Firefox 15 (+26!) Can't disable download history separately!
-
- Posts: 19
- Joined: November 23rd, 2005, 3:18 pm
Firefox 15 (+26!) Can't disable download history separately!
EDIT: FIREFOX 20.0.1 ISSUE IS BACK
EDIT 2: FIREFOX 26 ISSUE IS BACK AGAIN - WORKAROUNDS NOW INEFFECTIVE. NICE ONE MOZILLA!
I recently upgraded to Firefox 15 and have noticed a very frustrating change: the "download history" and "browsing history" options - which used to be separated - are now combined into one.
I can't think of a developmental reason this was done but regardless, is there a way to change it so that firefox *doesn't* remember download history but *does* remember web history?
Here's a comparison of Firefox 12 vs. Firefox 15:
Cheers
EDIT 2: FIREFOX 26 ISSUE IS BACK AGAIN - WORKAROUNDS NOW INEFFECTIVE. NICE ONE MOZILLA!
I recently upgraded to Firefox 15 and have noticed a very frustrating change: the "download history" and "browsing history" options - which used to be separated - are now combined into one.
I can't think of a developmental reason this was done but regardless, is there a way to change it so that firefox *doesn't* remember download history but *does* remember web history?
Here's a comparison of Firefox 12 vs. Firefox 15:
Cheers
Last edited by Soulhunter123 on January 28th, 2014, 6:39 pm, edited 4 times in total.
-
- Posts: 19
- Joined: November 23rd, 2005, 3:18 pm
Re: Firefox 15 change: can't disable download history separa
Answering my own question having just tried some stuff:
To disable download history separately of web history in Firefox 15 (and probably above), navigate to about:config, and change the following values:
EDIT: DOES NOT WORK ANY MORE IN FIREFOX 20.0.1.
EDIT 2: Kind of does, if you also apply browser.download.useToolkitUI --> true, which restores the old-style DL manager.
browser.download.manager.retention --> 0
browser.download.panel.removeFinishedDownloads --> true
Done.
I also tried making the downloads.sqlite file in the Firefox profile folder read-only, but that didn't work and just bugged Firefox so downloads weren't even starting at all.
To the developers - why, oh why, did you deem it necessary to combine two options which were perfectly logically separated into one? Surely that goes against all good practices of software? Bah...
To disable download history separately of web history in Firefox 15 (and probably above), navigate to about:config, and change the following values:
EDIT: DOES NOT WORK ANY MORE IN FIREFOX 20.0.1.
EDIT 2: Kind of does, if you also apply browser.download.useToolkitUI --> true, which restores the old-style DL manager.
browser.download.manager.retention --> 0
browser.download.panel.removeFinishedDownloads --> true
Done.
I also tried making the downloads.sqlite file in the Firefox profile folder read-only, but that didn't work and just bugged Firefox so downloads weren't even starting at all.
To the developers - why, oh why, did you deem it necessary to combine two options which were perfectly logically separated into one? Surely that goes against all good practices of software? Bah...
Last edited by Soulhunter123 on May 4th, 2013, 7:16 am, edited 2 times in total.
- dfoulkes
- Posts: 22525
- Joined: June 28th, 2008, 10:31 pm
- Location: Mesquite, Nevada
Re: Firefox 15: can't disable download history separately SO
I see that you don't have Clear history when Firefox closes active. If you activate that and then Click on settings another screen is displayed with Download history on its own... did you check into any of that?
As you can see she's (The CAT) always alert and on the prowl for Meoware !!
- Bluefang
- Posts: 7857
- Joined: August 10th, 2005, 2:55 pm
- Location: Vermont
- Contact:
Re: Firefox 15: can't disable download history separately SO
Download history is also stored in Firefox -> History -> Downloads or History -> Show All History -> Downloads. The preferences mentioned only control the download manager.
There have always been ghosts in the machine... random segments of code that have grouped together to form unexpected protocols. Unanticipated, these free radicals engender questions of free will, creativity, and even the nature of what we might call the soul...
-
- Posts: 19
- Joined: November 23rd, 2005, 3:18 pm
Re: Firefox 15: can't disable download history separately SO
Firefox 20.0.1 and this problem is back with the newly skinned download manager.
Also, as Bluefang says, download history is always visible under "Show All History".
Mozilla... this is a HUGE step backwards. What are your devs even thinking?!
Look at my first screenshot and tell me what was wrong with that configuration?!
