Yandex company blog,

Interfaces,

Usability

Today we are ready to announce that the version of Yandex.Browser that we are working on as part of the Cousteau project is joining its main beta. We know that many people here use it, and now you will have the opportunity to switch between the new mode and the traditional interface.

At the end of November last year, our team for the first time shared with the public its vision of what Yandex.Browser will become in the future. To be honest, we didn’t expect there to be so many public reviews. For comparison: the flow of proposals and bug reports sent from Cousteau was even greater than after the release of the very first version of Yandex.Browser in 2012. It is not surprising that throughout December we were actively engaged in analyzing your messages, which largely determined our scope of work for the coming months.

We want to make it convenient for Yandex.Browser beta testing participants to track changes in the Cousteau project and not have to use two different assemblies for this. And now I will tell you about the results of our work on the new browser over the past month.

Disable tab grouping

One of the most popular topics that our users spoke about was the layout of the tabs. In the beta version they will still remain below, but we are working on them different variants and continue experiments. We want to talk about them separately. And today I would like to touch on the issue of grouping tabs. Moreover, many support requests were dedicated specifically to it and allowed us to create a list of priority fixes.

We talked in detail about the ideological rationale for grouping tabs last time. Now we will share with you the statistics that prompted our team to work on this opportunity.

Contrary to popular belief, for most users, two or three tabs are not enough for everyday life on the Internet. Moreover, about 10% of us open more than ten tabs for our tasks. And almost 3% use over 20. For example, for me this is a normal working condition. Can you imagine what two or three dozen are? open tabs in the browser? I know colleagues who have hundreds of tabs open.

It would be wrong to simply count the number of open tabs and introduce forced grouping based on this data. Based on the basic idea that websites are applications, we initially focused on grouping by domain, but it was impossible to make a decision without checking. In particular, it could accidentally turn out that users with 20 tabs have 20 different sites open, and in this case there is no question of any benefit. And here's what we counted:

The results showed that more than ten sites are open for 4% of users versus 10% for tabs. What does this mean? The fact that grouping really makes sense for many users, but not for everyone. We understood from the very beginning that there was a risk of making life difficult for those who only had a few tabs open. And your requests after the alpha launch confirmed your fears.

The most simple solution There would be an option in the settings to enable/disable grouping. But the question remains: should grouping work by default? Should we target those who work with two or three sites at the same time? And where is the line beyond which a group is definitely needed? Questions like these fuel our future work. Among several options, we are, for example, considering an algorithm in which grouping would be offered to users who have crossed the threshold of N simultaneously open domains.

Background tabs

Another problem that has been confirmed through support requests concerns the opening of tabs in the background - when you select “Open in new tab” through the context menu of a link (or click with the middle mouse button). In our alpha, such pages were sometimes opened within inactive groups, and it was not at all obvious where to look for it now.

To solve this problem, it was necessary to somehow highlight the tabs open in the background from all the others. And at the same time, select the inactive group in which such a tab was located. We didn’t want to reinvent the wheel at all (because we really wanted to fix this situation in the first update), so we used a well-known method - each background tab now has circle-shaped labels. Let us recall that in a similar way we mark those search tips, which are formed based on your visit history.

It would seem that the background tabs have been successfully selected and are not difficult to find. We decided to put together an assembly and test our solution on volunteers. There were no problems with the circle. Background tabs have become more visually noticeable. The problem lurked on the other side, and for the time being it was successfully masked by the inconvenience of searching for tabs. This is what it boils down to: If a background tab opens in an inactive group, then you need to make two clicks to get to the content. This is a whole click more than we are used to.

The only reasonable, non-clickable option we have come up with is to temporarily disable grouping for such tabs. You open a background tab, but it doesn't go into the group, but sits next to it until the group is viewed or the group is expanded.

Order of activation of tabs

Another direction for us was working on the order in which tabs are opened. Let us remember that on this moment after closing the active tab, focus goes to the tab on the right (standard logic in Chromium). Not the most ideal mechanics, we agree. But it didn’t cause any special problems until the group appeared. Now users are faced with a situation where, after closing the rightmost tab in the group, a tab from a completely different group becomes active. This is not taken so lightly.

