diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index f9790b6..7abcea8 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## Changes 4/25/2025
+
+- Switch single‐file download to native `<a>` link (no JS buffering)
+- Keep spinner modal during ZIP creation and download blob on POST response
+- Replace text toggle with a single button showing sun/moon icons and hover tooltip
+
 ## Changes 4/24/2025 1.2.5
 
 - Enhance README and wiki with expanded installation instructions
diff --git a/public/css/styles.css b/public/css/styles.css
index 8331134..86b2e4b 100644
--- a/public/css/styles.css
+++ b/public/css/styles.css
@@ -80,6 +80,9 @@ body.dark-mode .header-container {
   background-color: #1f1f1f;
   box-shadow: 0 2px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7);
 }
+#darkModeIcon {
+  color: #fff;
+}
 
 .header-logo {
   max-height: 50px;
diff --git a/public/index.html b/public/index.html
index 9cc14b3..3969da8 100644
--- a/public/index.html
+++ b/public/index.html
@@ -41,9 +41,9 @@
   <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/dompurify/2.4.0/purify.min.js"
     integrity="sha384-Tsl3d5pUAO7a13enIvSsL3O0/95nsthPJiPto5NtLuY8w3+LbZOpr3Fl2MNmrh1E"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
-    <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/fuse.js@6.6.2/dist/fuse.min.js"
-     integrity="sha384-zPE55eyESN+FxCWGEnlNxGyAPJud6IZ6TtJmXb56OFRGhxZPN4akj9rjA3gw5Qqa" 
-     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
+  <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/fuse.js@6.6.2/dist/fuse.min.js"
+    integrity="sha384-zPE55eyESN+FxCWGEnlNxGyAPJud6IZ6TtJmXb56OFRGhxZPN4akj9rjA3gw5Qqa"
+    crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
   <link rel="stylesheet" href="css/styles.css" />
 </head>
 
@@ -78,16 +78,16 @@
                 stroke: white;
                 stroke-width: 2;
               }
-      
+
               .divider {
                 stroke: #1565C0;
                 stroke-width: 1.5;
               }
-      
+
               .drawer {
                 fill: #FFFFFF;
               }
-      
+
               .handle {
                 fill: #1565C0;
               }
@@ -159,7 +159,11 @@
           <button id="removeUserBtn" data-i18n-title="remove_user" style="display: none;">
             <i class="material-icons">person_remove</i>
           </button>
-          <button id="darkModeToggle" class="dark-mode-toggle" data-i18n-key="dark_mode_toggle">Dark Mode</button>
+          <button id="darkModeToggle" class="btn-icon" aria-label="Toggle dark mode">
+            <span class="material-icons" id="darkModeIcon">
+              dark_mode
+            </span>
+          </button>
         </div>
       </div>
     </div>
@@ -200,7 +204,8 @@
             </div>
             <!-- Basic HTTP Login Option -->
             <div class="text-center mt-3">
-              <a href="/api/auth/login_basic.php" class="btn btn-secondary" data-i18n-key="basic_http_login">Use Basic HTTP
+              <a href="/api/auth/login_basic.php" class="btn btn-secondary" data-i18n-key="basic_http_login">Use Basic
+                HTTP
                 Login</a>
             </div>
           </div>
@@ -284,10 +289,10 @@
                           </div>
                         </div>
                       </div>
-                    
+
                       <button id="shareFolderBtn" class="btn btn-secondary ml-2" data-i18n-title="share_folder">
                         <i class="material-icons">share</i>
-                     </button>
+                      </button>
                       <button id="deleteFolderBtn" class="btn btn-danger ml-2" data-i18n-title="delete_folder">
                         <i class="material-icons">delete</i>
                       </button>
@@ -394,33 +399,47 @@
 <!-- Download Progress Modal -->
 <div id="downloadProgressModal" class="modal" style="display: none;">
   <div class="modal-content" style="text-align: center; padding: 20px;">
-    <!-- Material icon spinner with a dedicated class -->
+    <h4 id="downloadProgressTitle" data-i18n-key="preparing_download">
+      Preparing your download...
+    </h4>
+
+    <!-- spinner -->
     <span class="material-icons download-spinner">autorenew</span>
-    <p data-i18n-key="preparing_download">Preparing your download...</p>
+
+    <!-- these were missing -->
+    <progress
+      id="downloadProgressBar"
+      value="0" max="100"
+      style="width:100%; height:1.5em; display:none;"
+    ></progress>
+    <p>
+      <span id="downloadProgressPercent" style="display:none;">0%</span>
+    </p>
   </div>
 </div>
 
