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

Mulongo oyo etiyamaki na archive. Tuna motuna mosusu soki osengeli na lisalisi

Firefox changes "(" to "%28" in download filenames. IE does not. How to fix?

  • 2 biyano
  • 1 eza na nkokoso oyo
  • 3 views
  • Eyano yasuka ya texas500

texas500
texas500
more options

When I download a file from a web site: Example ----- file (test) number1.pdf Using IE, the downloaded file is named --------------------- file (test) number1.pdf Using Firefox (36.0.1) the downloaded file is named --- file %28test%29 number1.pdf

Is there any way to configure FF to retain literal file names when downloading? I understand the historical reasons behind substitution, but am surprised I can't configure this.

When I download a file from a web site: Example ----- file (test) number1.pdf Using IE, the downloaded file is named --------------------- file (test) number1.pdf Using Firefox (36.0.1) the downloaded file is named --- file %28test%29 number1.pdf Is there any way to configure FF to retain literal file names when downloading? I understand the historical reasons behind substitution, but am surprised I can't configure this.

All Replies (2)

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

I think that this should work normally. You would only get the parentheses and other reserved characters escaped if you copy as link from the location/address bar. This shouldn't happen when saving a file. How are these files send?

You can use the Live Http Headers to check this:

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.

  • Switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance
  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window
texas500
texas500 Nkolo motuna
more options

Okay, I'm starting to understand the problem a little.

Starting/running in safe mode had no affect on the problem. Bit I figured out that what I was copying/downloading WAS indeed a link to a file. If I first opened a file (a PDF) it would show its name with %28 (etc). But, if in Adobe Reader I did a 'Save As', the parentheses in the name return.

So, I guess my real question at this point now refers to avoiding the substitution when working with links. Maybe this can't be fixed. I just find it odd that following the exact same procedure/keystrokes in IE creates local file with parentheses, while FF makes local files with substitution characters. I can go through the hassle of opening the file if it's a PDF, and doing a SaveAs. BUT, I don't have such an option when downloading/copying MP3 files (which also incur the substitute characters. SO - is this a natural byproduct of extracting the file name from the link script? (I inspected the file link and, in fact, the embedded file name IS modified.