How do I revert to normal 'New Tab' behavior?

[Burloe]

This is part Q&A and feedback which is why I'm writing my issues with the affected feature.

Fairly recently, a new update changed how the New Tab and search/URL bar works, but I can't find any setting to turn it off or revert it whatsoever.

What feature:
When using Ctrl + T or pressing 'New Tab', instead of opening a blank tab(or default page), the URL bar is focused and once you've typed a site/search term to actually open the new tab.

Why I hate it:
It doesn't function as a new tab. When I press the new tab button or shortcut, I expect to be able to click on a bookmark to visit that site in a new tab. Instead, the tab were on previously(that's still shows) is visiting the site, erasing any progress you might've made to that site. Additionally, there are several times when I open a tab and enter a search word, need to click on another window or have unfocused the URL bar momentarily. Go back to write the search term and realize that I hadn't opened a new tab.

You can absolutely make the argument that this is inexperience and that I haven't gotten used to it but frankly, I simply just hate this new feature, I don't want to get used to it and I've lost a ton of progress because of it.

What to correct:
I'm not saying you should erase this feature. I just think the setting to turn it on should be more accessible/obvious. I've scoured through the settings page several times to find anything regarding the New Tab or the URL bar. I can't find it there, or anywhere. I'd expect to find the setting in General > Tabs, General > Browsing or in Tab Management but no, I can't see any settings pertaining to this. If by chance there isn't a setting to revert this, there absolutely should.

[ryantheerman]

i'm with you. i'm not a fan of the new behavior either.

while there is nowhere under "Settings" to toggle this, you can revert to the old, familiar new tab behavior by going to about:config and setting zen.urlbar.replace-newtab to false

[Burloe]

I see, thank you!
I always feel that having more options is always a net-positive but putting this new behavior in about:config is not enough. I can only assume that by not featuring this as an actual toggle setting, that they're moving forward with this as the native behavior and removing the new tab completely in the future which would be a big mistake(imo) if that's the case.

Please put this as a setting if any contributor is reading that!