This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

firefox won't clear downloads

  • 2 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 25 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

more options

When I download files they are not removed from the download manager after they complete. I have the option for not remember the downloads turned off: Options->Privacy [X] Tell websites I do not want to be tracked Firefox will: "Use custom settings for history" [ ] Always use private browsing mode

 [ ] Remember my browsing and download history
 [X] Remember search and form history
 [X] Accept cookies from sties
   [ ] Accept third party cookies
   Keep until: "they expire"
 [ ] Clear history when Firefox closes.

This is a clean reinstall of Windows 7 and Firefox and nothing I have done seems to keep it from saving this list.

When I download files they are not removed from the download manager after they complete. I have the option for not remember the downloads turned off: Options->Privacy [X] Tell websites I do not want to be tracked Firefox will: "Use custom settings for history" [ ] Always use private browsing mode [ ] Remember my browsing and download history [X] Remember search and form history [X] Accept cookies from sties [ ] Accept third party cookies Keep until: "they expire" [ ] Clear history when Firefox closes. This is a clean reinstall of Windows 7 and Firefox and nothing I have done seems to keep it from saving this list.

Chosen solution

Check in about:config whether this setting is 0 (zero).

  • browser.download.manager.retention

If it is not, set it to 0.

Read this answer in context 👍 3

All Replies (2)

more options

Chosen Solution

Check in about:config whether this setting is 0 (zero).

  • browser.download.manager.retention

If it is not, set it to 0.

more options

Firefox manages the downloads in the Downloads folder in the Library (History > Show All History > Downloads).