ctrlw
A no-op extension. Useful for killing the dreaded Ctrl-W hotkey!
What is ctrlw?
ctrlw is a unique Chrome extension that counteracts the often bothersome Ctrl-W hotkey, which usually closes tabs. This hotkey frequently disrupts browsing by closing tabs when the user intends to delete a word. To solve this problem, 'ctrlw' remaps this hotkey to essentially do nothing, thereby preventing unintended tab closure. An additional command allows you to close the current tab using Alt-W. ctrlw effectively turns a commonly problematic hotkey into an optional feature, lifting an unintentional barrier to efficient web browsing.
Extension stats
By: Sam Lazarus
Rating: 3.82
(17)
Creation date: 2018-08-01
Manifest version: 2
Size: 19.80K
Email: sa*****@turtlecodeapps.com
Other platforms
Not available on Firefox
Not available on Edge
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Extension summary
I wrote this extension after the thousandth time I had closed a tab while meaning to delete a word. If you are tired of Chrome hijacking your muscle memory on ^W, this extension is for you! It provides two commands, one which does nothing, and one which closes the current tab. If you map the former to Ctrl-W, and the latter to Alt-W, you will never again mistakenly close a tab!
A future version may include the expected Ctrl-W functionality, but don't hold your breath.
User reviews
These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews.
Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate,
spammy, or outdated. Pros
- Works well on ChromeOS
- Allows disabling of Ctrl + W to prevent accidental tab closing
- Easy to set up by assigning shortcuts in chrome://extensions/shortcuts
- Useful for users with specific applications that use Ctrl + W for other functions
Cons
- Does not work on certain Chrome versions and Windows 10
- Some users report it doesn't work without additional setup
- Limited functionality for managing shortcuts beyond Ctrl + W
Most mentioned
- Need to set keyboard shortcuts in chrome://extensions/shortcuts
- Requires assigning Ctrl + W to a 'do nothing' action
- Functionality may not work on older versions of Chrome
Recent reviews
Thank you so much.
To save other writers 30 seconds, please add instructions on how to bind keys to the extensions functions.
by 
Martin Bergman, 2024-03-03
Martin Bergman, 2024-03-03Works perfectly for me on ChromeOS, just had to change the keyboard shortcut from the extensions menu as other reviewers have mentioned.
by 
David Saad, 2024-02-14
David Saad, 2024-02-14working in 122.0.6261.6 set first : chrome://extensions/shortcuts
by 
Leo Tango, 2024-02-04
Leo Tango, 2024-02-04Extension safety
Risk impact
ctrlw does not require any sensitive permissions.
Risk likelihood
ctrlw has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.
Upgrade to see risk analysis details
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