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When I download a file in Firefox opened in XP Mode on W7, I cannot 'Open Containing Folder'

Midnight_Voice
Midnight_Voice
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I have Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, and because my mail software only runs on 32-bit, I use the XP Mode in this W7. In XP Mode, you can click icons on the desktop for your software in the XP VM, and I do this with the mail software.

If I receive an attachment, and view it in Firefox, it opens the copy of Firefox installed in the XP VM to do this. If I then use this copy of Firefox to download something, it downloads fine, and I can install it in the XP VM if I wish, but if I want to install it in the W7 itself, I click on 'Open Containing Folder', intending to copy it.

However, nothing happens. No error, but nothing opens. The option is not grayed out at all, but does no do anything.

Investigation shows that Firefox has downloaded the file, but it is not in the .VHD, but rather in W7's OS (C:)/ Users/ MV/ My Documents/ Downloads on the regular W7 C: drive.

Files downloaded directly under W7 go into OS (C:)/ Users/ MV/ Downloads, however, and these can be found OK with 'Open Containing Folder'.

Files downloaded if I fully open XP Mode, instead of just running 'XP' programs from the W7 desktop, go into C:\Documents and Settings\XPMUser\My Documents\Downloads in the .VHD, and these can likewise be found with 'Open Containing Folder'.

It's just the one from Firefox opened by an XP Mode program run from the W7 desktop.

I have Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, and because my mail software only runs on 32-bit, I use the XP Mode in this W7. In XP Mode, you can click icons on the desktop for your software in the XP VM, and I do this with the mail software. If I receive an attachment, and view it in Firefox, it opens the copy of Firefox installed in the XP VM to do this. If I then use this copy of Firefox to download something, it downloads fine, and I can install it in the XP VM if I wish, but if I want to install it in the W7 itself, I click on 'Open Containing Folder', intending to copy it. However, nothing happens. No error, but nothing opens. The option is not grayed out at all, but does no do anything. Investigation shows that Firefox has downloaded the file, but it is not in the .VHD, but rather in W7's OS (C:)/ Users/ MV/ My Documents/ Downloads on the regular W7 C: drive. Files downloaded directly under W7 go into OS (C:)/ Users/ MV/ Downloads, however, and these can be found OK with 'Open Containing Folder'. Files downloaded if I fully open XP Mode, instead of just running 'XP' programs from the W7 desktop, go into C:\Documents and Settings\XPMUser\My Documents\Downloads in the .VHD, and these can likewise be found with 'Open Containing Folder'. It's just the one from Firefox opened by an XP Mode program run from the W7 desktop.

All Replies (2)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Confusing.

When you start Firefox from your Windows 7 desktop, it sounds as though it is using the settings in your Firefox profile that's in your Windows 7 user folder, even though you are virtualizing it. Probably you can confirm this if you have customized your Windows 7 Firefox differently than your XPMUser Firefox.

I'm not sure of the best workaround for this. In theory you might be able to create a desktop shortcut that points specifically to your XPMUser profile folder and launch that one in XP Mode, but I haven't tested this idea. (I find XP Mode agonizingly slow to start up, so I rarely use it.)

To specify a profile by path on the command line, see this article: https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Mozilla/Command_Line_Options#-profile_.22.2Fpath.2Fto.2Fprofile.22

Modified by jscher2000 - Support Volunteer

Midnight_Voice
Midnight_Voice Question owner
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@jscher2000

Thanks for your reply. I agree that the path chosen by 'XP Mode Firefox on the W7 Desktop' looks like the W7 analogue of the path chosen by 'XP Mode Firefox running in Full XP Mode'.

And I agree it's confusing. Not least since we are talking about 'only' two Firefoxes, but running in three different ways here, each using a different download location.

And it's perhaps worth making the point that it's the 'XP' Firefox behaving in two different ways here depending on how exactly it gets launched.

But the key issue is perhaps not so much what these three download locations are, or how to change them, as that 'XP Mode Firefox on the W7 Desktop' puts the download files in one of these locations, can open the files from this location for installation, but apparently can't find that location when asked to 'Open Containing Folder'.

Which makes me think that either this Firefox is using a different rule when asked to find the containing folder from that used when it is asked to open the downloaded file, or it is having trouble under these circumstances with whatever is supposed to show that folder (probably the Windows (not IE) Explorer process?)

But trouble that Firefox either does not detect, or that it gives no feedback on.

I'll use that helpful link you gave to check profiles,though, and report back further.

Modified by Midnight_Voice