We're calling on all EU-based Mozillians with iOS or iPadOS devices to help us monitor Apple’s new browser choice screens. Join the effort to hold Big Tech to account!

This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

When I download certain files(most often exe files), I'm not able to open the source folder anymore when the download is complete.

more options

When I download certain files(most often exe files), I'm not able to open the source folder anymore when the download is complete. Neither can I execute the exe file. It often forces me to redownload the file in google chrome and then I go to the source folder and right click properties and I have to unblock the file. Only then I'm able to start the exe file.

FYI: I use vista, so that might be the problem by itself...

When I download certain files(most often exe files), I'm not able to open the source folder anymore when the download is complete. Neither can I execute the exe file. It often forces me to redownload the file in google chrome and then I go to the source folder and right click properties and I have to unblock the file. Only then I'm able to start the exe file. FYI: I use vista, so that might be the problem by itself...

All Replies (2)

more options

It is possible that your anti-virus software is corrupting the downloaded files or otherwise interfering with downloading files by Firefox.

Try to disable the real-time (live) scanning of files in your anti-virus software temporarily to see if that makes downloading work.

See "Disable virus scanning in Firefox preferences - Windows"

more options

I tried disabling browser.download.manager.ScanWhenDone and it did solve the problem when downloading a single file. I did re-enable it afterwards, because I do like my downloads to be scanned automatically. Is there a way to set up my FF so it still scans my downloads and I'm able to download and execute exe files? PS: Thanks for helping me on such short notice!

Modified by Rogier Delporte