hello DCLXVI, it should be possible to do that in the settings. go to firefox > options > privacy & in history select firefox will: "Use custom settings for history" - then you can uncheck "remember download history".

Current Firefox versions only have one combined setting for the browsing and download history, so it is no longer possible to only keep the browsing history.
The download history is also stored in the Downloads folder in the Bookmarks and History Manager (Library) and that history is not removed if you clear the Download Manager window.

• History > Show All History > Downloads

You will have to remove the download history manually via clear (recent) history or via their respective windows.

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Clear+Recent+History

Hi,

Thanks.

However when did that change occur ?

I think that earlier this year, I had my Firefox with a very old profile and it was still working like that even if the options disappeared from the menus.

I changed my PC and did not bother recovering all the profile, just the bookmarks. So I started with a new profile and since I have not been able to do that.

That's why I asked about some about:config changes.

Was there ever an answer to this? It just seems to have died out without being resolved. I've got the same problem -- downloads were clearing just the way I wanted them to, regardless of what version I was using.

But I created another profile and I can't get it to do the same thing there. Surely, there must be some way to trigger the setting, because the setting obviously still exists.

OK, I've got it. Type about:config into address bar and click through. find setting "browser.download.manager.retention" and set it to "0." Other settings are "1" = clear on exit and "2" = clear manually.

There are some prefs that deal with keeping a download history in the Download Manager, but that do not effect the Downloads folder in the Library (Bookmarks/History Manager).

• browser.download.manager.retention (2) 0:success 1:exit 2:manual
• browser.download.panel.removeFinishedDownloads

Note that this may not be possible in future Firefox versions.

• Bug 838663 - Remove support for browser.download.panel.removeFinishedDownloads

Ok, so setting browser.download.panel.removeFinishedDownloads to false solved the problem !

However, I don't understand why this history behavior was changed at all...

I mean, on successful downloads when the window closes I don't want history of my downloads. However I want to keep my other browsing history.

That was a good thing to have both separate things. Grouping both just seems like a step back in available functionnalities.

A big Thanks to all who tried to help !

Is there any workaround in the latest browser version since "browser.download.panel.removeFinishedDownloads" does not exist any longer? I hate having to clear browser AND download history at the same time. Who thought this up?

See:

• bug 838681 - Figure out use-cases of the retention preference, and support them in the new downloads experience

(please do not comment in bug reports: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/page.cgi?id=etiquette.html)