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.

Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Fixing the new way of opening files

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 8 views
  • Last reply by Terry

Cryosleeper
Cryosleeper
more options

Hello,

Starting Firefox 97, opening a file involves downloading it the same way as if I choose to save it. It results in both Download folder and downloads list in the browser being polluted with a million of files I only wanted to open once with a specific app (pdfs, xls, m3u etc.).

Previously Firefox was using a hidden internal folder for saving such files and deleting them later, so Open In App really meant "open, do not save locally". Now any option just means "Save the file to the Download folder and let it be there forever".

How can I fix this unsuccessful UX decision apart from downgrading to an older version?

Thank you.

P.S. "If you dislike new features in the latest version of Firefox, your first reaction might be to go back to the previous version. Rather than downgrading, try getting used to the new features..." is probably the worst suggestion you can possibly give to someone with their workflow broken by a sudden update they can't decline with a feature they never asked for.

Hello, Starting Firefox 97, opening a file involves downloading it the same way as if I choose to save it. It results in both Download folder and downloads list in the browser being polluted with a million of files I only wanted to open once with a specific app (pdfs, xls, m3u etc.). Previously Firefox was using a hidden internal folder for saving such files and deleting them later, so Open In App really meant "open, do not save locally". Now any option just means "Save the file to the Download folder and let it be there forever". How can I fix this unsuccessful UX decision apart from downgrading to an older version? Thank you. P.S. "If you dislike new features in the latest version of Firefox, your first reaction might be to go back to the previous version. Rather than downgrading, try getting used to the new features..." is probably the worst suggestion you can possibly give to someone with their workflow broken by a sudden update they can't decline with a feature they never asked for.

All Replies (3)

Terry
Terry
more options

If you want to try upgrading to an older version, you may need to do some research. Evidently, you can have problems with a file compatibility.ini. It would help if you had a backup of your profile folder which predates the change to version 98.

A temporary 'fix' for the problem when you only want to open a file is outlined in the thread linked here. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1370494

Cryosleeper
Cryosleeper Question owner
more options

terry21 said
If you want to try upgrading to an older version, you may need to do some research. Evidently, you can have problems with a file compatibility.ini. It would help if you had a backup of your profile folder which predates the change to version 98. A temporary 'fix' for the problem when you only want to open a file is outlined in the thread linked here. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1370494

Thank you, the config key for disabling the "improvement" seems like the closest to the old behavior so far. It still clogs the download list, but at least those files are now saved in a different folder. And looks like after restarting the browser the folder it was downloaded to gets cleaned up.

Modified by Cryosleeper

Terry
Terry
more options

I don't know whether the following applies if you are only opening a file but, if it does, the effect should be ongoing, unlike the temporary solution. The quote is from searchfox. org.

browser.download.useDownloadDir - bool True - Save files directly to the folder configured via the browser.download.folderList preference. False - Always ask the user where to save a file and default to browser.download.lastDir when displaying a folder picker dialog