file.
opera:config#UserPrefs\|HistoryNavigationMode	1 = Automatic mode 2 = Compatible mode 3 = Fast mode Read more about history navigation.
opera:config#UserPrefs\|IgnoreTarget	Disallow documents to create new windows/pages
opera:config#UserPrefs\|MaxDirectHistoryLines	Maximum numbers of typed-in URLs
opera:config#UserPrefs\|MaximumFontSize	Do not allow fonts larger than value in pixels
opera:config#UserPrefs\|MinAllowedGDIResources	Attempt to free system resources when low by value in percentage. Windows only.
opera:config#UserPrefs\|NumberOfHits	Preferred number of search results per page. 0 = Use search engine’s own default Google only. To work in other engines, you have to append &x=%i to search engine address where x is search query name for number of results. For Google, http://www.google.com/search?q=%s&num=%i
opera:config#UserPrefs\|OpenDialogUnderMouse	Launch dialog where mouse pointer is already located. UNIX only.
opera:config#UserPrefs\|ScrollIsPan ^*	Enable grab-and-scroll mode. Alternatively, hold down CTRL+ALT and then click & drag the page to enable on the fly scroll.
opera:config#UserPrefs\|ShowAddressInCaption^!	Display URL rather than page title in title bar
opera:config#UserPrefs\|SpeedDialSearchType	Set to 0 to remove Speed Dial search bar
opera:config#UserPrefs\|SpeedDialState	Available options: 0 = Folded (”Show speed dial” message) 1 = Normal view 2 = Read Only (Hides “What is Speed Dial” & “Show speed dial” buttons) 3 = Disabled
opera:config#UserPrefs\|Title	Main caption on title bar. Shows standard caption by default; Page title and Opera. Add “%s” to display Opera’s build number. See How to customize Opera icon & title?
opera:config#UserPrefs\|UseIntegratedSearch	Use available multi-search field or “Find in page” field instead of dialog for “Find in page”
opera:config#UserPrefs\|UserJavaScriptonHTTPS	Allow User JavaScript on secure servers. Use with caution.
opera:config#UserPrefs\|VisitedPages ^*	Enables content search
opera:config#VisitedLink\|StrikeThrough	Strikethrough on visited links

^# = Copy & paste in address bar or select entry, right click & click Go to URL
^! = Requires Opera restart
^* = Available in Opera 9.50

If you enjoyed this post, then make sure you subscribe to my RSS Feed.

:: Post a Comment

31 Comments

Feed for this Post

1 Rhonnysparks May 20th, 2008 at 8:24 am
using Opera 9.50 on Linux

nice list.

I didn’t know about history navigation mode, having to wait when going back in history really bugged me, so good to have (nearly) instant history navigation again
2 drumblius May 20th, 2008 at 8:37 am
using Opera 9.50 on Windows XP

Is there any chance of changing text highlight color when searching text in source code.
Now background is white and highlight color is light grey. Usualy it’s difficult to find what’s highlighted

example: http://clip2net.com/page/m0/188704
3 Ravindran May 20th, 2008 at 8:50 am
using Opera 9.50 on Linux

Amazing list!!!
4 Gongo May 20th, 2008 at 9:04 am
using Opera 9.50 on Windows XP

opera:config#UserPrefs|AllowEmptyWorkspace

this would be the “most” useful configuration on mac … but it’s not available :’(
5 suribe May 20th, 2008 at 9:36 am
using Opera 9.50 on Linux

very useful list, thanks and please made more post like this one
6 Fleawin May 20th, 2008 at 11:48 am
using Opera 9.27 on Windows XP

Nice list! Thanks a lot.

But even if I understand these configuration-options are not for everyone, I still think they should be more accessible to the user. This is far from intuitive. (please let some opera-dev see this post).
7 Tamil May 20th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
using Opera 9.50 on Ubuntu Linux

I didn’t know about history navigation mode

I’m surprised, you didn’t find this for almost 2 years. You should read Opera Changelogs carefully.

Is there any chance of changing text highlight color when searching text in source code.

AFAIK, no.
8 Q May 20th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
using Opera 9.50 on Windows Server 2003

opera:config#UserPrefs|MaxVisitedPagesIndexSize isn’t used anymore, setting does nothing at the moment and will soon be removed
9 Madis May 20th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
using Opera 9.50 on Windows XP

Wow, the opera:config#UserPrefs|AllowEmptyWorkspace is really fastening up the start time of Opera.
10 Kyle Baker May 20th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
using Opera 9.50 on Linux

@Madis

Wow, the opera:config#UserPrefs|AllowEmptyWorkspace is really fastening up the start time of Opera.

I’ve found that enabling the option to minimize tabs by clicking them, and minimizing them all before closing Opera (so they’re all minimized on the next start) has helped my start time significantly.