Therefore, in the beta version we implemented new, experimental logic, which is well known to many users of the old Opera. It is not the tab on the right that becomes active, but the one that was used previously. This is not the final version yet, but it would be interesting to know the community's opinion now

Optimization for weak computers

The graphic effects used in the new Yandex.Browser work quite well (let's make allowance for the fact that just yesterday it was alpha) on computers with modern video accelerators (conventionally labeled as HD). However, there is equipment that, unlike us, is not at all happy with smooth blurs and other graphic delights in the browser. We don’t want to turn a blind eye to this, so we are constantly looking for ways to optimize.

At the first stage (that is, already in the current beta), Yandex Browser will disable blur and replace it with a white fill with opacity 0.9 for devices with weak video cards (GMA). A compromise option. Not very impressive, but it can already work.
There is also a third category. These are the most problematic video cards that can even be banned at the Chromium level, or the browser does not have access to work with such devices. Such equipment cannot cope with even the simplest opacity, so in this case we will use a simple white backing.

This is what we have already done for the first beta. In future releases we will try to talk about our other plans aimed at increasing productivity.

Bookmarks

From the very beginning, we did not hide the fact that we do not plan to cut bookmarks from the browser. However, they did not simply copy them from the current traditional interface to the new one. Regular panel The bookmarks bar located under the address bar does not fit into the new interface at all. And it's not a matter of design. There's no big problem with making it semi-transparent (although doing so would make it difficult to work with transparency in some situations). And it’s not even that we don’t have a classic address bar in this place. Another line in the header is again the path to a clutter of panels and “striations” in the browser.

In current versions of Yandex.Browser there is a fairly popular option among users that allows you to display bookmarks only by clicking on them. address bar. This way, your bookmarks are just a click away without taking up space when you don't need them. It is this experience that we applied in the new interface, moving bookmarks to the Inside Out and a new tab.

Switching between Cousteau and traditional interface

As was said at the very beginning, new beta version Yandex Browser allows everyone to choose the interface in which they are comfortable working. The corresponding item can be found in the main menu.

We never tire of repeating that bug reports sent to us (or just comments on Habré) matter. We listen and react. Sometimes it’s not as lightning fast as we would all like, but it really works.

Something else. The appearance of Cousteau

Although the browser is mainly updated to introduce new products and increase the level of PC security, that is, with good intentions, sometimes problems arise in its operation precisely after the update. For example, there may be difficulties with starting it. As already mentioned in the article, the request for a new version occurs automatically, and if you did not disable this function, the latest versions arrived on your PC automatically background.

What to do in such a situation? How to cancel updating Yandex Browser? Is it possible?

Rollback to the old version of Yandex Browser

In the browser settings you will not find any item about rollback, that is, you will not be able to remove updates using the tools of the browser itself. You will have to use completely different methods.

The browser allows you to return only the old program interface, nothing more. What drastic measures can be taken?

Switching to the old interface

If in the new version you are not satisfied only with the interface, the problem will be solved very quickly, since you can roll back the browser to the old design in the settings themselves.

1.Click on the menu and select “Settings”.

2.Find the “Turn off new interface” button.

3.In the new tab you will be notified that the new interface has been disabled.

Restore Point to the rescue

Put away latest version Yandex Browser can be accessed using a recovery point or archive copies. If you have any, the problem will be solved - the browser will switch to previous version. However, the guarantee is that it will no longer be updated in automatic mode, No. Immediately after the rollback, delete the file that is responsible for the update. We'll talk about this below.

However, with your manually downloaded files (for example, folders or Word documents) nothing will happen: they will remain in their places. There's no need to worry about this.

Downloading an old browser version

Next method consists of reinstalling the browser. Uninstalling a program is not difficult: this can be done either through the Programs and Features window or through third-party utilities. The latter, however, provide a more thorough uninstallation: there will be no residual files, and subsequent re-installation of the old version will install without errors.

Loading an old version of the browser is what presents the problem, or rather finding it if installation file or you have not previously saved the archive. For some, it will seem strange that Yandex itself does not offer the ability to download old versions of the browser. This is only possible in Opera.

Old versions are available on third-party resources on the Internet, but using them, to put it mildly, is undesirable, because they may contain viruses that threaten your computer.

