Google Chrome has recently rolled out a significant change to its downloads interface, moving the familiar download bar from the bottom of the browser window to a new, more integrated button within the toolbar. This update, which has been in testing for some time, is now widely available in stable versions of Chrome.
Understanding the New Downloads UI
The previous download bar, which appeared at the bottom of the screen with each new download, has been replaced by a dedicated button in the browser’s toolbar. This button typically appears to the right of the address bar, alongside extensions and your profile icon. It is usually represented by a downward-pointing arrow icon.
Clicking this new button opens a small bubble that displays your most recent downloads. From this bubble, users can perform several actions, including pausing or resuming a download, opening the downloaded file, showing the file in its containing folder, or navigating to the full downloads page (accessible via chrome://downloads) for a complete history.
Where to Find the New Downloads Button
To locate your recent downloads:
- Look for a downward-pointing arrow icon in the Chrome toolbar, typically on the right side.
- If the icon is not immediately visible, it might appear after you initiate a new download. The button will often animate to indicate a download in progress and then remain visible for a period.
- Clicking this icon will reveal a list of your most recent downloads.
How to Revert the New Downloads UI (Temporary)
For users who prefer the old download bar, there is a temporary method to revert the change using Chrome’s experimental flags. It is important to note that these flags may be removed in future updates, making the new UI permanent.
- Open a new tab in Chrome and navigate to chrome://flags.
- In the search bar at the top, type “Download bubble” or “Download bubble V2”.
- Locate the relevant flag (e.g., “Download bubble” or “Enable download bubble V2”).
- Change the setting for this flag from “Default” or “Enabled” to “Disabled”.
- Relaunch Chrome when prompted.
After relaunching, the traditional download bar should reappear at the bottom of your browser window for new downloads. If you wish to re-enable the new UI, simply repeat these steps and set the flag back to “Default” or “Enabled”.