I minimize all of the tabs in each window except for a few that I’m working with at any given moment. Doing both of these, I’ve found that Opera starts faster and also during use is faster and more responsive since many of the tabs are minimized. Just feels faster.

I never have an empty window.
11 Rhonnysparks May 20th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
using Opera 9.50 on Linux

I’m surprised, you didn’t find this for almost 2 years. You should read Opera Changelogs carefully.

has it really been nearly 2 years? I remember at one point noticing that history navigation was reloading some pages but I thought it was a weekly bug…but then it never went away.
Anyway I definitely should pay more attention to changelogs :p

on a side note: how come it says my platform is linux even though I’m running ubuntu (7.10)?
12 Manoj May 20th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
using Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0 on Windows XP

Wow! Thanks Tamil.
13 jimbo May 20th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
using Opera 9.50 on Windows Vista

Thanks, that was very helpful
14 Tamil May 20th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
using Opera 9.50 on Ubuntu Linux

has it really been nearly 2 years?

Yes, Opera 9.00 was released on June 20, 2006.

how come it says my platform is linux even though I’m running ubuntu (7.10)?

You user agent string should contain Ubuntu. Check your user agent.
15 André T. May 21st, 2008 at 3:20 am
using Opera 9.27 on Windows XP

Can I change the Speed Dial search engine? And what does the “Allow Empty Workspace” feature?
16 Tamil May 21st, 2008 at 3:44 am
using Opera 9.50 on Ubuntu Linux

Can I change the Speed Dial search engine?

Yes, see How to set default search engine & Speed Dial search engine in Opera?

And what does the “Allow Empty Workspace” feature?

It will allow you to close last tab (Speed Dial).
17 André T. May 21st, 2008 at 3:50 am
using Opera 9.27 on Windows XP

Thanks Tamil.
18 Madis May 21st, 2008 at 5:38 am
using Opera 9.50 on Windows XP

@Kyle Baker

I’ve found that enabling the option to minimize tabs by clicking them, and minimizing them all before closing Opera (so they’re all minimized on the next start) has helped my start time significantly.

I minimize all of the tabs in each window except for a few that I’m working with at any given moment. Doing both of these, I’ve found that Opera starts faster and also during use is faster and more responsive since many of the tabs are minimized. Just feels faster.

I never have an empty window.

I actually have chosen that Opera starts up with empty window, as I usually don’t resume browsing my previously opened pages. However, if I want to do that I just save the session.
19 Rhonnysparks May 21st, 2008 at 9:10 am
using Opera 9.50 on Linux

Ok I checked and my user agent doesn’t contain ubuntu, I wonder why not?
20 Tamil May 21st, 2008 at 11:19 am
using Opera 9.50 on Ubuntu Linux

Ok I checked and my user agent doesn’t contain ubuntu, I wonder why not?

Opera won’t send Ubuntu along user agent but Ubuntu Firefox will send.
21 Tamil May 22nd, 2008 at 2:08 am
using Opera 9.50 on Ubuntu Linux

opera:config#UserPrefs|MaxVisitedPagesIndexSize isn’t used anymore, setting does nothing at the moment and will soon be removed

Thanks updated with opera:config#UserPrefs|VisitedPages
22 Pierre May 22nd, 2008 at 8:27 am
using Opera 9.50 on Windows XP

Opera won’t send Ubuntu along user agent but Ubuntu Firefox will send.

To append “Ubuntu” or any other words/numbers, User-Agent can be slightly tuned with opera:config#ISP|Id option
23 Tamil May 22nd, 2008 at 3:00 pm
using Opera 9.50 on Ubuntu Linux

To append “Ubuntu” or any other words/numbers, User-Agent can be slightly tuned with opera:config#ISP|Id option

Thanks, added.
24 yellowfour Jun 12th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
using Opera 9.50 on Windows XP

awesome page. thanks yous.
25 illoperathat Jun 22nd, 2008 at 2:26 am
using Opera 9.50 on Windows Vista

Thanks some very useful
26 noobie Jun 22nd, 2008 at 7:00 am
using Opera 9.50 on Windows XP

Hi i just want to ask, how to turn off URL Look-up in version 9.5
27 Tamil Jun 22nd, 2008 at 9:38 am
using Opera 9.51 on Ubuntu Linux

Disable opera:config#UserPrefs|AutoDropdown
28 noobie Jun 22nd, 2008 at 7:16 pm
using Internet Explorer 7.0 on Windows XP

Thanks Tamil
29 jip Jun 23rd, 2008 at 4:29 am
using Opera 9.50 on Windows XP

hi all
does anyone know how to display a media inspector, as we can find on other browsers ?
it just displays all media files loaded on the page, with minimum info about them …
thanks
30 Tamil Jun 23rd, 2008 at 7:01 am
using Opera 9.51 on Ubuntu Linux

@jip, please ask in Opera forums.
31 Notumbo Jun 25th, 2008 at 11:38 am
using Opera 9.50 on Windows 2000

Nice list, very helpful. But here’s a request:

The URL address bar has one specific shortcoming - you can’t customize the list. You can’t change the display order (from last entered on top to first entered, or alpheabetical, for example). This would make finding web addresses easier. I upgraded to 9.5 recently, and I was surprised to see it scambled my history list - everything is still there, but its all out of any kind of order. I ended up clearing my History as a result, and now am starting over. But I want to be able to customize the order of display.

