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Firefox doesn't remember the last used download directory that I saved to when it restarts!

  • 8 replies
  • 78 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by offerix

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Even when I have firefox set to ask me where to save files, it's default location is still the folder selected under "download options", instead of the last location I saved to.

I suspect that this has something to do with the "download.lastdir" option in "about:config", which disappears everytime it's restarted and only appears when I have saved a file before checking on it.

Firefox used to remember the last location in which a file was saved. This was simpler and more convenient.

Is there a way to solve this problem?

This happened

Every time Firefox opened

== I installed version 3.6.6

Even when I have firefox set to ask me where to save files, it's default location is still the folder selected under "download options", instead of the last location I saved to. I suspect that this has something to do with the "download.lastdir" option in "about:config", which disappears everytime it's restarted and only appears when I have saved a file before checking on it. Firefox used to remember the last location in which a file was saved. This was simpler and more convenient. Is there a way to solve this problem? == This happened == Every time Firefox opened == I installed version 3.6.6

All Replies (8)

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The same things here (Windows XP SP3). And, by the way, default download folder resets everytime when I update my FireFox to the new version - it's very annoying.

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Actually the default "Download" Folder starts being created again everytime you change a setting.

It's really irritating to have to reset that EVERYTIME I change an "options" setting.

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Same problem on Win XP SP3. Not sure, but seems to have started after the update to v3.6.6. Hope, some fixes this very soon!

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'Clear Recent History' resets 'browser.download.lastDir' in about:config, if 'Browsing and Download History' in 'Clear Recent History' is checked. I think this has changed in comparison to earlier versions. If 'Clear history when Firefox closes' is checked, this will reset 'browser.download.lastDir' everytime Firefox is terminated. One (inconvenient) solution seems to be to uncheck 'Browsing and Download History' in 'Clear Recent History' and clear the History/Downloads via Ctrl+H, select all items, delete them and then close Firefox (as back/forward navigation is still possible!). This will leave 'browser.download.lastDir' untouched and clear the browsing/downloads history. The Idea behind this new Firefox behaviour is understandable, but realisation is more than poor. The user should not be patronised, there should be an additional check box 'Clear LastDir' in 'Clear Recent History'.

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Thanks for the hint - I started to look for a logical reason for Firefox not remembering last save path.

I believe last save path should not be cleared, since it is a reference to look for your files in case you forgot where you saved (and don't want to try save something else or clueless).

Next - browser.download.dir must always be populated and not clear so the option browser.download.useDownloadDir will trigger using that directly or asking where to save next, populating a new download dir.

Also, it may be helpful to place a new button "open download dir" in the Downloads window to open the browser.download.dir in the file system.

hope someone reads and will contribute to next version :) cheers!

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The problem specifically is, there should be SEPARATE OPTIONS for WHAT was downloaded AND WHERE the last download was, so each person can placate their own special brand of paranoia

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Deleting "browser.download.lastDir" makes firefox unusable. It's very annoying. I'm sick of the update to 3.6. It's getting worse with each minor update. Hour after hour researching about this odd behavior sucks!

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Re: Downloading files ....

"Always ask me where to save files" - not working here either with 3.6.8

Hope there's a solution soon, performed as expected up to 3.6.3

XP SP2

Modified by offerix