# LoadTabOnSelect 3

> Stops loading the content of the tab opened in the background, such as by clicking the middle mouse button. Reduces the instantaneous peak CPU load and network load when opening many links at once. Other miscellaneous functions related to tabs.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/loadtabonselect3](https://chrome-stats.com/d/loadtabonselect3)

## Overview

- **ID:** `loadtabonselect3`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** zupffwhy
- **Category:** appearance,photos-music-videos,other,tabs
- **Daily users:** 231
- **Weekly downloads:** 4
- **Rating:** 3.90 / 5 (21 ratings)
- **Version:** 1.2025.1120.1
- **Last updated:** 2025-11-25
- **First published:** 2018-07-29
- **Size:** 150 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-06
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/loadtabonselect3/)

## Description

**LoadTabOnSelect 3** is a powerful Chrome extension designed to optimize your browser's performance by preventing background tabs from loading automatically, such as when opened with the middle mouse button. This feature significantly reduces instantaneous CPU and network load, especially useful when opening numerous links simultaneously. Tabs only load their content when selected, enhancing browsing efficiency.

Beyond deferred loading, the extension offers advanced tab management functionalities: discard, hide, restore closed tabs, and auto-discard based on idle time. It supports loading tabs sequentially to balance resource use, and customizable tab strip displays, including favicons or custom text. LoadTabOnSelect 3 improves browser responsiveness and provides greater control over tab management, perfect for users juggling multiple tabs without taxing system resources.

## Rankings

- #7,698 — Overall
- #105 — loading
- #115 — sell
- #125 — reduce
- #161 — tabellenkalkulation
- #166 — selection

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `tabs`
- `storage`
- `webRequest`
- `webRequestBlocking`
- `history`
- `menus`
- `contextMenus`
- `tabHide`
- `sessions`
- `notifications`
- `cookies`
- `contextualIdentities`
- `management`
- `<all_urls>`

## Safety

- **Risk impact:** High risk impact
- **Risk likelihood:** Moderate risk likelihood

### Analysis details

- Grants access to browser tabs, which can be used to track user browsing habits and history, presenting a privacy concern.
- This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.

> Some risk analysis details are omitted from this free response. [Upgrade to view the full analysis](https://chrome-stats.com/pricing).

## Similar extensions and apps

- [LoadTabOnSelect Evolution](https://chrome-stats.com/d/loadtabonselect-evolution) — 9 users, 3.83 / 5
- [Load Background Tabs Lazily](https://chrome-stats.com/d/load-background-tabs-lazily) — 489 users, 4.55 / 5
- [Loaded Tabs Limiter](https://chrome-stats.com/d/loaded-tabs-limiter) — 6 users, 5.00 / 5
- [HoldTab](https://chrome-stats.com/d/holdtab) — 111 users, 3.96 / 5
- [Load Tabs Sequentially](https://chrome-stats.com/d/load-tabs-sequentially) — 12 users, 4.50 / 5
- [Sequential Tab Loader](https://chrome-stats.com/d/sequential-tab-loader) — 53 users, 5.00 / 5
- [Load Background Tabs on Select](https://chrome-stats.com/d/load-background-tabs-on-select) — 161 users, 4.67 / 5
- [ForceLoadTabs](https://chrome-stats.com/d/forceloadtabs) — 1 users, 5.00 / 5
- [UnloadTabs](https://chrome-stats.com/d/unload-tabs) — 2,991 users, 4.42 / 5
- [Load Times](https://chrome-stats.com/d/load-times) — 5.00 / 5
- [Tab Customizer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/tab-customizer) — 1 users

---

Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/loadtabonselect3)