The Ultimate Guide to Migrating from Firefox to Arc Browser on Windows

Hey there! After years of using Firefox on Windows, I finally took the plunge and switched to Arc browser. The transition wasn’t exactly seamless, so I thought I’d document everything I learned to help anyone else making the switch. This guide covers everything from importing your data to mastering Arc’s unique features.

Migration Basics: Getting Your Data Into Arc

First things first, let’s get all your Firefox data into Arc.

Importing Your Browsing Data

  1. Launch Arc and navigate to Settings (click the three dots in the bottom left corner)
  2. Select “Import from Firefox/Chrome” from the menu options
  3. Choose what to import – bookmarks, history, passwords, and autofill information
  4. Wait for the import to complete – this usually takes less than a minute depending on how much data you’re bringing over

UNIQUE TIP: Before importing, organize your Firefox bookmarks into logical folders that will translate well to Arc’s space-based system. This pre-organization will save you hours of manual sorting later.

Setting Up Your Arc Account

Creating an Arc account is technically optional but highly recommended for a seamless experience:

  1. Click the profile icon in the bottom left corner of the browser
  2. Select “Create Account” and follow the prompts
  3. Verify your email to activate sync functionality
  4. Enable syncing for your preferred content (spaces, tabs, favorites, etc.)

UNIQUE TIP: Arc uses end-to-end encryption for syncing your browsing data, which means even Arc can’t see your information. This gives you Firefox-like privacy with Chrome-like sync reliability.

 

ArcBrowser

 

Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Power Users

As someone who lives by keyboard shortcuts in Firefox, I had to relearn quite a few when switching to Arc. Here are the most important ones:

Basic Navigation Shortcuts

Action Shortcut
New tab Ctrl + T
New window Ctrl + N
Close tab Ctrl + W
Reopen closed tab Ctrl + Shift + T
Focus address bar Ctrl + L
Navigate back/forward Alt + Left/Right Arrow
Reload page Ctrl + R
Hard reload Ctrl + Shift + R
Find in page Ctrl + F

UNIQUE TIP: I created a custom keyboard shortcut cheat sheet as my new tab page background for the first week. It accelerated my learning curve tremendously. You can do this by creating a custom website in Arc’s New Tab settings.

Arc-Specific Power Shortcuts

Action Shortcut
Save tab to sidebar Ctrl + S
Convert to split view Ctrl + Shift + S
Focus command bar Ctrl + E
Open Little Arc mini browser Ctrl + Shift + E
Switch to space by number Ctrl + 1-8
Archive current tab Ctrl + Shift + A
Switch between spaces Alt + Space
Toggle dark/light mode Ctrl + Shift + D

UNIQUE TIP: The Command Bar (Ctrl + E) is Arc’s secret weapon. It functions like Firefox’s Awesome Bar on steroids, allowing you to not just search but execute browser actions, change settings, and even create custom website modifications on the fly.

Mastering Arc’s Unique Features

Once I got past the basics, I discovered some features in Arc that I now can’t live without.

Understanding Spaces

Spaces in Arc are like having multiple browsers in one:

  1. Create topic-based workspaces by clicking the “+” in the sidebar
  2. Customize each space with its own color scheme and favorites
  3. Organize related tabs within spaces instead of using tab groups
  4. Switch between spaces using Alt + Space or clicking in the sidebar
  5. Create temporary spaces for project-specific browsing that you can delete when finished

UNIQUE TIP: I created a dedicated “Reading” space with customized reader-friendly settings like default dark mode and text size adjustments. I save interesting articles here throughout the week, then set aside dedicated reading time without distractions.

Maximizing the Command Bar (Ctrl + E)

The Command Bar is Arc’s Swiss Army knife:

  1. Access universal search to find tabs, history, and bookmarks
  2. Execute browser commands without digging through menus
  3. Create Boosts (custom site modifications) directly from the Command Bar
  4. Jump to specific settings without navigating through menus
  5. Search the web with your preferred search engine

UNIQUE TIP: Type “=” followed by a mathematical expression in the Command Bar for instant calculations, or type “weather” followed by a location for quick forecasts – no need to open a new tab or visit a website.

Revolutionary Tab Organization

Arc rethinks how tabs work in a browser:

  1. Favorites: Pin frequently used sites to sidebar for permanent access
  2. Today Tabs: Temporary tabs that auto-archive after 12 hours of inactivity
  3. Archive: Access previously visited tabs without cluttering your workspace
  4. Notes: Built-in notepad for quick thoughts and information

UNIQUE TIP: I enabled the “Auto-Archive” feature to automatically clean up my Today tabs after 8 hours of inactivity. This prevents tab buildup while still keeping my browsing history accessible – perfect for recovering from those “I had that tab open somewhere” moments.