Any thoughts?

About this blog

Opera Watch, an Opera browser blog, is run by Daniel Goldman, who used to work for Opera Software as a Technical Evangelist.

Subscribe to Opera Watch, and stay in touch with the latest Opera browser buzz.

Opera Mini

Opera Tips

(More opera tips)

Search Opera Watch

Contact

Daniel Goldman: daniel@operawatch.com.

- Editor in chief
  
  Daniel Goldman
- Bloggers
  
  Arthur Wilkinson
- Kyle Baker
- Kelson Vibber
- Tamil
- Charlie Reinehr
- David Storey

Opera Links

Official Opera blogs

Blogs by Opera employees
- Opera Watch
- Lawrence Eng
- David Storey
- Haavard
- Rijk
- Tim Altman
- Hallvord Steen
- Csant
- Yngve Pettersen
- Chris Mills

Opera on Social Sites

Opera fan blogs
- ::English::
- Planet Opera
- Saito
- Avencius
- Opera Tips & Tricks
- Opera Fan
- Fav Browser
- ::Russian::
- Opera Fan
- MyOpera
- ::German::
- Opera Fansite
- Opera Info
- Tobbis blog
- ::Polish::
- Adas
- Quiris
- Opera Planet
- Wybierz Opere
- ::Japanese::
- Choose Opera
- Saito
- Opera News
- Opera Japan
- Kuruman Log
- ::Spanish::
- Suribe
- Opera Tips & Tricks
- ::Italian::
- Opera Zone
- Risidoro
- Babox
- ::French::
- Opera FR
- ::Hungarian::
- Magyar Opera
- ::Indonesian::
- Opera Indonesia
- The Sandalian
- ::Chinese::
- Thruth
- M2Y
- ::Portuguese::
- Mundo Opera
- ::Turkish::
- Opera Turkiye
- ::Czech::
- Opera Cesky
- ::Dutch::
- Opera Nederlands
- Surf Opera
- ::Hebrew::
- Kehilat Eivrit
- ::Slovak::
- Opera Prehliadac

Note: I encourage you to copy and translate my blog posts to your non-English blog. Do you have an Opera blog (with more than 90% of the content Opera-related)? Let me know and I'll add it to the list above.

About Opera

Q: What is Opera?
A: Opera is one of the most powerful Web browsers around. A Web browser is the program that allows you to view Web pages. Opera is well known for innovation for PC browsers and bringing the full web to mobile phones and devices.

Q: Is Opera free?
A: Absolutely free.

Q: Why should I download a browser? Doesn't my computer already come with one for free?
A: It's about getting more out of the time you spend on the internet. Opera is designed to be much faster than these browsers and gives you powerful features that the default browser lacks. Default browsers like Internet Explorer are also more likely to be subjected to dangerous software such as viruses and spyware.

Q: Will Opera keep me safe from fraudulent websites and malicious hackers?
A: According to Secunia, a respected firm that tracks security in browsers, Opera has the best reputation and track record when it comes to browser security. Keeping our users safe from security vulnerabilities, fraudulent websites, and malicious hackers is a top priority for Opera. Opera is maintained by hundreds of engineers, developers and security experts who are constantly looking to make the browser even safer.

Q: Doesn't Opera copy all of their features from other browsers?
A: Absolutely not. In fact, many of the features that are popular in other browsers today were invented and pioneered by Opera a long time ago. Opera invented the precursor to tabs (in 1994), Page Zoom (1994), was the first browser to block pop-up ads (2000), first to add a Search field in the browser toolbar (2000), Sessions (1996), deleting private data (2000), Mouse Gestures (2000), User JavaScript (2005), BitTorrent support (2005), Widgets (2006), Speed Dial (2007), and much more.

Q: Does Opera support extensions, such as those found in Firefox?
A: Much of the functionality provided through Firefox extensions is already built directly into Opera, so you don't have to download additional extensions in Opera. In addition, Opera is highly customizable and supports all standard plug-ins.

Q: Can I also use Opera on my mobile phone?
A: Yes. And your Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS or almost any connected device and mobile phones. Opera Mobile oftens comes preinstalled from the manufacturers, but if it doesn't you can install Opera Mini which runs on nearly all phones.

Q: This all sounds great, so how do I download Opera?
A: -- Opera on your computer
-- Opera Mini on your phone
-- Opera Mobile on your phone
-- or learn more about Opera at www.opera.com