This page lists every section of Acira Settings and every control in it, with what it does and the value it starts with. Use it to find a setting or to check a default.
Find a setting
Open Settings
Open the Acira menu and choose Settings. It stays at the foot of the menu, even if you hide other rows with Customize menu.
Or press Ctrl+,. On a Mac, press Cmd+,.
Settings opens in a tab. The sidebar on the left lists the sections in three groups. You holds Profiles, Appearance, Tabs and New tab. Browsing holds Search, Privacy, Connection, Passwords, Downloads and Extensions. Advanced holds Accessibility, Import & export, Languages, Shortcuts, Web apps and About. Back to browser at the foot of the sidebar goes back one page in the tab, or closes the tab if there is nothing to go back to.
The sections below follow the order of the sidebar. In each table, the Default column is the value Acira starts with on a new install.
Search Settings
The box at the top of every Settings page is labeled Search settings. Type a word such as cookies, zoom or dark mode. The list shows the matching controls and the section each one is in. Use the up and down arrow keys to move through it and Enter to open a result. Settings switches to that section, scrolls to the control and highlights it. Opening a result never changes a setting.
Press / (when you are not typing in a field) or Ctrl+F to move to the box. On a Mac, press Cmd+F.
Search also matches other names for a control. A result found that way shows Also known as and the name you matched.
If nothing matches as typed, Search corrects a small typo and says Showing results for followed by the corrected words. Words under four letters are not corrected.
Search lists the controls that are available right now. For example, Page zoom needs an open website, and the Reset rows appear while something differs from the default.
When nothing matches, it says No settings match your words. The Clear settings search button empties the box.
Which settings belong to a profile
Most settings apply to the whole browser. A few can differ per profile.
Appearance (Light, Dark or Auto) and the default search engine can be set for one profile. When you have two or more regular profiles, an Applies to row appears under each, with All profiles and This profile. A profile follows the shared setting until you choose This profile. The row is hidden with one profile and in private windows.
These are kept separately for each profile: the new tab page, toolbar buttons, the Acira menu layout, Favorites, the sidebar sections and the Pull requests folder, content filters, Block ads and trackers, clear on exit, Always use HTTPS, saved passwords, extensions, the proxy, spell checking, the language sent to websites and saved site permissions.
These apply to every window of the browser: the anti-tracking switches, Send Global Privacy Control, Secure DNS, Third-party cookies and the Tor settings. The network preferences take effect after you restart Acira.
In a private window the Privacy protections, Always use HTTPS, Clear browsing data and the proxy controls are greyed out. Passwords, Rewind, import and export, and installing web apps are not available. Extensions run only if you allowed them with Allow in private tabs, and you manage them from a regular window.
Clear on exit is not offered in a private window: it uses separate temporary storage. Protection lists says to manage list updates from an ordinary profile.
Spell checking and Favorites choices made in a private window are forgotten when it closes. The language sent to websites cannot be changed in a private window or a Tor window, and Tor requests use English.
The new tab background in private windows and Tor windows uses the built-in paintings, not the online collections.
The Tor settings (update, bridges, security level and onion sites) are in Connection.
Windows and Mac
Shortcuts use Ctrl on Windows and Cmd on a Mac, unless the Shortcuts section shows otherwise.
Viewing, copying, editing or exporting a saved password asks Windows (Windows Hello, or your Windows password if Hello is not set up) or macOS to verify it is you.
The Lock secured workspaces row reads Only when macOS locks on a Mac.
In Languages, the spell check Languages row appears on Windows, not on a Mac. On a Mac, spell checking uses the system languages.
Installed web apps are listed with where they appear: Start and the desktop on Windows, the Acira Apps folder in Applications on a Mac.
The Tor controls in Connection appear on Windows and on a Mac.
Profiles
Separate sign-ins, history and bookmarks for each person or purpose. Learn more in Profiles.
Your profiles
Setting
What it does
Default
Each profile row, with Open
Shows the profile name, its email if you added one, This window for the profile you are in and Default for the default profile. Open opens that profile. The profile you are in shows a check mark instead.
One profile named Personal
Edit / Done
Opens the editor for that profile in place. Done closes it.
Closed
Add photo… / Change photo… / Remove photo
Sets or removes a picture for the profile avatar from an image file on this computer. Remove photo shows once a photo is set.
No photo
Name
The profile name, up to 40 characters.
Personal, for the profile that exists at install
Initial
A letter, digit or emoji shown in the avatar. Leave it empty to use the starting letter of the name.
Empty
Email
Optional. Shown under the profile name in Acira. Never sent to websites.
Makes this profile the one that opens for links from other apps and when Acira starts with nothing to restore. New windows keep the profile of the window they come from.
Off. No profile is the default until you choose one.
Save / Cancel
Save applies the edits and stays unavailable until something has changed and is valid. Cancel closes the editor without saving.
Not applicable
Remove profile…
Shown when you have more than one profile. Asks you to confirm with Keep profile or Remove followed by the profile name. Removing deletes the profile's sign-ins, history, bookmarks, downloads list and site permissions from this computer. This cannot be undone. Removing the profile you are in also closes this window.
Not applicable
New profile
Setting
What it does
Default
New profile
Opens a short form in place.
Closed
Name
The new profile's name, up to 40 characters. The empty field shows Work, school or home as a hint.
Empty
Color
The avatar color, from the same eight swatches.
A swatch that no other profile uses, while one is free
Create profile / Cancel
Create profile makes the profile and stays unavailable until you enter a name.
Not applicable
Bring in another account
Setting
What it does
Default
Import as new profile
Lists profiles that Acira finds in other browsers on this computer. Nothing is copied until you choose one. The button then copies that profile's bookmarks and history into a new Acira profile, and shows Importing…, then Open when it is done, or Try again if it failed. The group is hidden when no other profiles are found, and in private windows.
Where your tabs live: Along the top, In a sidebar or Sidebar + address, which puts tabs and the address bar in the sidebar. The change applies right away. The same row is at the top of the Tabs section and in the Acira menu. See Sidebar.
