Files are downloaded to Temp folder
My download folder is set to Downloads, but Firefox most of the time saves to Temp folder. Please fix this issue.
All Replies (14)
Can you update firefox and Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Firefox Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that temporarily turns off hardware acceleration, resets some settings, and disables add-ons (extensions and themes).
If Firefox is open, you can restart in Firefox Safe Mode from the Help menu:
- Click the menu button , click Help and select Restart with Add-ons Disabled.
If Firefox is not running, you can start Firefox in Safe Mode as follows:
- On Windows: Hold the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
- On Mac: Hold the option key while starting Firefox.
- On Linux: Quit Firefox, go to your Terminal and run firefox -safe-mode
(you may need to specify the Firefox installation path e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)
When the Firefox Safe Mode window appears, select "Start in Safe Mode".
If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, theme, or hardware acceleration. Please follow the steps in the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article to find the cause.
To exit Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.
When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help others with the same problem.
Nope! In Safe Mode, files still download to temp. This is really hilarious choice because temp folder is volatile.
Hi ! Don't know if this applies to you, but :
If you choose 'Open' instead of 'Save' in the 'Open/Save/Cancel' dialog, then Firefox will use the TEMP folder ......
Happy112 said
Hi ! Don't know if this applies to you, but : If you choose 'Open' instead of 'Save' in the 'Open/Save/Cancel' dialog, then Firefox will use the TEMP folder ......
That's the point, it shouldn't.
FYI, it has to download the file somewhere in order to open it. Even this webpage gets downloaded to your computer before you can view it.
But the thing is, i WANT to download a file, but I don't want it in Temp.
If it is a pdf that is opened by firefox and saved in Temp, you can just save the pdf in the viewer and it will copy it to the right place or setup firefox to open it using an external program in Preferences->Application. You can then save it accordingly without downloading it again.
@PiotrGrochowski :
You said :
" My download folder is set to Downloads, but Firefox most of the time saves to Temp folder "
Would you please take a look at the article :
Hi PiotrGrochowski, I'm not sure which option you are choosing in the download dialog:
- "Open" => the file is only saved in the TEMP folder
- "Save" => the file should be moved from TEMP to Downloads upon completion
If you want the file in Downloads, and you want to open it immediately, then the option built into Firefox is to choose Save, then once you see the animation of the Downloads arrow on the toolbar, click the button to drop down the panel and click on the saved file to launch it in your preferred application for that type of file.
Both "Open" and "Save" should download to selected folder. Otherwise, it's confusing. Also, I think temp is hilarious choice for downloads, because this folder is unstable.
PiotrGrochowski said
Both "Open" and "Save" should download to selected folder. Otherwise, it's confusing.
For what it's worth (my personal opinion) : I think you're right. It shouldn't matter whether you choose 'Open' or 'Save' - you should be able to always directly find the file in the folder you selected here : Options => General tab => under 'Downloads'.
I’m not sure what Temp folder you refer to, as there are several in Windows.
Nevertheless, please have a look at the What to do if you can't download or save files article and look for "Reset download actions for all file types". You might need to reset your download actions by removing the mimeTypes.rdf file in your profile. It is worth reading the other parts of that article too.
If that doesn’t help, temporarily disable your antivirus/security software. That software may interfere with the download location specified/used by Firefox. If so, re-enable it and apply a change for the folder in that software if possible.
If that doesn’t work, have a look at this and this question.
Edit: note that mimeTypes.rdf has been migrated to handlers.json in Firefox 55, in case you have upgraded.
Modified
PiotrGrochowski said
Both "Open" and "Save" should download to selected folder. Otherwise, it's confusing.
Here in support we work with the Firefox we have today. You can submit new feature suggestions on the input site:
Firefox immediately starts downloading a file in the background and saves the file to the temp folder and doesn't wait until you specify the name and the location (destination folder). If the file stays in the temp folder then it is possible that your security software is blocking the file and prevents Firefox from moving the file to the specified destination folder.
It is possible that security software (anti-virus, firewall) is causing the problem. Try to disable security software temporarily to see whether that makes a difference.