Opera Software is famous for quietly removing features from its browser, one instance that’s proved is in the case of Opera Turbo where the feature dropped without any announcement, another feature has got vanished from Opera in this fashion (although from developer version), this time its Instant Search. The latest Opera developer also loses Tab Menu (which you’ll find on the right side of the tab bar to check recently closed and open tabs) and adds Search in Tabs option to the Opera menu.
Instant Search
Opera Instant Serch feature allows searching the web and open tabs without leaving the page you’re on in a popup search box that appears when you press the Alt+Space shortcut or when you select the magnifying glass icon on the sidebar. You can able to switch between tab and web modes by using the Tab button on your keyboard.
With the latest Opera 69 developer update, you’ll find no references of Instant Search in Settings, sidebar option has been removed as well and pressing the Alt+Space shortcut now opens the window frame. Generally, instant Search is enabled by default and you can disable or re-enable it by toggling the switch present under the Battery Saver in Opera browser Options, the setting is no longer present in the developer version.
Another change that may annoy users is the disappearance of the tab menu, which is useful to access recently closed tabs, now you need to access History panel on the sidebar to see them.
Search in Tabs
Newly added Search in Tabs seems to be a curtailed version of Instant Search without the web Search. The Search for tabs has been kept as it is and the shortcut Ctrl+Space still works without any issues, you’ll find the Search in tabs option in the Opera menu also.
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I didn’t believe it was true until you wrote it. such a shame, instant search was by faaaaaar their best feature.
Yeah this was definitely my favorite feature. I keep pressing alt+space subconsciously but nothing happens.
Why would they get rid of tab menu, this really makes me want to switch to another browser….
For the sake of it.
What a shame! I may just downgrade to an earlier version just so I can get that feature back!