[Tip] How to Always Show “Downloads” Button in Mozilla Firefox Toolbar

This article will help you in pinning or always showing “Downloads” button or icon in main toolbar of Mozilla Firefox web browser newer versions (version 89 and later).

All web browses come with a built-in Download Manager which helps users in downloading files from Internet. Firefox also comes with a basic Download Manager feature which allows users to download files from websites. It comes with all essential features such as pause/resume downloads, etc.

As soon as you click on a file to download it, Firefox automatically starts downloading the file using its download manager. You’ll notice that a new icon or button of Download Manager appears on Firefox toolbar which displays the progress of the downloading file.

Once the file is downloaded and you click on the Downloads button on Firefox toolbar, the button disappears from the toolbar. This feature is called “Auto Hidden“. Actually the Downloads icon in Firefox is set to Auto Hidden which means it only shows when Firefox is downloading a file. Other times, the Downloads button is not shown on the toolbar.

Many people want to always show Downloads button on Firefox toolbar as it allows to quickly access the downloaded files.

PS: You can quickly launch Downloads Manager in Firefox by pressing Ctrl+J keys together.

We have told you in past how to restore the missing Downloads button on Firefox toolbar and how to remove the Auto Hidden attribute in following article:

[Tip] Restore Missing “Downloads” Button on Firefox Toolbar

In newer versions of Firefox browser such as version 89 and later, some readers have reported that the checkbox to enable/disable Auto-hidden feature for Downloads button is not available. They are unable to find the checkbox to remove auto hidden functionality.

Actually a new option to Downloads button context menu has been added to turn on/off auto-hidden feature. Also the previous about:config preference/flag still works in newer Firefox versions.

If you are also using Firefox 89 or later versions and want to pin or always show “Downloads” button on Firefox toolbar, following steps will help you:

METHOD 1: Using Firefox Toolbar Customize Window

1. Right-click on the title bar or toolbar and select “Customize Toolbar” option. It’ll open customize Firefox window. You can also select the customize toolbar option from Firefox main menu.

2. In Firefox Customize window, you’ll notice that the “Downloads” button is showing on the toolbar. Right-click on the “Downloads” button and look for “Hide Button When Empty” option in context menu. This option is enabled by default which means Downloads button will auto-hide in toolbar.

3. Click on the “Hide Button When Empty” option to uncheck it.

That’s it. Now the “Downloads” button will always remain visible on Firefox toolbar.

METHOD 2: Using About:Config Page

1. Open Mozilla Firefox and type about:config in the addressbar and press Enter. It’ll show you a warning message, click on “Accept the Risk and Continue” button. It’ll open Firefox’s hidden secret advanced configuration page i.e. about:config page.

2. Now type autohidebutton in Search filter box and look for following preference in the window:

The preference value is set to true by default, which means the “Downloads” button is not always displayed in Firefox toolbar.

3. To permanently enable and always show “Downloads” button in Firefox toolbar, double-click on browser.download.autohideButton preference and set it to false. Alternatively, you can click on the Toggle icon given next to the preference name.

That’s it. It’ll immediately add missing “Downloads” button to Firefox toolbar permanently.

Also Check:

[Tip] How to Always Show Downloads Icon in Microsoft Edge Toolbar

[Tip] Restore Old Classic Theme and UI in Firefox 89 and Later Versions

[Tip] Restore “Compact Mode” Density Option in Firefox Customize Window

[Fix] Restore Real Working Search Box on New Tab Page in Firefox 89 and Later