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Just updated, and now previously (yesterday) downloaded pdfs won't open file or folder

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Firefox just updated this am. Now, my previously downloaded pdfs will not open. When I click on downloads, they show, but 'open file location' is greyed out (and nothing happens if I click) and the file won't open. ALL settings to open using default pdf editor are set correctly to the same program.

Firefox just updated this am. Now, my previously downloaded pdfs will not open. When I click on downloads, they show, but 'open file location' is greyed out (and nothing happens if I click) and the file won't open. ALL settings to open using default pdf editor are set correctly to the same program.

All Replies (8)

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Hi, please try : uninstall Firefox. Then Delete the Mozilla Firefox Folders in C:\Program Files , C:\Program Files(x86) & C:\ProgramData Then restart system. Then run Windows Disk Cleanup. (Note: This should be Pinned and run Weekly, If never done below expect 10's of gig's) Then run it again and click the button that says Cleanup System Files. Note: your Firefox Profile is saved. But you should make a back up before you do :

Reinstall with Current Release Firefox 59.0.1 with a Full Version Installer

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

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Hi kaylaartist, usually when the folder icon is grayed on the downloads list, it means the file is no longer in the place you originally downloaded it to, so Firefox can't open the folder containing it.

In that case, you may need to track down the current location in a different way, such as searching in Windows Explorer.

Do you usually save your downloads to the same place every time?

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The solution by Pkshadow seems to be a great deal of work that will not return my downloads. I am not going to do all of that. I don't have the time, I am MORE afraid of losing stuff. I run cccleaner and I fail to see how that will do anything. No offense. Jscher2000, in answer to your question, I have tried to find the files and cannot. I do not know where they are as entering the name of the file in explorer turns up nothing. and they are (were)in the download folder because that's where I download them to unless and until I send or copy them elsewhere. So what happened to my downloads? It seems the last download showing in my folder is from Mar 13. any PDF downloaded afterwards are gone. So, where do I find them?

Modified by kaylaartist

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Hi kaylaartist, is it possible your download folder setting in Firefox changed? Do new downloads still save in the same folder? In another thread, a user said their download folder changed to OneDrive, but I don't know if that has happened to you or anyone else or what might cause it.

You can check your current download folder on the Options page:

  • Windows: "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options
  • Mac: "3-bar" menu button (or Firefox menu) > Preferences
  • Linux: "3-bar" menu button (or Edit menu) > Preferences
  • Any system: type or paste about:preferences into the address bar and press Enter/Return to load it

Scroll down to the Files and Applications section; the first setting is the default download folder.

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Nothing changed. I had downloads set to go to 'downloads'. Since I did a reinstall, I now have it set to 'ask every time". The PDFs between Mar 10 and today say file 'moved or missing'. They are missing. they are nowhere. Now I have lost some. Since the update. The last FF update really messed things up, including this. You should be sure to test these thoroughly before putting out there to the general public. Now, I have lost some important documents! Unless you can provide me with a method to get them back, your fault.

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Oh, BTW, when I went to the documents folder, there were over 20 telling me how to scan in French!!! But not MY files. WTH did you guys do???

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Hi kaylaartist, as far as I know, Firefox for Windows does not remove downloaded files, even if you were to clear your download history in Firefox. (Files that you "Open" instead of "Save" are stored in the Windows Temp folder, so those are subject to removal by Windows.)

If the missing PDFs are not in the Windows Recycle Bin, try using an "unerase" program like Recuva to see whether you can get any of them back:

http://www.piriform.com/recuva

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Thanks. I will try that.