Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Hidden Setting to Change Automatic Downloads of Opened Files Needs to Be on Settings Page

  • 5 ŋuɖoɖowo
  • 0 masɔmasɔ sia le wosi
  • 2 views
  • Nuɖoɖo mlɔetɔ ajp1228

more options

I've noticed for awhile that files I've opened to view were being automatically downloaded into my downloads folder, but I haven't investigated it until now. I found out this goes back to 2022! My downloads folder is cluttered with files I only wanted to view and not save. All the previous forum questions which I've viewed have now been archived, so I'm opening a new one. On one of the previous threads, I found that a new hidden setting was added so we could change this back to the old behavior of the automatically-downloaded files going to a temporary folder instead of being saved in our downloads folder. We can use about:config to find browser.download.start_downloads_in_tmp_dir and toggle it to "true."

Instead of our having to dig around on the forum to find how to change this, the setting needs to be added to the Main settings page under "Downloads." Then those of us who wish to "always" be asked where to save files will be able to find this setting and change it to our preference. If I want to download something to keep, I will intentionally save it. If not, I expect anything I read online to remain in a temporary cache folder and be deleted when I clear history (which is when I close Firefox, because that is what is selected in my settings).

Please unhide browser.download.start_downloads_in_tmp_dir and add it to our main Settings page. Thank you.

The attached picture is a screenshot from the thread where I found the information about this setting.

I've noticed for awhile that files I've opened to view were being automatically downloaded into my downloads folder, but I haven't investigated it until now. I found out this goes back to 2022! My downloads folder is cluttered with files I only wanted to view and not save. All the previous forum questions which I've viewed have now been archived, so I'm opening a new one. On one of the previous threads, I found that a new hidden setting was added so we could change this back to the old behavior of the automatically-downloaded files going to a temporary folder instead of being saved in our downloads folder. We can use about:config to find '''browser.download.start_downloads_in_tmp_dir''' and toggle it to "true." Instead of our having to dig around on the forum to find how to change this, the setting needs to be added to the Main settings page under "Downloads." Then those of us who wish to "always" be asked where to save files will be able to find this setting and change it to our preference. If I want to download something to keep, I will intentionally save it. If not, I expect anything I read online to remain in a temporary cache folder and be deleted when I clear history (which is when I close Firefox, because that is what is selected in my settings). Please unhide '''browser.download.start_downloads_in_tmp_dir''' and add it to our main Settings page. Thank you. The attached picture is a screenshot from the thread where I found the information about this setting.
Screen ƒe photowo kpe ɖe eŋu

All Replies (5)

more options

To put that suggestion where it will do some good, use Help > Share Ideas and Feedback.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/file-bug-report-or-feature-request-mozilla

more options

@Terry, that link just leads a page that links back to this Mozilla Connect forum. It's not really a "bug," so I don't think this request belongs on Bugzilla. So I think the suggestion is in the right place.

more options

This isn't the Connect site, only a support forum. This thread will disappear into the mist. Moreover, it is unlikely to be seen by any developers. The site you want is https://connect.mozilla.org/

Terry trɔe

more options

ajp1228 said

@Terry, that link just leads a page that links back to this Mozilla Connect forum. It's not really a "bug," so I don't think this request belongs on Bugzilla. So I think the suggestion is in the right place.

Despite the bug in name, the bugzilla is a general issues tracker for a variety of Mozilla related things including bugs and enhancements/feature tracking.

https://support.mozilla.org/ and https://connect.mozilla.org/ are two very different sites in purpose.

more options

@Terry @James I'm sorry; my mistake! Mozilla has too many forums to keep up with! I will repost this on Mozilla Connect. Actually, on further thought, I will double-check to make sure the files are deleted from the temporary folder when I close Firefox, like they are supposed to be after I changed the setting last night. If it's not working as expected, I will need to post to Bugzilla. I need to test it first.

ajp1228 trɔe