Along the top
Sidebar side
Puts the sidebar on the Left or the Right of the window. Appears when tabs are in a sidebar. The same row is in Settings › Tabs › Sidebar.
Left
Window view
Sets the default view for every window. Full keeps everything visible. Compact uses a smaller toolbar with everything still there. Focus shows what you need to read and navigate. Seamless shows the page and reveals the toolbar and sidebar when you point at an edge. While Focus is chosen, the row adds that Ctrl+Shift+F toggles it. While Seamless is chosen, it adds that Ctrl+Shift+L toggles it. With Sidebar + address only Full and Seamless are offered. On a Mac these are Cmd+Shift+F and Cmd+Shift+L, or the keys you set in Shortcuts.
Full
Show the closed sidebar at the left edge (or right edge)
Shows a closed sidebar when you rest the pointer at the edge it stands at. The name follows Sidebar side. Each window view has its own switch, and the row shows the switch for the current view. Appears when tabs are in a sidebar and the view is not Seamless. It does not appear with Sidebar + address.
Off in Full. On in Compact and Focus.
Show the toolbar at the top edge
In Seamless, lets the toolbar appear when you point at the top edge. Appears when the view is Seamless. It does not appear with Sidebar + address.
On
Show the sidebar at the left edge (or right edge)
In Seamless, lets the sidebar appear when you point at the edge it stands at. Appears when the view is Seamless and tabs are in a sidebar. It does not appear with Sidebar + address.
On
Theme
Setting
What it does
Default
Appearance
Light, dark, or follow your system: Light, Dark or Auto. Can be set for one profile.
Dark
Applies to
Chooses whether the Appearance choice is for All profiles or This profile. Appears when you have two or more regular profiles, and not in a private window.
All profiles
Match my system theme
Linux only. Follows your desktop's light or dark setting and accent color. Turning it on sets Appearance to Auto. Choosing Light or Dark stops the matching.
Off
Finish
Tints the toolbar, sidebar and Acira pages. Websites keep their own colors. Twelve swatches: Porcelain, Burgundy, Navy, Ocean, Sky, Emerald Green, Alpine Green, Deep Purple, Sand, Stone, Silver and Graphite. The name of the chosen finish shows beside them, or Custom when the stored colors match none of them.
Porcelain
Site color
Off, Soft or Rich. The sidebar and the bands around the page glow softly in the color of the open site, and the selected tab and the Favorite you are on take the color of their icon. Private windows keep Acira's own colors. The same for all profiles. See Appearance.
Soft
Colors
This group is collapsed until you open it. It colors the window frame, tabs, toolbar and accent.
Setting
What it does
Default
Window opacity
A slider from 40% to 100%. Higher is more solid. 100% is fully solid and turns on Reduce transparency.
64%
Pages
A color picker with a hex field, plus a Reset button. Sets the color of Acira pages. The row reads Follows the selected finish until you set a color.
Follows the selected finish
Sidebar and frame
A color picker with a hex field, plus Reset, for the sidebar and window frame.
Follows the selected finish
Toolbar
A color picker with a hex field, plus Reset, for the toolbar.
Follows the selected finish
Tabs
A color picker with a hex field, plus Reset, for the tab strip.
Follows the selected finish
New tab background
The picture on the new tab page. The rest of the new tab page is in New tab. A live preview of the new tab sits at the top of the group, and a link at the bottom goes to New tab layout and shortcuts.
Setting
What it does
Default
Show artwork
Shows a picture on the new tab page.
On
Artwork style
Shows the painting as a framed image (Framed) or as the page background (Full background).
Framed
Collection
Where pictures come from, as five cards: Paintings (built in, works offline), and Landscapes, Nature, Architecture and Space (Wikimedia Commons). Online collections are fetched when you open a new tab and kept on this computer. Choosing a collection turns Show artwork on.
Paintings
Artwork
Chooses the picture. The list holds the built-in paintings and illustrations, plus your own images. The row shows the artist and date.
Wheat Field with Cypresses
Browse cover images
A collapsed picker with its own Collection list and a grid of cover thumbnails to choose from.
Collapsed
About this painting
Shows the title, artist, date, provider and rights of the chosen painting, with a View museum record button that opens the museum page in a tab. Appears when the chosen artwork has an artist.
Collapsed
Change artwork
How often the picture changes: Only when I press Change, Every new tab, Every hour or Every day.
Only when I press Change
Show the caption
Shows the painting's title, artist and year under it.
On
Personal images
The Choose an image… button copies an image from your computer into the profile. Your original file stays where it is. Each image in the list has a Remove button. You can add up to five images. In a private window, personal images stay in that window.
No personal images
Interface
Setting
What it does
Default
Interface size
The size of Acira's tabs, toolbar, sidebar and menus: 80%, 90%, 100%, 110%, 125% or 150%. Websites keep their own size (see Page zoom).
100%
Animation speed
Premium is relaxed, so you see every step. Fast is short and quick. None is instant with no motion and is the same switch as Reduce motion in Accessibility. Fast and None also shorten the wait before a hidden toolbar or sidebar shows when you point at the window edge. When your system asks to reduce motion, the row reads None while Windows asks to reduce motion.
Premium
Toolbar
Setting
What it does
Default
Show Home button
Shows the Home button in the toolbar.
On
Show tab viewer
Shows the tab viewer button in the toolbar.
On
Bookmarks bar
When the bookmarks bar shows: On new tabs, Always or Never.
Never
Customize toolbar
The Customize… button opens the toolbar customizer to show, hide and reorder toolbar buttons. See the table below.
Not applicable
Reset toolbar controls
The Reset button restores the default toolbar buttons. The row appears when something differs from the default: the Home button or tab viewer is hidden, or the bookmarks bar is not set to Never.
Not applicable
The toolbar customizer opened by Customize… keeps its choices for each profile. The Acira menu always stays in the toolbar, so Settings is one click away. Drag a row to reorder it, or press Alt+Up or Alt+Down. Each row also has Move left and Move right buttons, and the footer has a Reset button.
Toolbar button
What it does
Default
Extensions
Shows or hides the Extensions button in the toolbar.
Shown
Downloads
Shows or hides the Downloads button.
