Google is rolling out redesigned download experience called “Download Tray” in the Chrome browser. Downloads now appear at the top right of the screen via an icon on the toolbar, rather than in a bottom bar. Here is how to restore Chrome’s classic or old downloads UI at the bottom.
Until now, when you download a file or something, Chrome saves it to the bottom shelf. Recently, Google moved downloads to the top of the toolbar with an update to Chrome 115.
Google has been working on a new Downloads interface for Chrome for some time now and has started rolling out the feature fully to the stable version now. The change is now live for all users.
Whenever you download anything, Chrome shows its progress via an animation around the downloads icon on the toolbar.
Chrome’s new downloads design matches with Microsoft Edge and Firefox.
As before, you can manage all downloads chrome://downloads page.
Note: This is the initial version of the “Download bubble”, Google is working on adding more features not present on the “download shelf” in the second verison. The improvements and new features may come later.
Chrome’s legacy downloads experience vs new download tray
Download bar:
Pros:
- It was easier to check all recent downloads from the bottom of the screen, by clicking “Show all”.
Cons:
- occupies valuable screen space.
- it doesn’t go away once the download is complete
- The download bar offers limited options such as pause/resume and open folder from the menu.
The new download tray
Pros:
- Available right of the address bar makes it easier to monitor downloads
- The tray opens when the download is complete and automatically closes itself, unlike the download bar.
- The tray makes it easier to manage each download
Cons:
- The Download progress animation may be annoying and irritating.
If you don’t like Chrome’s new downloads toolbar icon on top, you can disable it and revert to Chrome downloading files to the shelf at the bottom.
Disable Chrome’s download tray and restore the download bar at the bottom
- Open Chrome 115 or newer
- Visit chrome://flags
- Search for “download bubble”, for “Enable download bubble”, select Disabled
- Restart browser.
From now on, Chrome downloads files to the bottom like before. But it is important to note that, the flags are temporary and may disappear at any time.
What’s your take on Chrome’s new Downloads UI? Have you liked it? Let us know in the comments below
Final words: Chrome has updated the downloads interface with a new design. In case you don’t like it, here is how to disable it and restore the classic downloads shelf at the bottom for downloads.
More on chrome:
Chrome 116 to introduce ‘One-time permissions’ for greater control over websites
Chrome now supports Windows 11’s ‘Fluent Scrollbars’, how to enable?
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