Therefore, refrain from using this method unless you are sure that you will not be able to distinguish a secure site from an unsecure one. The ideal solution to the issue may be if you already have a separately saved installation archive.

How to disable automatic updates?

What to remember? Automatic update Unfortunately, it is not possible to disable it completely.

Method 1: Disable in the background

In essence, this method will only help reduce traffic and CPU load on your PC.

1.Open the “Settings” section in the menu.

Method two: deleting the file

This method inconvenient in the sense that you can get confused in folders, since you will need to delete the file manually. But the method is the most effective. Moreover, everything deleted files You can return it later if you wish.

1.Go to the YandexBrowser folder, which is located on system disk. As a rule, this is drive C. Several folders with browser versions will appear in front of you. Each contains only the service_update.exe file. Calmly get rid of these folders.

2.Launch a folder called Application.

3.You will see a folder in the list. Its name will correspond to the current version of the browser.

4.Log into it and find service_update.exe and yupdate-exec.exe. They can be deleted: right-click to open the context menu and select the appropriate item.

Even after the file has been forced out of your computer's memory, you can update to a new version.

If you do not want to update, then you should not check for updates manually, since the browser can then update its system.

Browser updates cannot be removed so easily: you will have to work a little to achieve the result. Is it worth doing? If you don’t have an urgent need for this, then it’s better not to.

To be honest, I don’t remember when this happened, but somehow I downloaded Yandex Browser, installed it and then bam - new design. I didn’t even realize right away that this was a new design, I thought maybe it was a different browser altogether. I had some clouds that were moving... At the same time, it was unusual, because there was no standard window and in general the design of the browser was not that bad... just kind of strange, well, not like other browsers

Just a minute, guys! I managed to do this, for real! What am I talking about? Well, of course, about how to return old design Yandex Browser, everything worked out, I found a way to do it and shared it with you! So go ahead, read about it!

To be honest, I didn’t think that it was possible to return the old design of Yandex Browser, because I was already used to the fact that something normal is often made into something inconvenient, but it turned out that it is possible to return everything to the way it was before

The new design of Yandex Browser is like this:

I don’t know about you, but it doesn’t look very good to me, well, it’s too unusual and these clouds, what kind of tricks are these..

In general, at the top, in the upper right corner there is a button, an icon of such horizontal sticks, click it and in the menu that appears, select Settings:

By the way, you can also get to the settings if you simply go to this address:

browser://settings

By the way! It turns out that in the settings you can also disable Yandex Zen, I don’t know what it is, but I definitely don’t need it! To disable it, you need to uncheck this box:

Well, now regarding the design, we turn the settings further and there will be a Show additional settings button at the bottom, click it:

Let's move on, by the way, sorry for being off-topic again, but if anything happens, there is also the necessary option to enable blocking of shock advertising. So what? If you are as disgusted by this advertising as I am, then check the box here:

Long story short, I scrolled and scrolled and couldn’t find the setting! But this can’t be, because I remember exactly what it was! Damn, I was already scared, I thought maybe they removed this option to disable the new design, but fortunately not! It’s just that before it seemed like it was a check mark, so I was looking for it... But it turns out to be a button and it’s not in the additional settings.. In general, it’s next to the checkbox for disabling some kind of Zen, in general, here’s this button:

I clicked this button, then there was this message, I clicked Turn Off.

Yandex.Browser started out as a clone Google Chrome. The difference in browsers was minimal, but over time the company turned its product into an independent browser, which is increasingly chosen by users as the main one.

The first thing any program seeks to change is the interface. This is especially important for a browser, since a lot depends on a well-thought-out and implemented interface. And if it turns out to be unsuccessful, then users will simply switch to another browser. That is why Yandex.Browser, having decided to update its interface to a modern one, decided to leave all its users happy: anyone who does not like the modern interface can disable it in the settings. In the same way, anyone who has not yet switched from the old interface to the new one can do this using the Yandex Browser settings. We will tell you how to do this in this article.

If you are still using the old browser interface and would like to keep up with the times, then in a few clicks you can update appearance browser. To do this, click on the button " Menu" and select " Settings»:

Find the block " Appearance Settings" and click on the button " Enable new interface»:

In the confirmation window, click " Turn on»:

Wait for the browser to restart.

