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Firefox saves all downloads not under original filename, but as 'download1, download2 etc.' without extension; new problem.

  • 8 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 69 views
  • Last reply by jackem

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I'm a long-time Firefox user going right back to your early days, but have just encountered a brand new issue that I cannot find a solution to.

When I want to download a file, instead of saving it under the original file type (e.g. jpeg, pdf etc.) with the original filename, allowing me to easily access it in my designated downloads folder and open it, Firefox now saves it with a filenames of 'download1', 'download2' etc, without an extension.

Because there is no extension, I now have to tell Windows what program I want to use to open that file, and its original name is lost, so I have to rename it.

What happened? How did this weird downloading system start about 2 days ago after more than a decade of perfect downloading? I probably clicked something by accident, but what? Can anyone advise a fix?

I'm a long-time Firefox user going right back to your early days, but have just encountered a brand new issue that I cannot find a solution to. When I want to download a file, instead of saving it under the original file type (e.g. jpeg, pdf etc.) with the original filename, allowing me to easily access it in my designated downloads folder and open it, Firefox now saves it with a filenames of 'download1', 'download2' etc, without an extension. Because there is no extension, I now have to tell Windows what program I want to use to open that file, and its original name is lost, so I have to rename it. What happened? How did this weird downloading system start about 2 days ago after more than a decade of perfect downloading? I probably clicked something by accident, but what? Can anyone advise a fix?

Chosen solution

It could be the work of one of your add-ons, or it could be Hardware Acceleration. How to disable Hardware Acceleration {web link}

Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control> (Mac=<Command>) <Shift> A)

In the Add-ons Manager, on the left, select Extensions. Disable a few add-ons, then Restart Firefox.

Some added toolbar and anti-virus add-ons are known to cause Firefox issues. Disable All Of them.

If the problem continues, disable some more (restarting FF). Continue until the problem is gone. After, you know what group is causing the issue. Re-enable the last group ONE AT A TIME (restarting FF) until the problem returns.

Once you think you found the problem, disable that and re-enable all the others, then restart again. Let us know who the suspect is, detective.

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All Replies (8)

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Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} by holding down the <Shift> (Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox.

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?


Start your Computer in safe mode with network support. Then start Firefox. Try Safe websites. Is the problem still there?

http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Linux+Safe+Mode Starting Any Computer In Safe Mode; Free Online Encyclopedia

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Thanks FredMcD.

Everything worked fine in Safe mode, and when I exited and re-opened Firefox in normal mode, everything was working properly once more. Previously I did have a lot of tabs open - perhaps one was interfering somehow.

Anyway, problem solved - many thanks!

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Oops - I wrote too soon. Using one of my regular websites, downloads occur normally in Firefox safe mode (i.e. a PDF is saved as a PDF with its full filename). But starting Firefox in normal mode, that same file gets saved as Download12, with no extension.

jackem

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Chosen Solution

It could be the work of one of your add-ons, or it could be Hardware Acceleration. How to disable Hardware Acceleration {web link}

Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control> (Mac=<Command>) <Shift> A)

In the Add-ons Manager, on the left, select Extensions. Disable a few add-ons, then Restart Firefox.

Some added toolbar and anti-virus add-ons are known to cause Firefox issues. Disable All Of them.

If the problem continues, disable some more (restarting FF). Continue until the problem is gone. After, you know what group is causing the issue. Re-enable the last group ONE AT A TIME (restarting FF) until the problem returns.

Once you think you found the problem, disable that and re-enable all the others, then restart again. Let us know who the suspect is, detective.

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This time the issue is solved for good - thanks for the advice. The first app I looked at was Ninja Download Manager, which I have been using for some time, without problems.

Disabling it in Firefox solved the issue.

Many Thanks!

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Good work. Contact its support and ask about this.

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Hello jackem !

I have the exact same problem that you have... It usually occurs when I download a file requiring to log-in (from a forum e.g.). I had to disable NDM plug-in but it's not a satisfying solution right?

I figured out how to disable the auto capture download of NDM: this way, you can choose when you want to download the file through NDM. To do that, you just have to open NinjaDownloadMAnager (the software, not the plugin), click on settings (the little gear), Monitor and untick Capture Downloads from all browsers/Mozilla Firefox. Now, if you want to download a file with NDM, you'll just have to right-click the link and choose NDM, otherwise it will be download with Firefox, the good old way!

I hope it will help!!!!

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Thanks for the suggestion, StarPlatinium. I'll tweak NDM as you suggested.