Type about:preferences#general<enter> in the address bar. Under Downloads, set where you want the downloads to go.

You can also use; Save As to change the file name and download location.

Thank you for your reply, FredMcD,

Unfortunately, I am unable to do that!

I referred to downloads from online.

Because of the problem of setting the Download Location to Desktop being refused, I created a folder on my desktop and named it "Downloads."

I am not able to alter that manually or put anything else in the space, only items shown on the browse list.

I can choose, as you rightly point out, with an item on the computer where it is to go, like a Word Document, but not so with a download from online.

Regards,

Colin.

Hi Colin, what happens if you try to save a download to your desktop, or set the Desktop as your preferred download location? Do you get a specific error message volunteers could search to see whether it is a known issue?

Hello jscher2000,

Thanks for your reply.

This is only a problem for web downloads. Anything on the computer I can choose where it goes.

In the Firefox toolbar I go to Tools/Options/Downloads. I scroll down to “Desktop” and click on it.

A pop-up notice states “Choose Download Folder” Beneath that is a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark in it. Beside that are the words “Desktop” and beneath that is – “No object for moniker” There is no error message or anything.

Regards

Colin

Colin said

In the Firefox toolbar I go to Tools/Options/Downloads.

Just to clarify:

• Windows: "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options
• Mac: "3-bar" menu button (or Firefox menu) > Preferences
• Linux: "3-bar" menu button (or Edit menu) > Preferences
• Any system: type or paste about:preferences into the address bar and press Enter/Return to load it

On the initial "General" panel, you scroll down to the Downloads heading. Below that it says:

(X) Save Files to: [some folder] [Browse button] (_) Always ask you where to save files

I scroll down to “Desktop” and click on it.

I don't understand that part. Do you mean next to "Save files to" it already says Desktop, and yet it doesn't work?

A pop-up notice states “Choose Download Folder”

That's normal if you click the Browse button.

Beneath that is a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark in it. Beside that are the words “Desktop” and beneath that is – “No object for moniker” There is no error message or anything.

Hmm, I don't know what that is. But I have Windows 7.

To direct Firefox to your Desktop, could you try this:

Select and copy this special shortcut:

%UserProfile%\Desktop

Then click the Browse button to choose a new folder, click in the Folder name box at the bottom of the dialog, and paste the shortcut, then press Enter to load it.

The dialog should display the folders on the desktop for the currently logged in user. Desktop should appear in the Folder box and Firefox should enable the Select Folder button. Click Select Folder.

Does that work on yours?

Hello jscher2000,

I don’t think it is relevant, but I have W10 and the Lenovo is 64 bit.

On the Firefox toolbar I have from L to R, - File, Edit, View, History, Bookmarks, Tools, Help.

I left-click on Tools, and at the bottom of the drop-down list I left click on Options.

I select General, and scroll down past – Startup, Homepage, Tabs, Language and Appearance, until the next one which is Files and Applications.

The first one under this heading is “Downloads.”

There are two options, the first is ”Save files to” followed by a space in which the chosen location is entered and a Browse button on the end at the right. This is where I am not able to choose Desktop when I go to browse. This is also when the pop-up notice that I previously described appears.

It appears that my only choice is to click on the second option which is – “Always ask where to save files.”

I can do this, but being well past my sell-by-date, I am lazy and would far prefer to just click on “Download” and the item downloads onto my desktop and I can deal with it from there! This is what I have been doing for many years, and as it has just stopped I thought I would come to the forum and get some help!

Never mind, I shall take option No. 2!! But my curiosity is aroused as to why not being able to download to my desktop any longer should suddenly have started. With all my bad experiences with Google, I half believe that it is owned by and controlled by Google!! But I jest!

Thanks to you and everyone who has posted to my question. I hope I don’t have to return, but my technical ability and the fact that I use this laptop means that it will be inevitable!

Regards

Colin.

I use "Always Ask" because there is a mix of work and personal stuff I need to save in different places. Each person's needs are different.

Colin said

There are two options, the first is ”Save files to” followed by a space in which the chosen location is entered and a Browse button on the end at the right. This is where I am not able to choose Desktop when I go to browse. This is also when the pop-up notice that I previously described appears.

Yes, this is the Browse button where I suggested using the "shortcut" to point Windows to the Desktop. I composited two screenshots together showing where I mean for it to be pasted. Does your dialog have that space?

Hello jscher2000,

Thanks for your answer.

In actual fact the pictures that you provided are so small that even when I try to enlarge them, they don't get large enough to actually read! But I think they might be similar!

I don't often download but recently I downloaded an item for anti-ransomeware, and wanted it to go, as usual, to my desktop so I could scan it before opening and installing it. It went to the Download folder on the HD and that is why I ended up here trying to get downloads to download on the desktop once again! I failed!

So, like you, I shall now choose "Always Ask" and carry on from there!

Many thanks for all the time and effort you have spent on this problem. If you ever discover why, I would love to know!!

I wonder if when I choose to download again and I am asked where it should go, and I choose Desktop, if I shall be ordered to choose a file on the desktop - if that happens, then I shall be back at the beginning again!!

Time Will Tell!!

Regards,

Colin.

Hi Colin, unless the forum script is broken for you, when you click the small version of the image it should load this larger one:

https://support.cdn.mozilla.net/media/uploads/images/2018-01-04-14-02-07-672b27.png

Hello jscher2000,

OK, so I'm a bit of a dunce and had no idea that that was how to view it! Yes, it is the same as mine!

I have now gone back to your previous answer, copied your "%UserProfile%\Desktop", and after clicking Browser, I entered it in the "File" space. I clicked Enter and now I have download to desktop!!

You have solved my problem and I am most grateful.

I have no idea how to award you any Points/Kudos/ Gold Stars or whatever is the prize for this. I do know that I appreciate your patience and for guiding me through what to me has been a bit of a maze!

KInd regards

Colin.

Hi Colin, glad to hear that worked. The next step is to find a post on this thread that contains the best summary of the solution -- possibly even your own last post -- and mark it as the solution using a little link to the right of it so the next person can more easily find it.

Hello jscher2000, How about something like this -

When the chosen download has been chosen as Desktop and this suddenly ceases to work and downloads go straight to the Download Folder on the HD.

On the toolbar, left-click on Tools, and at the bottom of the drop-down list, left click on Options.

Select General, and scroll down past – Startup, Homepage, Tabs, Language and Appearance, until the next one which is Files and Applications.

The first one under this heading is “Downloads.”

There are two options, the first is ”Save files to” followed by a space in which the chosen location is entered and a Browse button on the end at the right.

Choosing Desktop brings up a notice that this is not an option.

To facilitate Desktop as the chosen location, click Browse and insert %UserProfile%\Desktop in the "File" space, Then press Enter.

The Desktop will then be the location for all Downloads.

Solution by jscher2000

Thanks once again for your help and patience!

Regards,

Colin.

Hi Colin, I don't want to make it any more complicated for you than it already was. If you would understand what you wrote, then go ahead and mark that as the solution.