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some small issues with the new Library window, with possible suggestions

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Here are my issues, in order of priority, with the first issue being the one I care to have addressed the most.

-I'm OK with the downloads being moved to this awkward new "Library" window. However, the main issue I have right now is that the Library window doesn't appear automatically upon starting a download. I'd like it to. Please point me toward an option to allow me to do this or please implement this, since it seems to me to be a necessary feature for this transition, considering helpful functionality was lost.

-I'd like to be able to hide the left panel with a toggle button at the top. This would help to complete the convenient and compact visible UI for checking download progress.

-The downloading progress bar in the Windows taskbar should be on the "Library" taskbar button instead of the main Firefox taskbar button, to indicate that a non-website file is being downloaded and it's visible in the Library window.

-Please re-add "Open File" to the right-click menu for downloaded files in the Library window. I realize double-clicking on the files works to do this, but it's not obvious and I used to right-click and click "Open File".

-There is an ugly and pointless column on the left side of the right-click menu for downloaded files.

As you can surely tell, I was satisfied with the "Downloads" window that existed before this version and I would definitely prefer it with its full functionality (which is still not addressed by the addon, https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/downloads-window/ ). Also, frankly, I would prefer the nice functionality to be inside Firefox without any addons. Having the window appear upon downloading a non-website file is a very user-friendly feature and should still be accessible at least optionally.

Here are my issues, in order of priority, with the first issue being the one I care to have addressed the most. -I'm OK with the downloads being moved to this awkward new "Library" window. However, the main issue I have right now is that the Library window doesn't appear automatically upon starting a download. I'd like it to. Please point me toward an option to allow me to do this or please implement this, since it seems to me to be a necessary feature for this transition, considering helpful functionality was lost. -I'd like to be able to hide the left panel with a toggle button at the top. This would help to complete the convenient and compact visible UI for checking download progress. -The downloading progress bar in the Windows taskbar should be on the "Library" taskbar button instead of the main Firefox taskbar button, to indicate that a non-website file is being downloaded and it's visible in the Library window. -Please re-add "Open File" to the right-click menu for downloaded files in the Library window. I realize double-clicking on the files works to do this, but it's not obvious and I used to right-click and click "Open File". -There is an ugly and pointless column on the left side of the right-click menu for downloaded files. As you can surely tell, I was satisfied with the "Downloads" window that existed before this version and I would definitely prefer it with its full functionality (which is still not addressed by the addon, https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/downloads-window/ ). Also, frankly, I would prefer the nice functionality to be inside Firefox without any addons. Having the window appear upon downloading a non-website file is a very user-friendly feature and should still be accessible at least optionally.

Modified by AlexFolland

All Replies (3)

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This post was originally a request to have my original post edited and I'd like to delete it since I found the hidden "EDIT THIS QUESTION" button, but there seems to be no post deletion button, so I'm editing this post to explain its presence.

Modified by AlexFolland

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

  • Downloads are treated as history items: clearing history removes included download items and vice verse.
  • When downloads are in progress you see an animated download button on the Navigation Toolbar showing an estimate of the remaining time
  • The Download button gets a green highlight once all download are finished to make you aware that new downloads are available.
  • Pause and Resume can be found in the right-click context menu of an item.

You can display the new Downloads Manager in a tab by opening the about:downloads page and possibly open this page in a separate window.

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Currently there's no built-in option to show any window (Library dialog or other window) at the commencement or completion of a download. As cor-el noted, there is an add-on which displays a compact download list. To submit "wish list" items for future versions of Firefox, you can use

Help > Submit Feedback

(because posts here get buried quickly by newer ones...)