The Intrusive Shelf
Historically, when you downloaded a file using Google Chrome, the browser would automatically pop open a thick, grey “Downloads Bar” along the entire bottom edge of the browser window. This shelf would display the progress of the download and remain open, consuming valuable vertical screen real estate, until you explicitly clicked the small ‘X’ on the far right to close it. For users who frequently download small images or PDF documents throughout the workday, constantly battling this intrusive bottom tray became a major annoyance, as it frequently blocked the footer navigation of the websites they were trying to view.
Embracing the New UI
To reclaim your screen space and stop Google Chrome from automatically opening the massive downloads tray at the bottom of the window, you must ensure you are using the modern download interface.
Google recognized this frustration and completely redesigned the download experience. The bottom tray has been officially deprecated. To fix this issue, you simply need to update your browser. Click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner, go to Help, and select About Google Chrome. Chrome will automatically check for and install the latest version. Once updated and restarted, the old bottom tray is gone forever. Downloads will now appear in a small, discreet pop-up bubble attached to a new “Download” icon located next to your address bar in the top right, entirely eliminating the bottom-screen intrusion.