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Firefox 14 forgets where to save downloads

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Firefox version: 14.0.1 O/S: Windows XP Home version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600

When I try to save a series of image files from the same website to a target folder using Right Click>Save Image As..., Firefox frequently (but at random intervals) forgets where the previous file was saved. I may successfully save several files to the intended folder, then find that the Save As dialog has forgotten the target folder. Sometimes, it reverts to the default Downloads folder but sometimes it reverts to a folder I used for downloads (from a different website) days ago. It may then revert to another folder I also used for downloads (from a third website), also days ago. On occasion, I have to navigate back to the intended target folder for each of a succession of downloaded files, then Firefox starts remembering where the files are going -- only to forget again, later in the series. This means I have to pay attention to what Firefox is doing and waste time checking which folder it thinks is the target, instead of concentrating on the task I am performing. I do not recall encountering this stupid, aggravating behaviour in previous versions of Firefox. So far, I have noticed it only when using Right Click>Save Image As... but cannot be certain it has not occurred with other download methods.

Firefox version: 14.0.1 O/S: Windows XP Home version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600 When I try to save a series of image files from the same website to a target folder using Right Click>Save Image As..., Firefox frequently (but at random intervals) forgets where the previous file was saved. I may successfully save several files to the intended folder, then find that the Save As dialog has forgotten the target folder. Sometimes, it reverts to the default Downloads folder but sometimes it reverts to a folder I used for downloads (from a different website) days ago. It may then revert to another folder I also used for downloads (from a third website), also days ago. On occasion, I have to navigate back to the intended target folder for each of a succession of downloaded files, then Firefox starts remembering where the files are going -- only to forget again, later in the series. This means I have to pay attention to what Firefox is doing and waste time checking which folder it thinks is the target, instead of concentrating on the task I am performing. I do not recall encountering this stupid, aggravating behaviour in previous versions of Firefox. So far, I have noticed it only when using Right Click>Save Image As... but cannot be certain it has not occurred with other download methods.

Chosen solution

Current Firefox versions remember the download directory based upon the URL, so if the URL changes then the default folder may be chosen if there hasn't been selected a download folder before for that server.
You can disable this feature to remember the download directory via the Boolean pref browser.download.lastDir.savePerSite on the about:config page.
The browser.download.lastDir.savePerSite pref doesn't exist by default (it is a hidden pref), so you need to create it.

Create a new Boolean pref with the name browser.download.lastDir.savePerSite and set the value to false.

You may have to clear the "Site Preferences" via Clear Recent History to remove already stored data.

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All Replies (3)

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Chosen Solution

Current Firefox versions remember the download directory based upon the URL, so if the URL changes then the default folder may be chosen if there hasn't been selected a download folder before for that server.
You can disable this feature to remember the download directory via the Boolean pref browser.download.lastDir.savePerSite on the about:config page.
The browser.download.lastDir.savePerSite pref doesn't exist by default (it is a hidden pref), so you need to create it.

Create a new Boolean pref with the name browser.download.lastDir.savePerSite and set the value to false.

You may have to clear the "Site Preferences" via Clear Recent History to remove already stored data.

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Thanks, cor-el. I'm in the process of trying this.

Since the problem appeared to be intermittent & the task it affects isn't one I do every day, it may take some time before I can be sure whether or not your suggestion has solved it.

I'll post a further reply once I'm sure (one way or the other).

Regards,

Neil

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Sorry for the delay, cor-el. As soon as I'd something to test, I didn't get the chance to download anything for a while.

As far as I can tell, your suggestion has solved the problem.

Thanks again & regards,

Neil