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Auto-open .exe files

  • 7 replies
  • 8 have this problem
  • 150 views
  • Last reply by James

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It's not a problem, but it's a question. Why firefox doesn´t allow the option to open .exe files automatically when the download finishes?

It's not a problem, but it's a question. Why firefox doesn´t allow the option to open .exe files automatically when the download finishes?

Chosen solution

EarnHeart, I already mentioned this extension two months ago.

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See that your antivirus settings is done welly. Sometime it configured to check after download. So stop that Firefox will open the .exe files...

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No, that isn´t what I mean.

I want three buttons on a .exe download: -Open/Run -Save File -Cancel

Why firefox doesn´t add the Run option?

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I'm sure its a security risk for users, especially if the "Do this automatically for files like this from now on" is selected. imagine the scenario where a popup ad automatically redirects you to a download link for a malicious "EXE" file, even with a pop up for a "Run" option users might accidently hit the Enter key by accident (say they weren't expecting that dialog to pop up) which would run the program if that option were preselected.

Forcing people to save before running would prevent situations like that from happening.

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For security and also for common sense. Unless they really trust the source and .exe like say Firefox from www.mozilla.org, one should scan it before running it.

Also who do you think people would blame if they were to run a iamreallyatrojan.exe and got infected?. Mozilla or themselves?

If you really still want to have this then there is the OpenDownload² extension. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/opendownload-10902/

Do be careful if you change it in extension from the default download folder where it saves then runs as it will delete everything in folder after.

Modified by James

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I understand this, but it won't be a security risk if Mozilla doesn´t add the "Remember this action" box.

And... you need to wait about 2 seconds before Firefox allows you to save or open a file.

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To Rodrigo - go to your Add-ons Manager and type OpenDownload2 in the search bar.

This extension was created by Tuxman with help from Jeremy Gillick (he created Open Download back in 2007). It has been made to be compatible with recent Firefox versions (Yay!)

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Chosen Solution

EarnHeart, I already mentioned this extension two months ago.