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How to move or copy files from Mozilla Download folder to Desktop

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Since minor crash yesterday (which dis configured my settings), downloaded files now go to firefox download folder. I can see the files but I will like to move them to a folder/location of my choice. Kindly advise how to move or copy files from Mozilla download folder to a system file folders or even the desktop. I think the mini crash (which I fixed by a system restore) has disabled "Open Containing Folder". Otherwise Tools > Downloads to open the Downloads window and right-clicking files to > "Open" would have worked.

My problem or challenge is NOT how to direct downloads to a folder of my choice in the future going forward. Its an easy fix through Tools>Options.

My problem is how to move the files that are CURRENTLY on the Firefox folder off the Firefox folder.

The irritating thing is these files currently on the firefox folder are visible - i can see them, folder-searchable but unopenable. I cannot resave the files and I cannot copy them either.

The reason for my post is to seek/ask a way to move the files that are CURRENTLY on the Firefox folder off the Firefox folder.

Since minor crash yesterday (which dis configured my settings), downloaded files now go to firefox download folder. I can see the files but I will like to move them to a folder/location of my choice. Kindly advise how to move or copy files from Mozilla download folder to a system file folders or even the desktop. I think the mini crash (which I fixed by a system restore) has disabled "Open Containing Folder". Otherwise Tools > Downloads to open the Downloads window and right-clicking files to > "Open" would have worked. My problem or challenge is NOT how to direct downloads to a folder of my choice in the future going forward. Its an easy fix through Tools>Options. My problem is how to move the files that are CURRENTLY on the Firefox folder off the Firefox folder. The irritating thing is these files currently on the firefox folder are visible - i can see them, folder-searchable but unopenable. I cannot resave the files and I cannot copy them either. The reason for my post is to seek/ask a way to move the files that are CURRENTLY on the Firefox folder off the Firefox folder.

Modified by leogbekie

All Replies (7)

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You can check the download settings.

  • Firefox/Tools > Options > General : Downloads
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"Open Containing Folder" should not be disabled. Perhaps the folder was deleted (along with the files in it)? Deleting a file that you've downloaded does not remove it from the download manager list. Do you still have the same problem with brand new downloads?

If "Open Containing Folder" is disabled on brand new downloads, then the files may be in your Windows TEMP folder.

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Thanks Chris and cor-el. To answer your question - Yes. "Open Containing Folder" is disabled on brand new downloads as well . Temp folders are essentially empty. By the way, just noticed that "Open" is disabled as well, But the other four are fine - go to dwnld page, copy downld link, select all and remove from list are fine. Open Containing Folder and Open are disabled.

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Right now, it sounds like that folder is locked and inaccessible. If you set Firefox to download to a different folder, does everything work correctly with that different folder?

I guess the next step would be figuring out what on earth happened to lock the original folder. :)

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If "Open" and "Open Containing Folder" are disabled (grayed) then that means that the file is no longer present in the folder where it was downloaded and may have been removed by anti-virus software or cleanup software if you didn't do it.

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yes chris - it works when I set Firefox to download to a different folder, everything work correctly with the different folder

cor-el - so you think there is anyway to restore or pull these files back in since you are thinking it is a possibility that the avg anti-virus deletion and the avg pc tune deletion caused me "lose" these files. By the way, AVG is a mean antivirus software. Should never be used by anyone. I highly do not recommend it.

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Open containing folder is disabled on mine as well