https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/manage-downloads-preferences-using-downloads-menu https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-firefox-behavior-when-open-file

Sorry there doesn't seem to be a solution here, what I want is to have the download window pop up every time but not have to confirm it twice, instead of downloading it automatically.

Since FF98 changes it uses a standard default download settings there's not much one can officially change from that if the "ask for download" doesn't work. The only other way it to use custom settings that are from different site but that's not discussed in Firefox forum.