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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

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

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by 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 Question owner
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.