Firefox is persistently putting downloads in the wrong location (1-16-21)
I am currently on Firefox 84.0 on Windows 10.
Every time I download any type of file, Firefox puts the file inside of (C:) > Users > tmmor > AppData > Local > Temp. This is extremely frustrating because I have to manually move the files to my 'Downloads' folder every time I download a new file. I have changed my settings numerous times. In Options > General > Files and applications. I have selected the "Save files to" and I have changed it to many different locations and my files still end up in (C:) > Users > tmmor > AppData > Local >Temp. I have even resorted to selecting the setting "Always ask you where to save files." After closing and reopening the browser, I try to download something and Firefox never prompts me to select a download location (Contrary to my settings). Firefox just automatically downloads the file and puts it in (C:) > Users > tmmor > AppData > Local > Temp.
After looking for solutions online I have went into "about:config" and I found out that "browser.download.dir" was already set to "C:\Users\tmmor\Downloads" (My intended location) and "browser.download.lastDir" was already set to the same location. I have also set "browser.download.useDownloadsDir" from false to true. Firefox still puts my downloads into (C:) > Users > tmmor > AppData > Local > Temp.
I am also the administrator on my device. I am not aware of any windows settings that are blocking Firefox from putting my downloads into my "Downloads" folder. Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome put my downloads into my "Downloads" folder every single time I download something, why cant Firefox do the same?
I also do not believe that any of my extensions or plug-in's are causing this issue, I have very few extensions and plug-in's.
Firefox is persistent at saving my downloads to (C:) > Users > tmmor > AppData > Local > Temp. I have never gotten Firefox to save my downloads to my intended location (The downloads folder). Can anyone please instruct me how to resolve this issue. This is my last resort to solving this problem, nothing has worked for me. Thank you for your time, this experience has been stressful for me.
Chosen solution
Hi Timothy, it's normal for Firefox to use the Windows Temp folder for downloads. While you are deciding whether to Open or Save, Firefox starts saving to the Temp folder in the background ( saving as a .part file until it completes). If you choose Open, the file stays there in the Temp folder. If you choose Save, Firefox moves the file to your chosen folder. At least, it should move the file.
If Firefox is not moving downloaded files, there could be a problem with permissions on the system. I'm not sure whether Firefox logs that anywhere*, or Windows logs it anywhere; perhaps another support volunteer knows about that.
You mentioned that your Windows user is an administrator. By default, Firefox is designed to run with the same permissions as Windows File Explorer (medium integrity). If you make any changes to the Windows "UAC" (user account control) settings, there can be strange side effects. (For example: Drag and Drop errors with Firefox Launcher Process enabled and Windows UAC disabled - How to Fix.) Similarly, for best results, you wouldn't want to run Firefox as administrator (a setting saved in the shortcut). Not sure if any of those might be factors.
* Browser Console
One place you might check for error messages is Firefox's Browser Console. That's a separate popup window you can open using either:
- "3-bar" menu button > Web Developer > Browser Console
- (menu bar) Tools > Web Developer > Browser Console
- (Windows) Ctrl+Shift+j
Click the trash can icon at the upper left to clear the window, then switch back over to your main window and try another download. Then check back in the Console to see whether Firefox mentions any problems with saving it. Anything?
More info on the Browser Console: https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Tools/Browser_Console
Read this answer in context 👍 1All Replies (4)
Chosen Solution
Hi Timothy, it's normal for Firefox to use the Windows Temp folder for downloads. While you are deciding whether to Open or Save, Firefox starts saving to the Temp folder in the background ( saving as a .part file until it completes). If you choose Open, the file stays there in the Temp folder. If you choose Save, Firefox moves the file to your chosen folder. At least, it should move the file.
If Firefox is not moving downloaded files, there could be a problem with permissions on the system. I'm not sure whether Firefox logs that anywhere*, or Windows logs it anywhere; perhaps another support volunteer knows about that.
You mentioned that your Windows user is an administrator. By default, Firefox is designed to run with the same permissions as Windows File Explorer (medium integrity). If you make any changes to the Windows "UAC" (user account control) settings, there can be strange side effects. (For example: Drag and Drop errors with Firefox Launcher Process enabled and Windows UAC disabled - How to Fix.) Similarly, for best results, you wouldn't want to run Firefox as administrator (a setting saved in the shortcut). Not sure if any of those might be factors.
* Browser Console
One place you might check for error messages is Firefox's Browser Console. That's a separate popup window you can open using either:
- "3-bar" menu button > Web Developer > Browser Console
- (menu bar) Tools > Web Developer > Browser Console
- (Windows) Ctrl+Shift+j
Click the trash can icon at the upper left to clear the window, then switch back over to your main window and try another download. Then check back in the Console to see whether Firefox mentions any problems with saving it. Anything?
More info on the Browser Console: https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Tools/Browser_Console
Thank you very much, I feel so ignorant. Clicking "save file" instead of "open" solved this issue. Thank you for the additional context, no need to look into the browser console. Brilliant solution.
I'm having the same problem and it literally started in the middle of downloading files. The first half went to my downloads folder. Since then everything is going into my temp folder. Boo! The instructions don't work.
mdf4 said
I'm having the same problem and it literally started in the middle of downloading files. The first half went to my downloads folder. Since then everything is going into my temp folder. Boo! The instructions don't work.
Any improvement if you do a regular shutdown and restart of your system? The goal there would be to correct any permission/privilege glitches that would block Firefox from moving files from your system TEMP folder to their final destination.