Hidden
History
Shows or hides the History button.
Hidden
All bookmarks
Shows or hides the All bookmarks button.
Hidden
Split view
Shows or hides the Split view button.
Hidden
Appearance
Shows or hides the Appearance button.
Hidden
Tab sets
Shows or hides the Tab sets button.
Hidden
AI-free mode
Shows or hides the AI-free mode button.
Hidden
VPN
Shows or hides the VPN button.
Hidden
Ads and trackers
Shows or hides the Ads and trackers button.
Hidden
Focus mode
Shows or hides the Focus mode button.
Shown
Profiles
Shows or hides the Profiles button.
Shown
Also in the toolbar: Bookmarks bar, Home button, Tab viewer
The same three switches as the Toolbar group, listed here as checkboxes.
Home button and Tab viewer on, Bookmarks bar off
Menu
This group is collapsed until you open it. Learn more in Toolbar and menu.
Setting
What it does
Default
Customize menu
Choose which rows the Acira menu shows, in what order, and which sit under More tools. It has lists for Main menu, More tools and Hidden, with a preview of each. Each row has a checkbox that moves it to Hidden, Move up and Move down buttons (or Alt+Up and Alt+Down), and an arrow that moves it between the main menu and More tools. A Reset button restores the standard layout and is unavailable while the layout is the standard one. More tools and Settings always stay at the foot of the main menu. Kept for each profile.
The standard menu layout
Page zoom
This group is collapsed until you open it. It makes one website larger or smaller. Interface size is separate. Learn more in Reader mode, find, zoom and print.
Setting
What it does
Default
Website
Chooses which open website tab of this profile to zoom. With no website open it reads Open a website to change page zoom.
Not fixed. Picks one of your open website tabs.
Page zoom
Buttons to decrease and increase the zoom, a readout, and Reset. The range is 25% to 500%. The row shows the site address. Appears when a website is open.
100%
Reset appearance
This row sits at the bottom of the page, outside any group.
Setting
What it does
Default
Reset appearance
The Reset button restores the default finish (Porcelain), Site color Soft, Interface size 100%, Reduce motion off, Animation speed Premium, Reduce transparency off, and the Window opacity and colors. It leaves Light, Dark or Auto as it is. The row appears when something differs from those defaults.
Along the top, In a sidebar or Sidebar + address. The same row is in Appearance, with a link to Window view below it.
Along the top
Show titles in compact tabs
Show page titles in narrow tabs.
On
All open tabs view
Comfortable shows each tab with its title and address. Compact shows one line per tab, to see more at once. This is the tab viewer that Alt+T opens.
Comfortable
Tab preview on hover
What pointing at a tab shows: Name and picture (the tab's name and site, and a picture of the page from when you last left it, kept in memory and never saved), Name only, or Off (plain tooltip).
Name and picture
Link preview
Opens a link in a floating preview without leaving the page: the Preview button beside search results, Alt+click or Shift+click, press and hold, or Alt+Enter on a focused link. Esc closes it. See Link previews.
On
Open new tabs in front
A link that opens in a new tab with Ctrl+click or a middle click switches to the new tab, instead of opening behind this one.
Off
Ask before closing the browser
Asks you to confirm before Acira closes with several tabs open. Pages with unsaved changes are always checked.
On
When Acira starts
Continue where you left off opens your windows and tabs as you left them. Open a New Tab opens one window on a New Tab. Pinned tabs stay in it, and the tabs you had are kept in Rewind so you can bring them back (with Rewind off they are not kept). It applies every time Acira starts, including after Restart to update.
Continue where you left off
Switching tabs
Setting
What it does
Default
Ctrl+Tab switches to
What Ctrl+Tab does. Next tab goes to the next tab (Ctrl+Shift+Tab to the previous one), skipping collapsed groups. Recently used tab returns to the tab you used last, and holding Ctrl shows your recent tabs. Show tab viewer shows all your tabs, like Alt+T. Ctrl+PageUp and Ctrl+PageDown follow the tab order in the last two modes.
Next tab
Sidebar
Setting
What it does
Default
Show sidebar
Shows or hides the sidebar in this window. The toolbar button and Ctrl+Shift+E do the same from anywhere.
On
Sidebar size
Narrow (168 px), Standard (240 px) or Wide (312 px). Dragging the sidebar edge settles on the nearest size, and right-clicking the edge lists the three.
Standard
Sidebar side
Left or Right. It shows here even with tabs along the top.
Left
Show the closed sidebar at the left edge or Show the sidebar at the left edge (the names say right edge with the sidebar on the right)
The same switches as in Appearance › Layout, for the window view in use. Not shown with Sidebar + address.
See Layout
Ctrl+S toggles the sidebar
With vertical tabs, Ctrl+S shows or hides the sidebar. Off: Ctrl+S saves the page.
On
Favorites
The switch Show Favorites in the sidebar shows the sites kept in the sidebar. Favorites position puts them at the Top or the Bottom, and is unavailable while they are hidden. The row says how many are in this profile. Right-click one to edit or remove it. Ctrl+Shift+D adds the current page.
On, at the top
Favorites' tabs in the tab list
On: a favorite's tab also shows in the tab list. Off: it lives only in its tile. With tabs along the top, every tab always shows. See Sidebar.
On
New tabs at the top
With tabs in the sidebar, new tabs appear at the top of the list, right under New tab. Off: they are added at the bottom.
On
Tab groups
Where groups sit in the tab list with tabs in the sidebar: With your tabs, In their own area, above or In their own area, below.
With your tabs
Reset sidebar layout
The Reset button shows the sidebar and its apps, puts it on the left at the Standard size, puts Favorites back at the top, turns Favorites' tabs in the tab list and New tabs at the top on, sets Tab groups to With your tabs, and moves tabs back to the top strip. Your Favorites are kept. Unavailable while the layout is the default.
Not applicable
In a private window, a note says Favorites added there are forgotten when the window closes.
Sidebar sections
This group is collapsed until you open it. Each section has a show switch. All except Favorites and Pinned tabs also have Move up and Move down buttons.
Setting
What it does
Default
Favorites
Shows or hides the Favorites section. It stays in one place, the top or the bottom.