-<!-- Single File Download Modal -->
-<div id="downloadFileModal" class="modal" style="display: none;">
-  <div class="modal-content" style="text-align: center; padding: 20px;">
-    <h4 data-i18n-key="download_file">Download File</h4>
-    <p data-i18n-key="confirm_or_change_filename">Confirm or change the download file name:</p>
-    <input type="text" id="downloadFileNameInput" class="form-control" data-i18n-placeholder="filename" placeholder="Filename" />
-    <div style="margin-top: 15px; text-align: right;">
-      <button id="cancelDownloadFile" class="btn btn-secondary"
-              onclick="document.getElementById('downloadFileModal').style.display = 'none';"
-              data-i18n-key="cancel">Cancel</button>
-      <button id="confirmSingleDownloadButton" class="btn btn-primary"
-              onclick="confirmSingleDownload()"
-              data-i18n-key="download">Download</button>
+  <!-- Single File Download Modal -->
+  <div id="downloadFileModal" class="modal" style="display: none;">
+    <div class="modal-content" style="text-align: center; padding: 20px;">
+      <h4 data-i18n-key="download_file">Download File</h4>
+      <p data-i18n-key="confirm_or_change_filename">Confirm or change the download file name:</p>
+      <input type="text" id="downloadFileNameInput" class="form-control" data-i18n-placeholder="filename"
+        placeholder="Filename" />
+      <div style="margin-top: 15px; text-align: right;">
+        <button id="cancelDownloadFile" class="btn btn-secondary"
+          onclick="document.getElementById('downloadFileModal').style.display = 'none';"
+          data-i18n-key="cancel">Cancel</button>
+        <button id="confirmSingleDownloadButton" class="btn btn-primary" onclick="confirmSingleDownload()"
+          data-i18n-key="download">Download</button>
+      </div>
     </div>
   </div>
-</div>
 
   <!-- Change Password, Add User, Remove User, Rename File, and Custom Confirm Modals (unchanged) -->
   <div id="changePasswordModal" class="modal" style="display:none;">
     <div class="modal-content" style="max-width:400px; margin:auto;">
-      <span id="closeChangePasswordModal" style="position:absolute; top:10px; right:10px; cursor:pointer; font-size:24px;">&times;</span>
+      <span id="closeChangePasswordModal"
+        style="position:absolute; top:10px; right:10px; cursor:pointer; font-size:24px;">&times;</span>
       <h3 data-i18n-key="change_password_title">Change Password</h3>
       <input type="password" id="oldPassword" class="form-control" data-i18n-placeholder="old_password"
         placeholder="Old Password" style="width:100%; margin: 5px 0;" />
diff --git a/public/js/fileActions.js b/public/js/fileActions.js
index 44914a3..2557e6c 100644
--- a/public/js/fileActions.js
+++ b/public/js/fileActions.js
@@ -80,16 +80,16 @@ export function openDownloadModal(fileName, folder) {
   // Store file details globally for the download confirmation function.
   window.singleFileToDownload = fileName;
   window.currentFolder = folder || "root";
-  
+
   // Optionally pre-fill the file name input in the modal.
   const input = document.getElementById("downloadFileNameInput");
   if (input) {
     input.value = fileName; // Use file name as-is (or modify if desired)
   }
-  
+
   // Show the single file download modal (a new modal element).
   document.getElementById("downloadFileModal").style.display = "block";
-  
+
   // Optionally focus the input after a short delay.
   setTimeout(() => {
     if (input) input.focus();
@@ -97,58 +97,34 @@ export function openDownloadModal(fileName, folder) {
 }
 
