Where to find and manage downloaded files in Firefox
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- Creator: Jan.
- Comment: icons for "How can I manage my downloaded files?"
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The Downloads window keeps track of files you download while using Firefox, including files you open and save to your computer. This article describes what information is displayed, how to access the Downloads window, manage files within it, and set downloading optionspreferences.
The Downloads panel and your Library keep track of files you download while using Firefox, including files you open and save to your computer. This article describes what information is displayed, how to access your downloads, manage your files, and set downloading optionspreferences.
Table of Contents
How do I access my Downloads?
The Downloads window will open when you download a file (that setting can be changed in the OptionsPreferences window - General panel). You can also access the Downloads window as follows:
The downloads icon--a down arrow in the navigation bar next to the Home icon-- will flash green to alert you when you begin downloading a file. Click this icon to show your three most recently downloaded files in a small panel.
You can access your larger Library of all downloaded files as follows:
- Click the downloads icon, then click , or
- Click on the button ( menu in Windows XP), and then click Click on the menu, and then click Click on the , menu, and then click
or
- Press Ctrl + JCtrl + Shift + Ycommand + J, or
- Click the Downloads button, if you've got it shown in one of your toolbars (see Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars).
What does the Downloads window display?
The Downloads window displays information about each download, such as the file name, file size, time remaining before the download is complete, where the file was downloaded from, and the time or date of the download.
What do the Downloads panel and Library display?
The Downloads panel displays information about the last three files you downloaded, such as the file name, file size, time remaining before the download is complete, where the file was downloaded from, and the time or date of the download.
The Library displays this information for all of your downloaded files, unless you've removed them from your History.
How can I manage my downloaded files?
The Downloads window keeps convenient download actions easily accessible for each of your downloads:
In the Downloads panel and in your Library, there is an icon button to the right of each file entry that changes with which part of the download process your file is currently in.
- Pause: You can pause any downloads currently in progress by clicking the Pause button beside the file entry. This may be useful, for example, if you need to open a small download started after a large download. Pausing downloads gives you the choice to decide which of your downloads are most important. When you want to continue downloading those files, simply use the Resume button to finish those downloads.
- Pause: You can pause any downloads currently in progress by right-clickingpressing Ctrl and clicking on the file entry and selecting . This may be useful, for example, if you need to open a small download started after a large download. Pausing downloads gives you the choice to decide which of your downloads are most important. When you want to continue downloading those files, right-clickpress Ctrl and click the file entry and select .
- Cancel : If after starting a download you decide you no longer need that file, canceling the download is simple: just use the Cancel button beside that file entry to cancel it and free up your connection for your browsing and other downloads.
- Cancel : If after starting a download you decide you no longer need that file, canceling the download is simple: just click the X button at the right of the file entry. This button turns into a refresh symbol; click again to restart your download.
- Open the file: When a download has finished, you can double-click on the entry to open the file.
- Open the file: When a download has finished, you can click on the entry to open the file.
- Open the file's folder: Right-clickHold down the control key while you click on an entry for a file that has finished downloading and select . To set the folder, see below.
- Open the file's folder : Once a file has finished downloading, the icon to the right of the file entry becomes a folder. Click this folder icon to open that file's containing folder. To set the folder, see below.
- Remove the file's entry: If you do not wish to keep a record of a particular download, simply right-clickpress Ctrl and click the file entry, then select . This will remove the entry from the list but will not delete the file itself.
- Remove the file's entry: If you do not wish to keep a record of a particular download, simply right-clickpress Ctrl and click the file entry, then select . This will remove the entry from the list but will not delete the file itself.
- Retry a Download: If for any reason a download does not complete, use the Retry button next to the file entry and Firefox will restart the download for you.
- Retry a Download : If for any reason a download does not complete, click the button to the right of the entry--a refresh symbol--to retry.
- Clear all files: Right-clickHold down the control key while you click on any file's entry and select .
You can also clear the whole list by clicking the
button at the bottom of the window. This will not delete the downloaded files.
Downloads optionspreferences
You can change several download optionspreferences, such as the folder where files are saved and whether to keep the Downloads window open or close it after the download is complete, in your Firefox optionspreferences. For more information, see OptionsPreferences window - General panel.