Shown
Pinned tabs
Shows or hides pinned tabs. They stay with the tabs.
Shown
Tabs
Shows or hides the Tabs section, and moves it in the order.
Shown, at the top of the movable list
Bookmarks
Shows or hides the Bookmarks section, and moves it.
Shown, second
Downloads
Shows or hides the Downloads section, and moves it.
Hidden, third
History
Shows or hides the History section, and moves it.
Hidden, fourth
Reading list
Shows or hides the Reading list section, and moves it.
Hidden, fifth
Customize in the sidebar
The Customize… button opens the sidebar, and shows it if it is hidden, so you can drag sections into order right where they are.
Keeps the tabs you close and the windows you had open, for as long as you choose. Saves addresses and titles, never page contents, forms or cookies. Private and Tor windows are never saved.
On
Keep closed tabs and windows
How long to keep them: 1 day, 3 days or 7 days, at most 1,000 tabs and 500 windows per profile. Clearing browsing history also removes matching items.
7 days
Delete Rewind history
The Delete… button asks you to confirm (Cancel or Delete followed by the count) and then removes every closed tab and saved window of this profile. The row shows how many tabs and windows are saved, and the button is unavailable when there are none.
Not applicable
Memory saver
Setting
What it does
Default
Put unused tabs to sleep
Frees memory and processor time for tabs you are not using. A sleeping tab stays in your list and reloads where you left off when you open it.
On
Sleep after
How long a tab can sit in the background before it sleeps: 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours or 4 hours. Unavailable while the switch above is off.
15 minutes
Never put these sites to sleep
A list of sites whose tabs always stay awake. Subdomains are included. Type a site such as mail.example.com in Add a site and press Add. Each site has a Remove button. Calls, chat and music sites (Meet, Zoom, Teams, Discord, Spotify and similar) always stay awake. Tabs that play sound, use the camera, microphone or screen, are downloading, pinned, shown in a split, allowed to send notifications, or hold unsaved form input never sleep. Private windows keep every tab awake.
No sites added
These switches control the automatic sleep. You can also put tabs to sleep by hand: Put to sleep in a tab's menu, Put group to sleep in a group's menu and Put workspace to sleep in a workspace's menu. Those work even with the switch off, and tabs that are protected as described above stay awake. See Tab sleep.
New tab
What shows on a new tab. The picture itself is in Appearance. Learn more in New tab page.
A live miniature of the new tab at the top of the section changes as you flip each switch. A line under it reads Choose what appears for followed by the profile name, and turning every section off gives a blank new tab. These choices are kept for each profile.
Setting
What it does
Default
Show workspace header
Shows the workspace header on the new tab page.
On
Show profile name
Shows the profile name on the new tab page.
Off
Show Acira mark
Shows a still Acira symbol on the new tab page.
Off
Show search
Shows a centered search field on the new tab page.
On
Show shortcuts
Shows your site shortcuts on the new tab page.
Off
Show bookmarks
Shows bookmarks on the new tab page.
On
Show recent pages
Shows recent history on the new tab page.
On
Include frequently visited pages
Uses this profile's browsing history for the shortcuts. Unavailable in a private window.
Off
Reset new-tab layout
The Reset button restores the default sections and artwork. The row appears when something differs from the default.
Not applicable
The group also has a link to New tab background in Appearance.
Shortcuts
Choose pages for the new tab, the sidebar, or both. You can have up to 12 shortcuts.
Setting
What it does
Default
Shortcut list
Each shortcut shows its name and address, with checkboxes New tab and Sidebar for where it appears, Move up and Move down buttons, Edit, and a remove button.
No shortcuts
Shortcut name
The name, up to 80 characters.
Empty
Website address
A full http:// or https:// address, up to 4,096 characters.
Empty
Add shortcut / Save shortcut / Cancel edit
Add shortcut adds the new shortcut to the list and becomes Save shortcut while you edit one. Cancel edit appears while editing. A new shortcut is shown on the new tab and not in the sidebar. At 12 shortcuts, it asks you to remove one before adding another.
Not applicable
Search
Where address-bar searches go. Learn more in Search engines. A link in this section goes to AI-free mode in Privacy (see AI-free mode).
Setting
What it does
Default
Address-bar search engine
Chooses Google, DuckDuckGo or Bing. Appears while you use the built-in engine list. If you add or remove engines, the Default search engine row below takes its place. Can be set for one profile.
Google
Applies to
All profiles or This profile, for the search engine. Appears when you have two or more regular profiles, and not in a private window.
All profiles
Local address suggestions
Uses tabs, bookmarks and history from this profile as suggestions. The text stays on your computer until you search.
On
Search engines
Setting
What it does
Default
Default search engine
Used for anything typed in the address bar that is not a web address. Appears once the engine list has been changed or a custom engine is the default.
Google
Applies to
All profiles or This profile, for the default engine. Appears with the row above.
All profiles
Engine list
Columns Name, Shortcut and Address, with a Remove button on each engine (unavailable when a single engine is left). It shows the engine in use. More engines… with a count shows the rest, and Show only the one in use collapses the list.
20 built-in engines, each with a shortcut
Engine name, Shortcut keyword, Search address with %s, Add
Adds your own engine. The keyword is typed as !keyword before a search to use that engine once, for example !d private browsers. The address must start with https and contain %s where the search text goes. Add stays unavailable until you enter a name and an address.
Empty form
Restore default engines
Goes back to the built-in engine list. Unavailable while you already use it.
Warns you before you open a page on a public phishing or malware list. The lists are downloaded daily and checked on this device. If you turn this off, dangerous pages open without any warning. Greyed out in a private window.
On
Protection
Setting
What it does
Default
Block ads and trackers
Built-in protection for this profile. You can make an exception from a website's address field.
On
Clear browsing data on exit
Applies to the profile you are in. In a private window it says that private windows use separate temporary storage, and to open a regular profile to change cleanup.
Setting
What it does
Default
Clear selected data on exit
Removes the data selected below when you finish browsing. Bookmarks and downloads are kept. If cleanup is interrupted, it finishes the next time Acira starts. While a cleanup recovery is waiting, the controls are locked and a status message explains it.
