Opening Links in a New Window : Whats the Deal? Actually it’s a big one for usability aspect. These are the top 5 reasons I found in an article why we should beware of opening links in a new window:
1. Unless you warn them, Web users are likely to expect the new page to load in the current window. Unexpected surprises can be fun, but not when you're browsing the Web.
2. The act of opening a new browser window resets the back button in that window. The back button is the second most used navigation function (after hyperlinks, source: useit.com), so resetting it is a big no-no.
3. To open a new browser window can disorient very novice Web users and the visually impaired. They might not realize that a new window has opened and might struggle to switch between windows.
4. Opening a new browser window disrespects the desires of your users. If they want a new window, they'll ask for one. Don't force a new window upon users unless there's a very good reason to do so.
5. New browser windows can make an already cluttered taskbar even more difficult to use. We've all spent ages hunting through the taskbar in search of the window we want. Don't make this process even harder by increasing the number of windows the user has open.