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prevent downloading the same file twice

bitsfritz
bitsfritz
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How can I stop firefox saving the same file twice at all while downloading? I don't know any scenario, where saving a renamed copy makes any sense. But I know scenarios, where this is deeply confusing.

I found this answer: https://support.mozilla.org/gl/questions/1365576#answer-1477483 , but it doesn't help much.

It only works if the downloaded file is not one of the type configured in "Applications" part. Action other than "save file" or "Allways ask" does ignore "Always ask you where to save files" setting.

So, is there any switch "never save renamed copies of the same file"?

How can I stop firefox saving the same file twice at all while downloading? I don't know any scenario, where saving a renamed copy makes any sense. But I know scenarios, where this is deeply confusing. I found this answer: https://support.mozilla.org/gl/questions/1365576#answer-1477483 , but it doesn't help much. It only works if the downloaded file is not one of the type configured in "Applications" part. Action other than "save file" or "Allways ask" does ignore "Always ask you where to save files" setting. So, is there any switch "never save renamed copies of the same file"?

All Replies (1)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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If I understand the scenario:

(A) You download filename.doc and Firefox saves it automatically to your Downloads folder as filename.doc.

(B) You download the same file again (or a different file named filename.doc) and Firefox saves it automatically to your Downloads folder as filename (1).doc.

Firefox doesn't compare the new and existing files, so it doesn't know whether you are re-saving the identical file or whether it is a different file with the identical name. I don't know whether Firefox could do a better job in this case by performing some kind of file comparison or whether that would add a lot of overhead.

Mozilla has a product suggestion site at https://connect.mozilla.org/. I think if you have time, it would be a good idea to post this request there to get into the current feedback stream. Use the "Ideas" section of the site.