Off
What to clear: Data to clear
A collapsed list with four switches: Cookies and sign-ins (can sign you out of websites), Site storage and cached files, Browsing history (including older back, forward and recently closed entries) and Site permissions (websites may need to ask again). It opens by itself while cleanup is on and reads Nothing chosen until you pick one.
Nothing chosen
Sites to keep
Optional. One site per line, such as https://mail.example.com, without paths or sign-in details. Their data survives cleanup. Cookies are kept across the site's registrable domain and its subdomains. Storage and history use the exact origin.
Empty
How cleanup and keep-sites work
A collapsed explanation of what is cleared and what remains.
Collapsed
Content filters
Setting
What it does
Default
AI-free mode
Hides AI answers and AI buttons on websites. Search results stay, and a quiet line lets you show an answer again. It hides what Acira recognizes. It cannot detect all AI-written content, and website changes may affect coverage. See AI-free mode.
Off
What it hides
A list that says, for each search engine, which AI surfaces the filter covers. Not a control.
Not applicable
Hide cookie banners
Hides cookie and consent banners on most sites. It never accepts or rejects for you. You can turn it off for one site from that site's protection panel.
On
Hide selected sources
Hides links to the websites you list on supported search pages. It does not block going to those sites. Type a site such as example.com in Website to hide and press Add source. Each source has a remove button. Reads No sources selected. when empty.
No sources
Reset profile filters
The Reset button clears every content filter choice. Reload pages to apply it to previously blocked images or frames.
Not applicable
Protection lists
Bundled lists work offline and are kept on this computer. You can update them from EasyList and uBlock Origin. In a private window this group says to manage list updates from an ordinary profile.
Setting
What it does
Default
Update lists now
The button downloads the latest lists. The row shows the time of the last update, or that the bundled lists are in use.
Bundled lists
Use previous lists
The Restore button goes back to the previous lists. A failed update keeps the existing list active. Unavailable until a previous set exists.
Not applicable
List sources
A collapsed list of where each list comes from and its size.
Collapsed
Update lists automatically
Updates the lists every 4 days, from easylist.to and raw.githubusercontent.com. The lists are checked before use and the previous set is kept. This row sits in a collapsed group also called Protection lists.
On
Network privacy
These settings apply to all normal and private windows after you restart Acira.
Setting
What it does
Default
Send Global Privacy Control
Sends websites an opt-out signal for selling or sharing personal data. A website decides how it responds. Press Save network preferences to keep the change.
Off
Save network preferences
The Save button writes Global Privacy Control and Secure DNS together. The row says what each is right now, and a message tells you to restart Acira to apply.
Not applicable
A link in this group goes to Proxy and secure DNS in Connection.
Private browsing
Setting
What it does
Default
Private window
The Open window button opens a private window. Browsing is not saved or restored. Downloaded files remain on your computer. A link goes to Rewind in Tabs. See Private tabs and windows.
Not applicable
Cookies
Setting
What it does
Default
Third-party cookies
Block or Allow. With Block, the engine blocks third-party cookies. Embedded sign-in or payment frames may need Allow. Applies after restart, and a note says so while the running mode differs. Greyed out in a private window.
Block
Secure connections
Setting
What it does
Default
Always use HTTPS
Upgrades sites to HTTPS. If one has none, Acira asks before using HTTP for that tab. Reload open pages after changing it. Kept for each profile.
Off
Secured workspaces
Setting
What it does
Default
Lock secured workspaces (marked Beta)
When an open secured workspace locks by itself: After 1 min away, After 5 min away, After 15 min away, After 30 min away or Only when Windows locks (Only when macOS locks on a Mac). Leaving the workspace, minimizing the window, locking the computer and quitting Acira always lock it, and there is no setting for never.
After 5 min away
Anonymous usage
This group is collapsed until you open it. Learn more in Usage data.
Setting
What it does
Default
Anonymous usage: On or Off (switch Send anonymous usage counts)
When on, sends at most one message per UTC day with a random installation ID, the app version and channel, your system and architecture, your language and the date, plus coarse counts. It never includes browsing history, page addresses, searches or accounts. Turning it off deletes the ID. A note says when the counting server is not switched on in your version, so nothing can be sent. Greyed out in a private window.
Chosen during setup, where the switch starts on. Off until setup has run.
Ask me now and then how features are working
At most once a week, asks about features you use. Stars, no typing. Appears while usage counts are on.
On
See what's sent
The Show and Hide button shows the exact message, once a day, that would be sent.
Hidden
Clear browsing data
This group is collapsed until you open it. It clears data now, once, and is separate from clear on exit. Bookmarks and downloaded files are never removed here.
Setting
What it does
Default
What to clear: Browsing history
Pages you visited and the suggestions built from them.
On
Download records
The list of downloads. Downloaded files stay on disk.
Off
Cookies
Signs you out of websites. Applies to this whole profile.
Off
Site storage
Local storage, IndexedDB and service workers.
Off
Cached files
Images and files saved to speed up pages.
Off
Time range
Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks or All time. History and download records can be cleared for a shorter time. Cookies, site storage and cached files support the All time range alone, so the row switches to All time and locks when one of them is ticked.
All time
Clear
The Clear data… button asks Clear these now? This cannot be undone. with Cancel and Clear data. Unavailable until you pick at least one kind of data.
Not applicable
Anti-tracking
These switches apply to every window and take effect live. The fingerprint level applies from the next page load.
Setting
What it does
Default
Block hidden trackers
Blocks trackers that hide behind a site's own subdomain (CNAME cloaking).
On
Skip tracking redirects
Links through known tracking redirectors go straight to the destination.
On
Remove tracking parameters
Removes click IDs such as fbclid and gclid from the address when you open a link to another site.
On
Open original pages instead of AMP
Google AMP links and AMP pages open the publisher's own page.
On
Fingerprint protection
Off, Standard or Strict (can break sites). Standard makes your device look slightly different to each site. Strict also reports generic graphics and language details, and some games, maps and web apps may misbehave. Applies to pages you open next.