Also, as Bluefang says, download history is always visible under "Show All History".
Mozilla... this is a HUGE step backwards. What are your devs even thinking?!
Look at my first screenshot and tell me what was wrong with that configuration?!
- JayhawksRock
- Posts: 10433
- Joined: October 24th, 2010, 8:51 am
Re: Firefox 15: can't disable download history separately SO
Soulhunter123 wrote:Mozilla... this is a HUGE step backwards. What are your devs even thinking?!
This is not Mozilla in spite of the similar name. http://www.mozillazine.org/about/
You can take your Rant here > https://input.mozilla.org/en-US/feedback
"The trouble with quotes on the internet is you never know if they are genuine" ...Abraham Lincoln
- the-edmeister
- Posts: 32249
- Joined: February 25th, 2003, 12:51 am
- Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Re: Firefox 15 (+20!) Can't disable download history separat
A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Mine has wandered off and I'm out looking for it.
-
- Posts: 19
- Joined: November 23rd, 2005, 3:18 pm
Re: Firefox 15 (+20!) Can't disable download history separat
Thank you both, and sorry for my confusion and frustration.
In the meantime I have discovered you can force Firefox 20 to use the "old style" download manager by changing this in about:config -
browser.download.useToolkitUI = true
When you do this, the above about:config changes will work again. However, download history is still stored in "View All History".
As a kind-of workaround, you can check "Clear history when Firefox closes", and choose to clear download history only, therefore your DL history is completely cleared every time you close.
Personally I use Firefox Preloader with MemoryFox so my Firefox never actually closes. But it's better than nothing.
In the meantime I have discovered you can force Firefox 20 to use the "old style" download manager by changing this in about:config -
browser.download.useToolkitUI = true
When you do this, the above about:config changes will work again. However, download history is still stored in "View All History".
As a kind-of workaround, you can check "Clear history when Firefox closes", and choose to clear download history only, therefore your DL history is completely cleared every time you close.
Personally I use Firefox Preloader with MemoryFox so my Firefox never actually closes. But it's better than nothing.
- dfoulkes
- Posts: 22525
- Joined: June 28th, 2008, 10:31 pm
- Location: Mesquite, Nevada
Re: Firefox 15 (+20!) Can't disable download history separat
Not sure if this will help out... don't use it so I can't comment on it...
Download Cleaner :: Add-ons for Firefox
Download Cleaner :: Add-ons for Firefox
As you can see she's (The CAT) always alert and on the prowl for Meoware !!
-
- Posts: 19
- Joined: November 23rd, 2005, 3:18 pm
Re: Firefox 15 (+20!) Can't disable download history separat
dfoulkes wrote:Not sure if this will help out... don't use it so I can't comment on it...
Download Cleaner :: Add-ons for Firefox
Thank you, that seems useful. I'll give it a try.
Very interesting that one of the top reviews for the add-on states:
Download and browsing history should be two separate items by default, especially since I've set Firefox to clear downloads.
I really hope Mozilla take notice!
- dfoulkes
- Posts: 22525
- Joined: June 28th, 2008, 10:31 pm
- Location: Mesquite, Nevada
Re: Firefox 15 (+20!) Can't disable download history separat
I really hope Mozilla take notice!
I doubt it... that's why people create extensions... because Mozilla doesn't seem to notice real-life at times.
Hope that ext. works out for you.
As you can see she's (The CAT) always alert and on the prowl for Meoware !!
-
- Posts: 19
- Joined: November 23rd, 2005, 3:18 pm
Re: Firefox 15 (+26!) Can't disable download history separat
Firefox 26, "useToolkitUI" and "downloadManager.retention" options now completely ineffective.
Keep on "improving" the browser, Mozilla. You're doing a bang-up job.
Keep on "improving" the browser, Mozilla. You're doing a bang-up job.
- LoudNoise
- New Member
- Posts: 39900
- Joined: October 18th, 2007, 1:45 pm
- Location: Next door to the west
Re: Firefox 15 (+26!) Can't disable download history separat
"We" are not doing anything. See http://www.mozillazine.org/about/
Locking due to age. If you want to start a new thread feel free.
Locking due to age. If you want to start a new thread feel free.
Post wrangler
"Choose between the Food Select Feature or other Functions. If no food or function is chosen, Toast is the default."
"Choose between the Food Select Feature or other Functions. If no food or function is chosen, Toast is the default."