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How to stop Firefox from saving every dowload I open

helplessinAZ
helplessinAZ
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The latest update of Firefox will not let me view PDF files in the browser, but instead "downloads" them. I also just found out that it is saving every single file that I preview on my hard drive, in my Pictures folder. How can I stop this?

The latest update of Firefox will not let me view PDF files in the browser, but instead "downloads" them. I also just found out that it is saving every single file that I preview on my hard drive, in my Pictures folder. How can I stop this?

All Replies (2)

Mkll
Mkll
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Hello,

The Refresh feature (called "Reset" in older Firefox versions) can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your bookmarks, history, passwords, cookies, and other essential information.

Note: When you use this feature, you will lose any extensions, toolbar customizations, and some preferences. See the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article for more information.

To Refresh Firefox:

  1. Open the Troubleshooting Information page using one of these methods:
    • Click the menu button New Fx Menu, click help Help-29 and select Troubleshooting Information. A new tab containing your troubleshooting information should open.
    • If you're unable to access the Help menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting Information page.
  2. At the top right corner of the page, you should see a button that says "Refresh Firefox" ("Reset Firefox" in older Firefox versions). Click on it.
  3. Firefox will close. After the refresh process is completed, Firefox will show a window with the information that is imported.
  4. Click Finish and Firefox will reopen.

Did this fix the problem? Please report back to us!

Thank you.

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Hi helplessinAZ, a Refresh would restore default settings, but if you aren't ready for that, you can check the Options page yourself:

  • 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

In the search box at the top of the page, type files and Firefox should filter to the relevant sections.

Downloads

Here you should be able to set your preferred default downloads folder, and/or set Firefox to show a folder browsing dialog every time you save a file.

If it appear to be set correctly, try changing it and then changing it back.

Applications

Here you can find "Portable Document Format (PDF)" and change to "Preview in Firefox".

Again, if it appear to be set correctly, try changing it and then changing it back.

Sometimes there is a site-specific problem with downloads not being flagged as PDF files -- Firefox keys off of the Content-Type header sent with the file, it needs to be application/pdf in order to be treated as a PDF. I can give you suggestions if you have a site-specific problem like that.