Standard
Phishing and malware
Setting
What it does
Default
Warn about scam pages
Stops a page from copying a command to your clipboard while telling you to paste it into the Run box (ClickFix), and flags look-alike addresses and look-alike sign-in pages. These are fixed rules on this computer. A note explains the three public lists Acira downloads once a day, with no key or account, and that ad and tracker blocking is not malware protection.
On
Google Safe Browsing (optional)
This group is collapsed until you open it. It is an extra for people who bring their own key. The lists in the rows above need none.
Setting
What it does
Default
Safe Browsing with your own key
A password-style field (Google Safe Browsing API key) and a Turn on button. Once a key is stored, the row shows Remove key instead. The key is stored on this computer. Checks use lists stored on this computer, and a short hash prefix goes to Google when a site might match.
One row per saved choice: the site, the permission, Allowed or Blocked (with (once) for a temporary choice) and a Reset button that makes the site ask again. Choices belong to this profile and to the site and page that asked. Reload the site to stop something already running.
No saved choices. Sites ask each time for the camera, microphone, location, notifications and clipboard.
Reset all
Clears every saved choice. Shown when there are saved choices.
Sites run no scripts unless you allow them in the list below. The list is then headed Scripts are allowed on these sites.
Off
Scripts are blocked on these sites
The sites where scripts are blocked while Block scripts everywhere is off. Subdomains are included. Add and remove sites in the list. A site can also be added from its site panel with Block scripts on this site.
Empty
Rows without a group title
Setting
What it does
Default
Protection is on / Protection is off
Not a control. Reads how many protections are active and says each one has its own switch.
Not applicable
Passkeys and security keys
Lets sites ask your computer for a passkey or security key. When off, sites use your password instead. Reload pages that are already open to use passkeys on them. Greyed out in a private window.
Acira does not provide a VPN. This group controls a VPN app you already have installed.
Setting
What it does
Default
VPN
Lists Mullvad VPN, Proton VPN and IVPN with the state of each app. Buttons appear for what the app supports: Connect, Disconnect, Configure…, Provider website (or Get it when the app is not installed) and Help. Refresh status reads the state again. Changes the VPN for the whole device, including ordinary browsing and other apps. Provider settings such as split tunneling can exclude Acira.
No stored value. Shows each app's current state.
Proxy
Kept for each profile. Greyed out in a private window.
Setting
What it does
Default
How this profile connects
Use my VPN app makes Acira follow your computer's connection, a VPN included. Set up a proxy… sends this profile's traffic through your proxy, and keeps calls (WebRTC) from revealing your own address while it is on. A note says if a known VPN app looks to be running.
Use my VPN app
Proxy type
HTTP or HTTPS or SOCKS5. SOCKS5 proxies that ask for a username and password cannot be used. Appears with Set up a proxy….
HTTP or HTTPS
Address
A host field (Proxy host, hint proxy.example.com) and a port field (Proxy port, hint 8080), without a path or credentials. An HTTP proxy that needs a sign-in asks for it when a page loads, and does not save it. Appears with Set up a proxy….
Empty
Test
The Test proxy button connects to the proxy and not to any website, and reports Works or Problem. Appears with Set up a proxy….
Not applicable
Apply
The Apply… button saves the choice. It stays unavailable until the address and port are valid.
Not applicable
Get a VPN app
Buttons for three VPN providers that publish independent security audits. Each opens the provider's website. Acira has no VPN of its own and no deal with any provider, earns nothing from these links and adds nothing to them.
Not applicable
Controlled by followed by the extension name
Appears when an extension chose how this profile reaches the internet. Your own choice is kept and applies again when the extension lets go. Use my setting takes control back.
Not shown
Secure DNS
These settings apply to all normal and private windows after you restart Acira.
Setting
What it does
Default
Secure DNS
Encrypts the lookups that find sites. System and automatic, Secure DNS off or Strict secure DNS. Strict never falls back to your provider, so it needs one to four HTTPS servers.
System and automatic
HTTPS DNS endpoints
One HTTPS endpoint per line, for example https://dns.example/dns-query. Appears with Strict secure DNS.
Empty
Save network preferences
The Save button writes Secure DNS and Global Privacy Control together. A message tells you to restart Acira to apply.
Not applicable
Tor
Tor in Acira hides your IP address from the sites you visit. It does not hide your browser fingerprint, and it is not the same as Tor Browser.
Setting
What it does
Default
Keep Tor up to date
Checks the Tor Project once a week and installs verified updates. Turn it off to keep the version that came with Acira. The row shows the installed and latest versions.
On
Check for a Tor update
The Check now button checks right away. The row shows the date of the last check, or Not checked yet.
Not applicable
Bridges
This group is collapsed until you open it. If Tor cannot connect where you are, a bridge disguises the connection so Tor can get through. Bridges are slower, so use one when Tor does not connect without it.
Setting
What it does
Default
Use a bridge
Off (Tor connects directly), Built-in bridge (the bridges Tor Browser offers, built into Acira) or A bridge I know (from someone you trust or from bridges.torproject.org).
Off
Bridge type
obfs4, Snowflake or meek. obfs4 makes Tor traffic look like random data. Snowflake goes through volunteers' browsers. meek looks like a visit to a large website and is the slowest. Appears with Built-in bridge.
obfs4
Provide a bridge you know
A text box, one bridge per line, each starting with its type such as obfs4, webtunnel or snowflake, then an address. Up to 32 bridges. Lines with problems are marked. Appears with A bridge I know.
Empty
Request a bridge from the Tor Project
The Request button asks bridges.torproject.org through a disguised connection. You solve a short puzzle with Type the characters you see and Submit, or press Show another. The bridges it gives are saved here. Appears with A bridge I know.
Not applicable
Apply
The Save button keeps the bridge choice. A Tor tab that is open reconnects with it.
Disables certain web features that can be used to attack your security. Standard keeps all browser and website features on. Safer turns off JavaScript on non-HTTPS sites, runs JavaScript without its JIT compiler, turns off WebAssembly and WebGL, and starts audio and video after you click. Safest turns JavaScript off on all sites, and turns off web fonts, audio, video and WebGL. Open Tor tabs keep the previous level until they reopen, and Acira offers Reopen Tor tabs or Later.
