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How to keep the download manager open in new versions of TB (38.4 and 38.5)?

  • 6 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by maomary

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I've been using TB since the Netscape Mail days in 2000 and never had this problem until TB 38.4 release. After I have downloaded the last two new versions (38.4.0 and 38.5.1) I tried to keep the settings of the Config Editor to keep the download manager open, but it won't do that. The problem persists even when I have chosen "false" for the "browser.download.manager.closeWhenDone" preference and "true" for the "browser.download.manager.showWhenStarting" preference.

I've been using TB since the Netscape Mail days in 2000 and never had this problem until TB 38.4 release. After I have downloaded the last two new versions (38.4.0 and 38.5.1) I tried to keep the settings of the Config Editor to keep the download manager open, but it won't do that. The problem persists even when I have chosen "false" for the "browser.download.manager.closeWhenDone" preference and "true" for the "browser.download.manager.showWhenStarting" preference.

Chosen solution

Starting in Thunderbird 38, the Downloads Manager has been replaced by the Saved Files tab (see bug 1087233), which means there is no more Downloads dialog popping up that can be kept or closed by changing the preferences you mentioned, and they may likely no longer be functioning. Therefore I’m surprised to see your question, although the change does not seem to be mentioned in the Release notes.

Could you tell how you managed to see a Downloads Manager (or Saved Files) window? Or were you referring to the Saved Files tab that closes automatically?

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All Replies (6)

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Close Thunderbird and open the profile manager. http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_manager

Create your new profile, naming it something other than "default", and setup your accounts and check if its working or not.

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I already have a profile folder not named "default". I do not know what you meant by the remainder of your message, namely "setup your accounts and check if its working or not." because my accounts are already set up.

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I am asking you to create a fresh profile using profile manager and check how its going

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Chosen Solution

Starting in Thunderbird 38, the Downloads Manager has been replaced by the Saved Files tab (see bug 1087233), which means there is no more Downloads dialog popping up that can be kept or closed by changing the preferences you mentioned, and they may likely no longer be functioning. Therefore I’m surprised to see your question, although the change does not seem to be mentioned in the Release notes.

Could you tell how you managed to see a Downloads Manager (or Saved Files) window? Or were you referring to the Saved Files tab that closes automatically?

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Why would creating a new profile allow the download manager window to appear? Also, I saw warnings that creating a new profile could lead to data loss so I am not really willing to risk this. I think this issue is a legitimate bug in TB 38.5.1 that I never encountered since the year 2000. The Config Editor command is supposed to do what it says but it doesn't!

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Tonnes said

Starting in Thunderbird 38, the Downloads Manager has been replaced by the Saved Files tab (see bug 1087233), which means there is no more Downloads dialog popping up that can be kept or closed by changing the preferences you mentioned, and they may likely no longer be functioning. Therefore I’m surprised to see your question, although the change does not seem to be mentioned in the Release notes. Could you tell how you managed to see a Downloads Manager (or Saved Files) window? Or were you referring to the Saved Files tab that closes automatically?

Many thanks, Tonnes! Before TB38.4, I was able to see the Downloads Manager by going to the Config Editor (from the Tools menu==>Options==>Advanced==>Config Editor) then choose "false" for the "browser.download.manager.closeWhenDone" preference. This command still exists in the new TB versions (38.4 and 38.5) but is not enabled due to the reason you gave.

The summary is that there is no longer a Downloads Manager window but there is a new Saved Files tab, which I just discovered I can enable by doing one of two things:

1) Go to the "Tools" menu then click on "Saved Files".

2) From the keyboard, just do "Ctrl-J".