Customizing Websites with Boosts

Boosts are Arc’s answer to Firefox’s userChrome.css and browser extensions:

  1. Create custom CSS and JavaScript to modify any website
  2. Block annoying elements like cookie notices or paywalls
  3. Enhance functionality of frequently used websites
  4. Share Boosts with others via export/import
  5. Apply Boosts globally or to specific sites

UNIQUE TIP: I created a “Reader Mode Boost” that strips away distractions on news sites by targeting common ad container classes. Unlike Firefox’s Reader Mode, my custom Boost preserves useful elements while removing only the distractions.

Power User Tips & Tricks

These advanced features are what won me over completely.

Creating Interactive Easels

Easels are collaborative canvases built right into your browser:

  1. Access Easels with Ctrl + Shift + N
  2. Drag and drop content from different websites
  3. Add notes, images, and links to organize information
  4. Share Easels with teammates for collaborative research
  5. Export Easels as PDFs or images

UNIQUE TIP: I use Easels for comparison shopping by dragging product images and descriptions from different sites onto a single canvas, adding my own notes about pros/cons, and sharing the results with friends to get their input before making a purchase.

Mastering Split View

Split view lets you browse multiple sites simultaneously:

  1. Enable split view with Ctrl + Shift + S
  2. Arrange splits horizontally or vertically
  3. Resize splits by dragging the divider
  4. Add more splits for complex workflows
  5. Save split configurations for future use

UNIQUE TIP: I created a research split view with a Google Doc on one side and my research sources on the other. As I find useful information, I can take notes without constantly switching tabs – a massive productivity boost.

Leveraging Little Arc

Little Arc is a miniature browser window for quick tasks:

  1. Open Little Arc with Ctrl + Shift + E
  2. Use it for quick searches without disrupting your main browsing
  3. Keep it persistent across spaces for universal access
  4. Drag content from Little Arc to your main browser or Easels
  5. Configure Little Arc with custom search engines

UNIQUE TIP: I set up Little Arc with Stack Overflow as the default search engine. This creates a dedicated programming help portal always available with a keyboard shortcut, separate from my regular browsing.

Optimizing Tab Previews

Arc’s visual tab management helps tame tab overload:

  1. Hover over tabs in the sidebar to see visual previews
  2. Quickly identify tabs without clicking through them
  3. Drag and drop tabs between spaces
  4. Group related tabs by color or position
  5. Quickly close similar tabs to reduce duplication

UNIQUE TIP: Hold Shift while hovering over a tab to see an expanded preview with active elements. This lets you interact with elements like video players or form inputs without fully switching to that tab – perfect for monitoring processes while working in another tab.

Advanced Browsing Configurations

Fine-tune Arc for your specific needs:

  1. Create multiple profiles for different contexts (work, personal, etc.)
  2. Install Chrome extensions directly from the Chrome Web Store
  3. Use the built-in task manager (Shift + Esc) to monitor resource usage
  4. Configure site-specific settings for cookies, JavaScript, and notifications
  5. Customize the new tab page with your preferred layout

UNIQUE TIP: Unlike Firefox, Arc lets you create “smart profiles” that automatically switch based on the website you’re visiting. I set up rules to automatically use my work profile for professional sites and my personal profile for everything else.

Best Practices for Firefox Windows Users

Adapting to the Sidebar Interface

Transitioning from Firefox’s horizontal tabs to Arc’s vertical sidebar requires some adjustment:

  1. Embrace the vertical space – modern monitors have plenty of horizontal room
  2. Use keyboard shortcuts to navigate between tabs efficiently
  3. Organize tabs into logical spaces rather than trying to see everything at once
  4. Pin your most-used sites as favorites for quick access
  5. Let go of tab hoarding – Arc’s archive system has you covered

UNIQUE TIP: If you’re struggling with the sidebar width, you can hold Alt while hovering near the edge of the sidebar to reveal a width adjustment handle. This lets you customize exactly how much screen real estate the sidebar occupies.

Mastering Keyboard-First Navigation

Arc is designed for keyboard efficiency:

  1. Learn the essential shortcuts first (Ctrl + E, Alt + Space)
  2. Practice space switching with Ctrl + number keys
  3. Use Command Bar for quick actions instead of clicking through menus
  4. Tab through interface elements with Tab and Shift + Tab
  5. Create custom keyboard shortcuts for your most frequent actions

UNIQUE TIP: I disabled my mouse for 30 minutes each day during my first week with Arc. This forced keyboard navigation dramatically increased my browsing speed once I got used to it.