 export function confirmSingleDownload() {
-  // Get the file name from the modal. Users can change it if desired.
-  let fileName = document.getElementById("downloadFileNameInput").value.trim();
+  // 1) Get and validate the filename
+  const input = document.getElementById("downloadFileNameInput");
+  const fileName = input.value.trim();
   if (!fileName) {
     showToast("Please enter a name for the file.");
     return;
   }
-  
-  // Hide the download modal.
+
+  // 2) Hide the download-name modal
   document.getElementById("downloadFileModal").style.display = "none";
-  // Show the progress modal (same as in your ZIP download flow).
-  document.getElementById("downloadProgressModal").style.display = "block";
-  
-  // Build the URL for download.php using GET parameters.
+
+  // 3) Build the direct download URL
   const folder = window.currentFolder || "root";
-  const downloadURL = "/api/file/download.php?folder=" + encodeURIComponent(folder) +
-                      "&file=" + encodeURIComponent(window.singleFileToDownload);
-  
-  fetch(downloadURL, {
-    method: "GET",
-    credentials: "include"
-  })
-    .then(response => {
-      if (!response.ok) {
-        return response.text().then(text => {
-          throw new Error("Failed to download file: " + text);
-        });
-      }
-      return response.blob();
-    })
-    .then(blob => {
-      if (!blob || blob.size === 0) {
-        throw new Error("Received empty file.");
-      }
-      const url = window.URL.createObjectURL(blob);
-      const a = document.createElement("a");
-      a.style.display = "none";
-      a.href = url;
-      a.download = fileName;
-      document.body.appendChild(a);
-      a.click();
-      window.URL.revokeObjectURL(url);
-      a.remove();
-      // Hide the progress modal.
-      document.getElementById("downloadProgressModal").style.display = "none";
-      showToast("Download started.");
-    })
-    .catch(error => {
-      // Hide progress modal and show error.
-      document.getElementById("downloadProgressModal").style.display = "none";
-      console.error("Error downloading file:", error);
-      showToast("Error downloading file: " + error.message);
-    });
+  const downloadURL = "/api/file/download.php"
+    + "?folder=" + encodeURIComponent(folder)
+    + "&file=" + encodeURIComponent(window.singleFileToDownload);
+
+  // 4) Trigger native browser download
+  const a = document.createElement("a");
+  a.href = downloadURL;
+  a.download = fileName;
+  a.style.display = "none";
+  document.body.appendChild(a);
+  a.click();
+  document.body.removeChild(a);
+
+  // 5) Notify the user
+  showToast("Download started. Check your browser’s download manager.");
 }
 
 export function handleExtractZipSelected(e) {
@@ -168,16 +144,21 @@ export function handleExtractZipSelected(e) {
     showToast("No zip files selected.");
     return;
   }
-  
-  // Change progress modal text to "Extracting files..."
-  const progressText = document.querySelector("#downloadProgressModal p");
-  if (progressText) {
-    progressText.textContent = "Extracting files...";
-  }
-  
-  // Show the progress modal.
-  document.getElementById("downloadProgressModal").style.display = "block";
-  
+
+  // Prepare and show the spinner-only modal
+  const modal = document.getElementById("downloadProgressModal");
+  const titleEl = document.getElementById("downloadProgressTitle");
+  const spinner = modal.querySelector(".download-spinner");
+  const progressBar = document.getElementById("downloadProgressBar");
+  const progressPct = document.getElementById("downloadProgressPercent");
+
+  if (titleEl) titleEl.textContent = "Extracting files…";
+  if (spinner) spinner.style.display = "inline-block";
+  if (progressBar) progressBar.style.display = "none";
+  if (progressPct) progressPct.style.display = "none";
+
+  modal.style.display = "block";
+
   fetch("/api/file/extractZip.php", {
     method: "POST",
     credentials: "include",
@@ -192,45 +173,42 @@ export function handleExtractZipSelected(e) {
   })
     .then(response => response.json())
     .then(data => {
-      // Hide the progress modal once the request has completed.
-      document.getElementById("downloadProgressModal").style.display = "none";
+      modal.style.display = "none";
       if (data.success) {
-        let toastMessage = "Zip file(s) extracted successfully!";
-        if (data.extractedFiles && Array.isArray(data.extractedFiles) && data.extractedFiles.length) {
-          toastMessage = "Extracted: " + data.extractedFiles.join(", ");
+        let msg = "Zip file(s) extracted successfully!";
+        if (Array.isArray(data.extractedFiles) && data.extractedFiles.length) {
+          msg = "Extracted: " + data.extractedFiles.join(", ");
         }
-        showToast(toastMessage);
+        showToast(msg);
         loadFileList(window.currentFolder);
       } else {
         showToast("Error extracting zip: " + (data.error || "Unknown error"));
       }
     })
     .catch(error => {
-      // Hide the progress modal on error.
-      document.getElementById("downloadProgressModal").style.display = "none";
+      modal.style.display = "none";
       console.error("Error extracting zip files:", error);
       showToast("Error extracting zip files.");
     });
 }
 
-const extractZipBtn = document.getElementById("extractZipBtn");
-if (extractZipBtn) {
-  extractZipBtn.replaceWith(extractZipBtn.cloneNode(true));
-  document.getElementById("extractZipBtn").addEventListener("click", handleExtractZipSelected);
-}
+document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", () => {
+  const zipNameModal   = document.getElementById("downloadZipModal");
+  const progressModal  = document.getElementById("downloadProgressModal");
+  const cancelZipBtn   = document.getElementById("cancelDownloadZip");
+  const confirmZipBtn  = document.getElementById("confirmDownloadZip");
 
