Download bar missing in Chrome in the latest update and users are furious
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Have you noticed that the download bar missing in Chrome? If so, you’re not the only one. Here’s how to revert it back.
Google has moved the download bar from the bottom of the Chrome browser to the top right of the screen on the toolbar, similar to Edge. This change is effective starting today after the August 2023 update for users on macOS, Windows, and ChromeOS devices.
Some users may find this change inconvenient, especially if they are used to downloading files from one place and then uploading them straight away somewhere else, like to a cloud storage service. However, Google believes that the new location of the download bar will make it easier for users to keep track of their downloads and access them more quickly.
A user on the Chrome subreddit expressed dissatisfaction with the new download bar. The user said that the downloads no longer show up in a bottom bar, but rather in a “weird pop up up top.” The user asked if there was any way to revert to the old setting, and apparently, they’re not the only one.
“I don’t get why this kind of update is mandatory. I use the bottom bar all the time and this is a hindrance,” another user chimes in.
How to revert old download bar in Chrome
- Type chrome://flags/#download-bubble into the address bar.
- Hit Enter
- Select Disabled on the dropdown, then restart the browser.
Have you ever experienced a download bar missing in Chrome? If so, let us know in the comments!
7 thoughts on “Download bar missing in Chrome in the latest update and users are furious”
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Thank you, thank you, thank you.
The missing Download Bar in Chrome was driving me mad. It's so convenient having it on the bottom left and displaying the current download progress. I thought it was something that I'd accidentally done, that had removed it! I tried Googling it, but I didn't know what it was actually called?
Your explanation, in non-computer technical jargon, managed to solve it.
Many thanks
Chris
Thank you very much I was looking for this I personally dont like the bubble, yes it's not taking any kind of screen real estate, but the overlay can be trouble some. I personally have it on the buttom there it will not cover anything like the bubble would and I can drag and drop it way easier.
THANK YOU!!! This was driving me nuts. Appreciate the tip on how to fix. Easy, and it worked!
You are a legend, this was driving me up the wall – thank you!
Thanks!
Finally, I was able to changed it back. I thought it might have been my fault, some bad script, malware, SDD malfunction, or just plain ignorance on my part. Thanks to you, I have reverted this (bright ????) update to the way I was used to for many years. An I'm happy it was not my fault …
Software vendors FAIL FAIL FAIL to realize that these "COOL" changes they make often appeal to 1) developers 2) users of OTHER software they want to copy. User engagement and focus can be totally destroyed by minor UI changes.
BETA is not about getting user acceptance of changes. When an app with a decade of use makes minor UI changes, they should ALWAYS make the legacy UI optional per feature. And put the options to change teh behavior in the preference page, not some developer settings page.