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All downloads are automatically saved in the DOWNLOADS folder despite my having selected that I be asked each time where to save.

  • 6 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by James

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In the past, I used to be able to choose where to save downloads but for a while now, anything I choose to download is automatically saved in the DOWNLOADS Folder. On the "Save files to" box I was able to replace "Downloads" to "Always ask you where to save files". Nothing I do now can remove/delete the word Downloads from that box.

If you have a look at the attached image, I have ticked the "Always ask you where to save files" box which is below the "Save Files to " box but ALL downloaded files still end up in the Downloads folder.

Please note I am not tech savvy but I'm fairly good following clear instructions. Thank you in advance.

In the past, I used to be able to choose where to save downloads but for a while now, anything I choose to download is automatically saved in the DOWNLOADS Folder. On the "Save files to" box I was able to replace "Downloads" to "Always ask you where to save files". Nothing I do now can remove/delete the word Downloads from that box. If you have a look at the attached image, I have ticked the "Always ask you where to save files" box which is below the "Save Files to " box but ALL downloaded files still end up in the Downloads folder. Please note I am not tech savvy but I'm fairly good following clear instructions. Thank you in advance.
Attached screenshots

All Replies (6)

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Ignore any posts you may have seen from Dropa as the outdated information he still keeps posting mentioning the browser.download.improvements_to_download_panel Preference will NOT work as it was for Fx 98.0 to 101.0. The Preference for Fx 102.0 to current is browser.download.start_downloads_in_tmp_dir

Please be careful with all about:config changes. Please read Firefox Advanced Customization and Configuration Options and Configuration Editor for Firefox to learn more.

Modified by James

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Try changing the preference in about:config indicated in this quotation from searchfox. org to false.

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 [not a preference] when displaying a folder picker dialog.

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Thank you to everyone that responded!

I have made no changes and hope for further information as to how to proceed. I thought that in both cases the preference would show up as true which I was to change to false. Alas, it was not so.


James: When I selected the preference browser.download.start_downloads_in_tmp_dir The preference showed up as "false".


Terry: When I selected the preference browser.download.useDownloadDir - 3 lines showed up.

Line 1. The preference showed up as false (in bold type).

Line 2. (not in bold type) - services.sync.prefs.sync.browser.download.useDownloadDir - which shows up as true.

Line 3. (not in bold type) - wser.download.useDownloadDir - Boolean (selected)

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The first preference (... tmp_dir) is for those who wish to open files rather than download them. If that is your case, you should change it to true.

As for the second preference, there is nothing to do as far as lines 1 and 2 are concerned. I don't have line 3; does it relate to an extension?

In your settings under Applications, have you selected Always ask for applications you wish to download?

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Attention Terry.

Your help is much appreciated!

Re: first preference (... tmp_dir), I thought about changing this to TRUE to only open files, but decided against as a viewed file later chosen to be saved, would still end up in DOWNLOADS...

Re: second preference (browser.download.useDownloadDir) Line 1 & 2 - You replied "there is nothing to do" - so I made no changes.

Please ignore Line 3 referred to in my previous post. It showed up because I incorrectly pasted (browser.download.useDownloadDi) in the search box.

I am hopeful that the solution to my DOWNLOADS issue may be found in the information requested regarding "settings under Applications".

APPLICATIONS Choose how Firefox handles the files you download from the web or the application you use while browsing.

File types & applications ACTION vary from ... Always Ask, Save File, use settings default, open in Firefox, etc).

What should Firefox do with these files?

I have selected: Ask whether to open or save files.

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Dropa said

Here's the better fix but read before doing this and Use at Risk so know what your doing.

Again this is a outdated fix you keep copy+pasting as you still seem to not know. Your old information was for Firefox 98.0-101.0 as the Preference changed for 102.0 to current.

Your last post on this in thread was hidden due to misinformation and plagiarism due to not giving source. btw there has been a newer article than the old one you keep copying from.

Modified by James