-document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function () {
-  const cancelDownloadZip = document.getElementById("cancelDownloadZip");
-  if (cancelDownloadZip) {
-    cancelDownloadZip.addEventListener("click", function () {
-      document.getElementById("downloadZipModal").style.display = "none";
+  // 1) Cancel button hides the name modal
+  if (cancelZipBtn) {
+    cancelZipBtn.addEventListener("click", () => {
+      zipNameModal.style.display = "none";
     });
   }
 
-  // This part remains in your confirmDownloadZip event handler:
-  const confirmDownloadZip = document.getElementById("confirmDownloadZip");
-  if (confirmDownloadZip) {
-    confirmDownloadZip.addEventListener("click", function () {
+  // 2) Confirm button kicks off the zip+download
+  if (confirmZipBtn) {
+    confirmZipBtn.addEventListener("click", async () => {
+      // a) Validate ZIP filename
       let zipName = document.getElementById("zipFileNameInput").value.trim();
       if (!zipName) {
         showToast("Please enter a name for the zip file.");
@@ -239,52 +217,56 @@ document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function () {
       if (!zipName.toLowerCase().endsWith(".zip")) {
         zipName += ".zip";
       }
-      // Hide the ZIP name input modal
-      document.getElementById("downloadZipModal").style.display = "none";
-      // Show the progress modal here only on confirm
-      console.log("Download confirmed. Showing progress modal.");
-      document.getElementById("downloadProgressModal").style.display = "block";
-      const folder = window.currentFolder || "root";
-      fetch("/api/file/downloadZip.php", {
-        method: "POST",
-        credentials: "include",
-        headers: {
-          "Content-Type": "application/json",
-          "X-CSRF-Token": window.csrfToken
-        },
-        body: JSON.stringify({ folder: folder, files: window.filesToDownload })
-      })
-        .then(response => {
-          if (!response.ok) {
-            return response.text().then(text => {
-              throw new Error("Failed to create zip file: " + text);
-            });
-          }
-          return response.blob();
-        })
-        .then(blob => {
-          if (!blob || blob.size === 0) {
-            throw new Error("Received empty zip file.");
-          }
-          const url = window.URL.createObjectURL(blob);
-          const a = document.createElement("a");
-          a.style.display = "none";
-          a.href = url;
-          a.download = zipName;
-          document.body.appendChild(a);
-          a.click();
-          window.URL.revokeObjectURL(url);
-          a.remove();
-          // Hide the progress modal after download starts
-          document.getElementById("downloadProgressModal").style.display = "none";
-          showToast("Download started.");
-        })
-        .catch(error => {
-          // Hide the progress modal on error
-          document.getElementById("downloadProgressModal").style.display = "none";
-          console.error("Error downloading zip:", error);
-          showToast("Error downloading selected files as zip: " + error.message);
+
+      // b) Hide the name‐input modal, show the spinner modal
+      zipNameModal.style.display      = "none";
+      progressModal.style.display     = "block";
+
+      // c) (Optional) update the “Preparing…” text if you gave it an ID
+      const titleEl = document.getElementById("downloadProgressTitle");
+      if (titleEl) titleEl.textContent = `Preparing ${zipName}…`;
+
+      try {
+        // d) POST and await the ZIP blob
+        const res = await fetch("/api/file/downloadZip.php", {
+          method: "POST",
+          credentials: "include",
+          headers: {
+            "Content-Type": "application/json",
+            "X-CSRF-Token":  window.csrfToken
+          },
+          body: JSON.stringify({
+            folder: window.currentFolder || "root",
+            files:  window.filesToDownload
+          })
         });
+        if (!res.ok) {
+          const txt = await res.text();
+          throw new Error(txt || `Status ${res.status}`);
+        }
+
+        const blob = await res.blob();
+        if (!blob || blob.size === 0) {
+          throw new Error("Received empty ZIP file.");
+        }
+
+        // e) Hand off to the browser’s download manager
+        const url = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
+        const a   = document.createElement("a");
+        a.href     = url;
+        a.download = zipName;
+        document.body.appendChild(a);
+        a.click();
+        URL.revokeObjectURL(url);
+        a.remove();
+
+      } catch (err) {
+        console.error("Error downloading ZIP:", err);
+        showToast("Error: " + err.message);
+      } finally {
+        // f) Always hide spinner modal
+        progressModal.style.display = "none";
+      }
     });
   }
 });
diff --git a/public/js/i18n.js b/public/js/i18n.js
index 66cb7e7..5c1dc19 100644
--- a/public/js/i18n.js
+++ b/public/js/i18n.js
@@ -176,6 +176,8 @@ const translations = {
     // Dark Mode Toggle
     "dark_mode_toggle": "Dark Mode",
     "light_mode_toggle": "Light Mode",
+    "switch_to_light_mode": "Switch to light mode",
+    "switch_to_dark_mode": "Switch to dark mode",
 
