Yes, that item is in a dangerous location, isn't it. Edit: Added screenshot

To switch back to the old style download list, see the following thread: Got new version, want to go back to previous download box, the new one has no history and doesn't show speed of download, how do I go back?

I'm not aware of any way to undo clearing your downloads list, nor does Firefox keep a backup. If you do not routinely back up your Firefox settings, there still might be some hope.

(1) Open your currently active Firefox settings folder (AKA your Firefox profile folder) using:

Help > Troubleshooting Information > "Show Folder" button

Without closing Firefox, make a copy of the downloads.sqlite file in a safe location.

(2) Leave that window open, exit Firefox, and pause while files are updated.

(3) Right-click downloads.sqlite and choose Properties > Previous Versions. Anything there? This article has more information on this feature: Windows Vista Previous Versions FAQ.

can you tell me in more detailed steps. i cant understand your steps. what to do.

It is usually best to use the Delete key to remove individual entries in the Download Manager

You can remove this item in the right-click context menu with this code in the userChrome.css file below the default @namespace line.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/userChrome.css

The customization files userChrome.css (interface) and userContent.css (websites) are located in the chrome folder in the user profile folder.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Editing_configuration

@namespace url("http://www.mozilla.org/keymaster/gatekeeper/there.is.only.xul"); /* only needed once */

#downloadsContextMenu menuitem[command="downloadsCmd_clearDownloads"] { display:none; }

Hi ngupdate, I posted 2 different things.

• One is to change from the new Downloads Panel to the old Downloads Manager dialog. The link I posted should give you the information you need for that. If not, you might follow up in that thread on where the instructions are not clear.

• The other was the Windows feature to restore a file. Were you trying to follow my steps there? Which part didn't work?

hi--i got the about:config change itto true one done-- the other one restoring the list i don't

this i got----Help > Troubleshooting Information > "Show Folder" button

this lost don't know what to do----Without closing Firefox, make a copy of the downloads.sqlite file in a safe location.

(^^^if i highlight downloads.squite file then right click on it what do i click on to copy it & to  where ? the desktop ?)

(2) Leave that window open, exit Firefox, and pause while files are updated.

(3) Right-click downloads.sqlite and choose Properties > Previous Versions. Anything there?

i wish i could call on phone tell me what to click do. can you give exact protocol steps simple for a dummy

When I say a "safe location" I just mean completely outside all Mozilla folders. For example, the desktop or documents.

To copy, you can right-click > Copy. Then go to the other folder and right-click > Paste. If you compare, the file sizes should be the same.

your directions aren't clear enough . there are shadow copies in the properties previous versions. they were there even before all this . i did what you say. i r clk copy then paste into a r clk desktop new folder it . there it in previous versions along with 5 others . nothing no download library list back.

the other supposed change back. it put the list page back no column by changing false to true. but i tried a download. it put it as before but when click open nothing happens its dead. tried over over again. the changed download library back tio old style does not function. nothing working right here . no list back. the change back doesn't function.

Okay, let's separate those.

i r clk copy then paste into a r clk desktop new folder it

Okay. That's a backup.

there are shadow copies in the properties previous versions. they were there even before all this

Are you able to restore the most recent previous version of downloads.sqlite in your profile folder, in place of the one that got emptied? What we're trying to do is get Firefox to pick up that list.

Are you able to restore the most recent previous version of downloads.sqlite in your profile folder, in place of the one that got emptied? What we're trying to do is get Firefox to pick up that list. ------------how?

YOU GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE ME EXACT STEPS HOW TO DO THIS-----I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DO WHAT YOU KEEP SAYING

The downloads.sqlite stores the downloads as seen in the classic Download Manager.

I think that you need an older version of the places.sqlite file if you want to restore the content of the Downloads folder in the Library (History Manager).

You could try to check if the files are still in the classic Download Manager present.

You can set the Boolean pref browser.download.useToolkitUI to true on the about:config page to restore the old download manager window.

You can open about:xxxx pages via the location bar like you open a website.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/about:config

Did you manage to open the Firefox profile folder?

You can use this button to go to the Firefox profile folder:

• Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Show Folder

In that folder you need to locate the downloads.sqlite file or the places.sqlite as mentioned above.
Right-click that file and open the Properties in the right-click context menu.

• right-click: Properties > Previous Versions

You will have to check if there is a previous version available of this file that has those lost downloads (compare with the date that you deleted them).
Note that restoring places.sqlite will remove history and bookmarks created after the restore date, so you may want to reconsider this.

See also:

• http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Previous-versions-of-files-frequently-asked-questions

OK, this is how it works for those that are interested.

The Library shows downloads as history items and adds an annotation (places table: moz_annos) to identify them as downloads.

• SQLite Manager: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/sqlite-manager/

moz_anno_attributes defines those entries as:
17: downloads/destinationFileURI
18: downloads/destinationFileName

If you clear the history or history item and that item is a file that you've downloaded then that item is removed from the History Downloads folder as well and vise verse if you remove an item or all items in the Downloads folder in the Library then the corresponding history is removed as well.
You can easily see this if you open the History in the side bar and search for the file extension of downloaded files (e.g. jpg or mp4) and open the Library as well.
Make a copy of places.sqlite before doing any experiments.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

Note that this in only about the history and downloads manager and not about files stored on the computer.
Those will still be there unless they are deleted, you only can't see to which folder they were downloaded and open that folder.

cor-el, I see that you recommend using the Delete key and that's exactly what I've been used to do but since the migration to the new Download Manager/Library I can no longer delete multiple items using the Del button on the keyboard. I'm selecting multiple items either using "Shift" or "Ctrl" and when I press "del" I expect all of them to be removed but sadly only the first one gets removed. If this is was intentional the person who designed it should seriously reconsider it since this is not intuitive and not the way it works in every other software. If it's a bug I hope there will be a quick fix soon.

... and one more thing - I followed your advice to remove "Clear Downloads" from the right click popup menu and it worked just fine. There is a small UI glitch though - a thin separator line in the menu that's left behind. Is it possible to remove it too? It's not that important but I'll be glad if I can make it perfect.

Yes, it looks that this isn't included with the new Download Manager.

Maybe file an enhancement request on Bugzilla to add this feature because you can select multiple items.

See also:

• bug 564934 - (DownloadsPanel) Implement new Download Manager UI for browser