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Why Can't I Download Files to Download Directory from some websites?

  • 4 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

KenyxKhanani
KenyxKhanani
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There are certain sites (for example www.winamp.com) that I *can't* download any files to my "C:\Users\[Username]\Downloads" Directory. I am running Windows 7 Prof. SP1.

Yet Some sites (for example www.microsoft.com) work fine. In fact, almost *all* sites work fine.

I get the error: "[file] could not be saved, because you cannot change the contents of that folder. Change the folder properties and try again, or try saving in a different location."

This is my personal laptop. I'm the only user. I'm the administrator.

Also, for some reason, Firefox has saved almost all of my downloads one directory *up* from the downloads folder.

In fact, I can't save EXE files *anywhere* now.

There are certain sites (for example www.winamp.com) that I *can't* download any files to my "C:\Users\[Username]\Downloads" Directory. I am running Windows 7 Prof. SP1. Yet Some sites (for example www.microsoft.com) work fine. In fact, almost *all* sites work fine. I get the error: "[file] could not be saved, because you cannot change the contents of that folder. Change the folder properties and try again, or try saving in a different location." This is my personal laptop. I'm the only user. I'm the administrator. Also, for some reason, Firefox has saved almost all of my downloads one directory *up* from the downloads folder. In fact, I can't save EXE files *anywhere* now.

Modified by KenyxKhanani

All Replies (4)

KenyxKhanani
KenyxKhanani Question owner
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I just used Chrome to download the file and it had absolutely no problem.What gives? I *hate* Chrome.

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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It is possible that your anti-virus software is corrupting the downloaded files or otherwise interfering with downloading files.
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"

KenyxKhanani
KenyxKhanani Question owner
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I tried that. Turned off Norton & Ad-aware. Before that made sure my firewall had Firefox set to "Allow".

Interesting note, though: it's impossible to download this file. It just get's removed. I know that sounds like anti-virus or anti-spyware, but I had them both shut down. Both IE & Chrome it would say "download finished," but the file was not there, and it showed that it had been "removed" by the browser. And, I mean if *Chrome* is removing it, somethings wrong.

cor-el
cor-el
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  • Top 10 Contributor
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Firefox or other browser wouldn't download a file and then remove it.

Firefox immediately starts downloading in the background to the %temp% folder if you click a link to open the download dialog to save the file. If AV software is preventing Firefox from finishing the download properly and move the file to the specified destination folder then you won't see the file.

Note that when you disable AV software then you may only disable its user interface, but the actual service may still be running in the background.