     // NEW KEYS ADDED FOR ADMIN, USER PANELS, AND TOTP MODALS:
     "admin_panel": "Admin Panel",
diff --git a/public/js/main.js b/public/js/main.js
index e1e1043..5dc9b3a 100644
--- a/public/js/main.js
+++ b/public/js/main.js
@@ -118,48 +118,55 @@ document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function () {
 
     // --- Dark Mode Persistence ---
     const darkModeToggle = document.getElementById("darkModeToggle");
-    const storedDarkMode = localStorage.getItem("darkMode");
+    const darkModeIcon = document.getElementById("darkModeIcon");
 
-    if (storedDarkMode === "true") {
-      document.body.classList.add("dark-mode");
-    } else if (storedDarkMode === "false") {
-      document.body.classList.remove("dark-mode");
-    } else {
-      if (window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia("(prefers-color-scheme: dark)").matches) {
-        document.body.classList.add("dark-mode");
-      } else {
-        document.body.classList.remove("dark-mode");
+    if (darkModeToggle && darkModeIcon) {
+      // 1) Load stored preference (or null)
+      let stored = localStorage.getItem("darkMode");
+      const hasStored = stored !== null;
+
+      // 2) Determine initial mode
+      const isDark = hasStored
+        ? (stored === "true")
+        : (window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia("(prefers-color-scheme: dark)").matches);
+
+      document.body.classList.toggle("dark-mode", isDark);
+      darkModeToggle.classList.toggle("active", isDark);
+
+      // 3) Helper to update icon & aria-label
+      function updateIcon() {
+        const dark = document.body.classList.contains("dark-mode");
+        darkModeIcon.textContent = dark ? "light_mode" : "dark_mode";
+        darkModeToggle.setAttribute(
+          "aria-label",
+          dark ? t("light_mode") : t("dark_mode")
+        );
+        darkModeToggle.setAttribute(
+          "title",
+          dark
+            ? t("switch_to_light_mode")
+            : t("switch_to_dark_mode")
+        );
       }
-    }
 
-    if (darkModeToggle) {
-      darkModeToggle.textContent = document.body.classList.contains("dark-mode")
-        ? t("light_mode")
-        : t("dark_mode");
+      updateIcon();
 
-      darkModeToggle.addEventListener("click", function () {
-        if (document.body.classList.contains("dark-mode")) {
-          document.body.classList.remove("dark-mode");
-          localStorage.setItem("darkMode", "false");
-          darkModeToggle.textContent = t("dark_mode");
-        } else {
-          document.body.classList.add("dark-mode");
-          localStorage.setItem("darkMode", "true");
-          darkModeToggle.textContent = t("light_mode");
-        }
+      // 4) Click handler: always override and store preference
+      darkModeToggle.addEventListener("click", () => {
+        const nowDark = document.body.classList.toggle("dark-mode");
+        localStorage.setItem("darkMode", nowDark ? "true" : "false");
+        updateIcon();
       });
-    }
 
-    if (localStorage.getItem("darkMode") === null && window.matchMedia) {
-      window.matchMedia("(prefers-color-scheme: dark)").addEventListener("change", (event) => {
-        if (event.matches) {
-          document.body.classList.add("dark-mode");
-          if (darkModeToggle) darkModeToggle.textContent = t("light_mode");
-        } else {
-          document.body.classList.remove("dark-mode");
-          if (darkModeToggle) darkModeToggle.textContent = t("dark_mode");
-        }
-      });
+      // 5) OS‐level change: only if no stored pref at load
+      if (!hasStored && window.matchMedia) {
+        window
+          .matchMedia("(prefers-color-scheme: dark)")
+          .addEventListener("change", e => {
+            document.body.classList.toggle("dark-mode", e.matches);
+            updateIcon();
+          });
+      }
     }
     // --- End Dark Mode Persistence ---