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Downloads to open in window rather than tab

raj1
raj1
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G'day,

I accepted the option to refresh Firefox the other day, and now things are screwed up.

Before this refresh, the standard download manager opened in a new window rather than a new tab. In fact, I did not even know it could open in a new tab.

So, how can I get Firefox to open downloads like it did previously? It was easier to read and provided additional information. Now, I have to scan from one side of the screen to the other to get all the information about a download.

Is there an option somewhere? Nothing about the version has changed - it is still the version before the refresh.

Thanks.

G'day, I accepted the option to refresh Firefox the other day, and now things are screwed up. Before this refresh, the standard download manager opened in a new window rather than a new tab. In fact, I did not even know it could open in a new tab. So, how can I get Firefox to open downloads like it did previously? It was easier to read and provided additional information. Now, I have to scan from one side of the screen to the other to get all the information about a download. Is there an option somewhere? Nothing about the version has changed - it is still the version before the refresh. Thanks.

All Replies (4)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Do you mean the Library dialog that normally opens when you click "Show All Downloads" from the arrow icon on the toolbar?

raj1
raj1 Question owner
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jscher2000 said

Do you mean the Library dialog that normally opens when you click "Show All Downloads" from the arrow icon on the toolbar?

Yes.

Up until the "refresh", if I asked to see all downloads, there was a separate window that would open up that would show me all the downloads that were currently executing and I could also show downloads that were for previous time periods.

Now, I get the stupid tab that is the same as about:downloads which just lists them in one massive window and no options to see the downloads for just today or any other time period.

Just trying various things, I noticed the window that would come up is like the Library that is got at by picking the "hamburger", then History, and that at the bottom, "Show All History". In the window that comes up, it is the Download item.

This used to be displayed by picking the download icon (down arrow) and then "Show All Downlads", or a Ctrl+J

There must be an option to switch off the useless about:downloads.

raj1
raj1 Question owner
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jscher2000 said

Do you mean the Library dialog that normally opens when you click "Show All Downloads" from the arrow icon on the toolbar?

I also read something about this only happening when in Private Browsing mode, but it does not say how to turn off private browsing mode. I have never invoked private browsing mode myself and cannot see anywhere to turn it off.

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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If you were using automatic private browsing, each time you start Firefox you wouldn't have any history or saved cookies, so you probably would have noticed that. To double-check:

"3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options

In the left column, click Privacy. On the right, if the selector says something other than "Firefox will: Use custom settings for history" go ahead and switch to that to reveal the detailed settings.

If the box is checked for "Always use private browsing mode" then Firefox is using automatic private browsing.

After the Refresh, did you install any tab-related extensions like Tab Mix Plus or Tab Utilities? If so, please check their options to make sure they are not diverting the Library dialog into a tab.