Standard
Onion sites
Setting
What it does
Default
Prefer .onion versions
When a site you open in a Tor tab names its onion address, opens that instead. The opening request still goes to the regular address.
Off
Passwords
Saved on this device, encrypted, and never synced or sent anywhere. Learn more in Passwords and passkeys. In a private window, the section says passwords are not available there.
Setting
What it does
Default
Offer to save passwords
Lets Acira offer to save a password after you sign in to a website.
On
Search passwords
Filters the list of saved passwords as you type. Reads No passwords match your words when nothing fits.
Empty
Add password
Opens a form with Website (starts with https://), Username, Password, with a Suggest button to make one, and Note. Save password stays unavailable until the website and password are filled in. Cancel closes the form.
Not applicable
Each saved password, with Open / Close
Shows the site and username, and labels Weak, Reused or Fair where they apply. A summary reads, for example, All 12 look strong or how many are weak or reused, checked on this computer. Open shows the editor: Show / Hide, Copy (the clipboard clears in 30 seconds), Copy username, Edit, Save, Close, and Delete… that turns into Delete password to confirm. Showing, copying, editing and exporting ask Windows or macOS to verify it is you before they act.
No saved passwords
Import from a CSV file
The Import… button reads a file exported from Chrome, Edge or Brave and shows a preview (new, updated, already saved, skipped). You then confirm with Import, or press Cancel. The file still holds the passwords in plain text, so Acira offers Delete the file.
Not applicable
Export to a CSV file
The Export… button writes every password to a file in plain text, after Windows or macOS verifies it is you. Unavailable when there are no passwords.
Not applicable
Delete all passwords
The Delete all… button turns into Delete all to confirm, and removes every saved password from this profile. Unavailable when there are none.
Not applicable
Never saved list
Sites where you chose never to save a password. Acira will not offer to save one there. Each has a Remove button. The group appears when the list is not empty.
Empty
Downloads
Where files are saved and how they open. Learn more in Downloads.
Setting
What it does
Default
Download location
Shows the folder. Files are saved there without asking, and existing files are never overwritten. Change picks another folder. Use default appears once you chose one. If the chosen folder is missing, the default folder is used.
Your Downloads folder
Ask where to save each file
Shows the Save dialog for every download.
Off
Downloads never open on their own. Programs and scripts ask for confirmation before Open.
Extensions
Add tools from the Chrome Web Store. They are kept separately for each profile. Learn more in Extensions and Building and testing extensions. Extensions are off in private tabs and windows unless you allow them.
Setting
What it does
Default
Extensions for followed by the profile name, with Refresh extensions
Shows which profile you are managing. The refresh button reads the list again.
The profile you are in
Each extension
Shows the name, version and whether it is on, off or unavailable, the description, where it came from, and a result note (Tested: works, Tested: limited or Tested: does not work) when Acira has one. A remove button (Remove and the name) deletes it.
No extensions
Turn off / Turn on
Turns that extension off or on.
Not applicable
Pin / Unpin
Pins the extension's button to the toolbar, or unpins it. Appears for extensions that have a toolbar button, and is unavailable while the extension is off.
Not applicable
Allow in private tabs: On or Off
Lets that extension run in private tabs and windows you open afterwards. Turning it on asks first, because the extension can see what you do there. What it keeps there goes when private browsing ends.
Off
Check for update / Reload
Checks for an update to an extension from the Chrome Web Store. Other extensions show Reload instead. Unavailable while the extension is off.
Not applicable
Allow user scripts: On or Off
Lets the extension run scripts you add on websites. Turn it on for a userscript manager you trust. Appears for extensions that ask for it.
Off
Use as New Tab page: On or Off
Shows the extension's page on new tabs instead of Acira's. Private and Tor windows keep Acira's page. Appears for extensions that replace the new tab page.
Off
What it can access
A collapsed list of the permissions the extension asks for, or It asks for no special access. A note adds that it cannot open files on this computer.
Collapsed
Get extensions
Opens the Chrome Web Store in a new tab.
Not applicable
Add from a link
A field (Chrome Web Store link) and an Add button for adding an extension from its store address.
Empty
Developer: Load from folder…
A collapsed section. The button loads an extension you are building from a folder on this PC.
Collapsed
Accessibility
Motion and transparency. Learn more in Languages and accessibility. A link in this section goes to Animation speed in Appearance.
Setting
What it does
Default
Reduce motion
Simplifies transitions and uses a quiet loading indicator. The same switch as None in Animation speed.
Off
Reduce transparency
Uses readable, opaque surfaces. If your system currently requires opaque surfaces, the row says so, and your own choice is saved separately. Turning it on sets Window opacity to 100%.
Off
Import & export
Bring data in from another browser, or keep a copy. Learn more in Bring your data. In a private window, a note says import and export are not available and the controls are greyed out.
From another browser
Setting
What it does
Default
Find browser profiles
Looks for profiles in Chrome, Edge, Brave, Helium, Arc, Firefox and Zen on this computer. Each profile shows the kinds of data it has, with a Choose profile button. If none are found, you can use a bookmarks file below.
Not applicable
Choose what to import
Checkboxes for Favorites, Spaces as workspaces, Bookmarks, Browsing history, Browser preferences and Extension inventory. A kind the chosen profile does not have is greyed out. A warning shows if history could not be read.
Bookmarks and Browsing history ticked
Import selected data
Imports the ticked kinds. Cancel stops a search or import in progress. Change profile goes back to the list, and Retry preview reads the profile again.
Not applicable
Import more data / Undo import
Shown after an import. A result row for each kind says Imported, Inventory saved, Could not import or unavailable. For extensions, you can choose any of the found extensions and press Add extension to add them from the Chrome Web Store. Undo import removes the data from that import.
Not applicable
Cookies and sign-ins are never read from another browser. Passwords come from a file you export yourself.