Disabling the new Yandex Browser interface

Well, if, on the contrary, you decide to return to the old interface, then do it this way. Click on the button Menu" and select " Settings»:

In the block " Appearance Settings» click on the button « Disable new interface»:

In the confirmation window about switching to the classic interface, click " Switch off»:

The browser will restart with the classic interface.

This is how easy it is to switch between styles in the browser. We hope you found this information useful.

Yandex browser is one of the most popular and fast browsers today, it is almost as good as Google Chrome. Accordingly, due to its great popularity, developers are actively involved in covering up holes and introducing new technologies, including changing the design of the browser.

For many users, the updated mode is not suitable, for various reasons - from unpreparedness for changes to increased system glitches. In the updated mode, in addition to the redesign, live wallpapers appeared, which, in turn, load the system more. Plus, due to the fact that the design is new, various glitches may occur. Still, the main reason why users want to return the old Yandex is the lack of official Windows support XP, because the system has not yet completely become a thing of the past.

There are two main ways to return the old design:

1. Use the standard design return function provided by the developers;
2. Use a distribution kit of older versions.

For users who simply want to return Yandex to its old form, but the browser itself works without glitches, the first method is suitable. Users who have difficulty using the new version of the browser will be able to use the second method.

How to return the old Yandex interface?

The replacement of the interface is envisaged by the developers, most likely only at first, so that there is no panic around the design change, because people are designed in such a way that they do not perceive changes well. Since such a function exists, using it will not be difficult, you need:

• Open the Yandex browser;

• Go to your browser settings by clicking on the three horizontal bars icon located in the upper right corner and selecting the appropriate option;
• Next you will see the “Appearance settings” column;
• Here you should click on the large “Turn off new interface” button.

Thanks to these simple steps, you can return the familiar and beloved appearance of your browser without using any crutches or additional programs.

How to return the old version of Yandex?

This section is intended to restore not only the previous browser interface, but also install an older version of it along with it.

The need for this action arises mainly from Windows users XP, which may experience difficulties using the updated browser.

But still others OS may be subject to lags or glitches that were not present in the previous version.

There are at least 3 options to achieve your goal: get a portable browser distribution with the version you need, ask technical support to provide previous versions of the browser, or roll back the system.

Using a restore point

It is best to return the old Yandex browser using a system rollback, although the method implies that before that you had a fully working and successful version of the browser installed and you created a restore point at that time.

The method is quite simple and, most likely, you won’t even have to roll back the entire system to the saved point. You should simply:

• Right-click on the Yandex browser shortcut and select the “Properties” option;
• Next, click on the “File Location” button;
• Exit the folder by going to the root section of the directory;
• Now right-click on the folder in which the browser files are located and select “Restore previous version”;

• Next, select the point you need and follow the instructions.

If this method does not help you, you will have to clear the user data (cookies, cache, etc.) of the browser and try again or return the entire system to a restore point.

Installing an old distribution

Officially, Yandex does not provide access to outdated versions of the program, but there are ways to still obtain the program.

A regular online installation file will not suit you in any case, since the current version will be downloaded from the site. Only the portable stable version will help you here.

There are two ways to find a suitable file: simply search on the Internet or ask technical support. If you choose the option with independent search, you may encounter a situation where the distribution is infected with a virus or there are extensions that display advertisements. In this case, it is better to search on trusted file hosting services, reducing the risk of system infection.

There is also the opportunity to request a distribution kit from browser technical support, explaining the situation with lags in your system of the new version. Usually support responds to such requests and provides a download link.

Most likely, before installation, you will have to delete information about the operation of the new browser so that errors do not occur during installation and use. Often, if this is not done, then the browser does not allow you to log into your account in the browser and receive information from the cloud (passwords, user settings, extensions).

Also, probably, immediately after installing the version you need, it will simply be updated to the latest one and you will have to start the installation again from the beginning. In this case, you should find a file called updater.exe in the browser folder (sometimes in the user information folder) and simply delete it. To remove it, you may have to first end the process from the Task Manager; it will have the same name.

Thanks to the methods described in the article, you can both simply return the usual and convenient appearance of the browser, and restore its functionality after an update.

If you still have questions on the topic “How to return the old design of the Yandex browser?”, You can ask them in the comments

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