Effective Tab Management Strategies

Say goodbye to 100+ open tabs with Arc’s intelligent organization:

  1. Embrace automatic archiving – your tabs aren’t gone, just tucked away
  2. Use spaces for contextual organization rather than keeping everything open
  3. Let temporary tabs expire in Today Tabs
  4. Save important pages as favorites rather than keeping tabs open
  5. Use Split View for truly multi-tasking scenarios

UNIQUE TIP: I set up a weekly “Tab Review” calendar reminder where I spend 10 minutes organizing my spaces and clearing unnecessary tabs. This regular maintenance prevents digital clutter and keeps my browser running smoothly.

Windows-Specific Considerations

Optimize Arc for the Windows environment:

  1. Configure Arc as your default browser in Windows settings
  2. Set up startup behavior to restore your previous session
  3. Adjust display scaling for high-DPI monitors
  4. Configure Windows notifications for browser alerts
  5. Set up Jump List shortcuts for quick access to specific spaces

UNIQUE TIP: I created a custom Windows shortcut that launches Arc with my Work space already open. This allows me to have task-specific desktop shortcuts (Work, Personal, Research) that open directly to the relevant browsing context.

Privacy Configuration

Maintain Firefox-level privacy in your new browser:

  1. Configure tracking prevention in Settings → Privacy
  2. Set up automatic cookie deletion for non-essential sites
  3. Create a separate space for privacy-sensitive browsing
  4. Review extension permissions regularly
  5. Configure site-specific privacy settings for trusted websites

UNIQUE TIP: Unlike Firefox, Arc allows you to create conditional privacy rules that change based on which Space you’re in. I set up stricter rules for my “Personal” space and more permissive ones for my “Work” space where I need certain trackers for functionality.

Transition Timeline: A Three-Week Plan

Week 1: Basic Setup and Familiarization

  1. Import your essential data from Firefox
  2. Set up 2-3 basic spaces (Work, Personal, Research)
  3. Learn the top 5 keyboard shortcuts and practice them daily
  4. Configure privacy settings to match your Firefox preferences
  5. Install your must-have extensions from the Chrome Web Store

UNIQUE TIP: Don’t uninstall Firefox right away. I kept Firefox installed with my complete profile intact as a safety net. This reduced my migration anxiety and gave me a fallback option while learning the new system.

Week 2: Exploring Power Features

  1. Create your first Boost to customize a frequently visited site
  2. Set up split views for common workflows
  3. Experiment with Easels for a current project
  4. Configure Little Arc with your preferred search engine
  5. Learn advanced keyboard shortcuts for spaces and command bar

UNIQUE TIP: I found an “Arc buddy” in a tech Discord server – someone who was already using the browser. We scheduled a 30-minute call where they showed me their setup and workflow. Seeing how someone else uses Arc revealed features I might not have discovered on my own.

Week 3: Full Migration and Optimization

  1. Move all regular browsing to Arc
  2. Fine-tune your spaces organization based on two weeks of usage
  3. Share feedback with the Arc team through the built-in feedback tool
  4. Create custom Boosts for your most-used websites
  5. Set up automatic archiving rules to match your browsing patterns

UNIQUE TIP: I documented my Arc setup in a note. I included my spaces configuration, favorite keyboard shortcuts, and custom Boosts. This “Arc system documentation” makes it easy to recover my preferred setup if I ever need to reinstall or move to a new computer.

Windows Performance Optimization

Get the most out of Arc on Windows:

  1. Enable hardware acceleration in Settings → Advanced for better performance
  2. Disable unused extensions to improve startup time and reduce memory usage
  3. Use the built-in task manager (Shift + Esc) to identify resource-hungry tabs
  4. Configure startup behavior to balance between speed and tab restoration
  5. Adjust memory usage limits in advanced settings if you have sufficient RAM

UNIQUE TIP: I created a scheduled task in Windows Task Scheduler that restarts Arc once a week during a time I’m not using my computer. This prevents memory build-up over time and keeps the browser running smoothly without manual intervention.

My Thoughts After Three Months with Arc

I’ve been using Arc as my primary browser for about three months now, and honestly, I don’t think I could go back to Firefox. The space-based organization and intelligent tab management have genuinely improved how I work online and reduced the tab chaos that was stressing me out.

That said, it took time to adjust. Give yourself at least three weeks before making a final judgment. There’s definitely a learning curve, but it’s worth climbing.

If you have any questions about specific features or workflow ideas, drop a comment below and I’ll try to help out based on my experience.