Sign back in to your sites
Setting
What it does
Default
Site list
A list worked out on this computer from imported history, bookmarks and saved-password hosts. Each site has a check mark you can tick to mark it as signed in, and shows visits, Bookmarked and Autofill ready where they apply. Sign in opens the site (then Open again). Not now skips it, and Add back returns a skipped one.
Appears after an import
Dismiss / Show the list
Hides or shows the list.
Shown until you dismiss it, or until all sites are done
Bring your passwords
Setting
What it does
Default
Export from
A selector for the browser you export from: Chrome, Edge, Brave or Firefox. A short list of steps shows how to export a file.
The browser you imported from when it is Edge, Brave, Firefox or Zen (Zen picks Firefox), otherwise Chrome
Choose the file… / Choose another file
Picks the exported file, then shows how many passwords were found and how many are new.
Not applicable
Import button (for example Import 5 passwords)
Imports the new passwords. Unavailable when none are new.
Not applicable
Move file to Recycle Bin
Moves the exported file, which holds every password in plain text, to the Recycle Bin. Empty the Recycle Bin to remove it for good.
Not applicable
Import and export files
Setting
What it does
Default
Import bookmarks: Import bookmarks HTML…
Imports an HTML bookmarks file exported by another browser.
Not applicable
Export bookmarks: Export bookmarks HTML…
Exports your bookmarks as HTML, which works with other browsers.
Not applicable
Export profile data: Export profile JSON…
Exports a JSON file with this profile's bookmarks, supported settings and, if you choose, history.
Not applicable
Include this profile's history in JSON export
A checkbox that adds history to the JSON export.
Off
Import batches
Setting
What it does
Default
Undo this import
Lists each earlier import with its browser, name and time. Undo removes data from that import. Bookmarks you added yourself are kept. Appears when there are earlier imports.
The language of menus, settings and pages. Websites keep their own. Choose Same as Windows to follow the system display language, or one of 13: English, Español, Français, Deutsch, Português (Brasil), Italiano, 日本語, 简体中文, العربية, Türkçe, Русский, 한국어 or हिन्दी. Some windows update the next time they open.
Same as Windows
Language sent to websites
The language Acira tells websites you prefer. Websites show their pages in it when they can, and a site can still choose another one from your account or country. The same choices as above. A note shows Websites see: followed by the languages sent, and may ask you to restart Acira. Unavailable in a private window or a Tor window. Kept for each profile.
Same as Windows
Spell checking
Setting
What it does
Default
Check spelling
Underlines misspelled words in text fields. Words are checked on this computer. Kept for each profile; in a private window the choice is forgotten when it closes.
Not fixed. Starts from what the browser engine reports for the profile.
Languages
The spell check languages, shown as removable chips with an Add language list. Words are accepted if they are correct in any selected language. At least one stays while spell checking is on. Appears on Windows, not on a Mac. Add words from the right-click menu.
Not fixed. Starts from the browser engine's choice.
Shortcuts
Click a shortcut and press the new keys. Backspace clears it, Esc cancels. Learn more in Keyboard shortcuts, which lists every default.
Setting
What it does
Default
Search shortcuts
A search field (hint Search commands or keys) that narrows the list by command name or keys, with a Clear search button.
Empty
Changed
A filter chip with a count. It appears once at least one shortcut differs from its default, and shows those. Reads No changed shortcuts. when none match.
Not shown
Reset all
Restores every shortcut to its default. Unavailable while nothing is changed.
Not applicable
Export
Saves your shortcuts to a file named acira-shortcuts.json.
Not applicable
Each command's keys
Commands are grouped by category. Click the keys, then press the new ones. If another command already uses them, Acira says Already used by that command and offers Replace or Cancel. A command with no keys reads Not set. A changed command shows Default: and its original keys, and a reset button restores them. A + and a number marks extra keys for the same command.
Copy, paste, select all, undo, Esc and keys with the Windows key stay with the system. Letters need Ctrl or Alt so typing keeps working. On a Mac, use Cmd, Ctrl or Option, and the keys show as symbols.
Web apps
Sites you use like apps, and how to install more. Learn more in Web apps.
Install
Setting
What it does
Default
Open website tabs, each with Install
Lists the websites open in this profile. Install turns one into an app and then reads Installed. The button is unavailable, with the reason shown, for private and Tor tabs, files on this computer and Acira pages. A site without an app manifest installs as a shortcut that opens it in its own window. With no website open, the group says to open a website, then come back.
None installed
Installed apps
Setting
What it does
Default
Each installed app, with Open and Uninstall
Shows the name, the site, whether it is an App or a Shortcut, and where it appears: in Start and on the desktop on Windows, in the Acira Apps folder in Applications on a Mac. Open opens its start page in the profile it was installed from. Uninstall removes it. Reads No apps installed in this profile. when empty.
Shows the Acira logo, its name and a short description. Not a control.
Not applicable
Default browser
Open links from other apps in Acira. The Make default button asks the system to make Acira the default browser. On Windows, you finish by choosing Acira in the Windows prompt. When Acira is already the default, the row shows Default. The row is hidden where Acira cannot read the default-browser state.
Not applicable
Run setup again
The button goes through setup again.
Not applicable
Updates
Setting
What it does
Default
Acira followed by the release and the Chromium version, for example Acira Beta 13 (Chromium 152)
Shows the release and the update state, such as Acira is up to date. A button changes with the state: Check for updates, Download or Restart to update. Unavailable where updates are not supported.
Not applicable
Download updates automatically
Checks at launch and every 2 hours. Installs when you restart.
On
Update channel
Stable gets full releases. Beta also gets pre-releases, earlier and less tested.
Stable. A pre-release build starts on Beta until you choose Stable.
Updates come from Acira's public update feed. Each update is checked against a SHA-512 value published with it before it installs.
Streaming services that need DRM
This group is collapsed until you open it.
Setting
What it does
Default
Streaming services that need DRM
Not a control. It explains that protected streaming needs a supported browser build and service, that supported Mac builds prepare Widevine automatically when online, and that availability and video quality vary by service and device. See What isn't there yet.
Not applicable
Extras
This group is collapsed until you open it.
Setting
What it does
Default
Offline game
When there is no internet, the error page offers a small dot-matrix game. It stays still until you press Space.
