Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Openning WinRar archive from Firefox downloads makes the files in the archive unextractable with drag&drop

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

JuganD
JuganD
more options

This problems seems rather strange and firstly I thought it might be a WinRar problem, but after I tried downloading the same archive from the same link in other browsers, it seems that only when I download the archive from firefox and directly open it from the dropdown menu, I can't drag&drop any file from the archive at any directory. When opening the archive from the directory, however, I don't experience this problem. PS: Downloading the same archive from "private browsing" with all addons disabled, still produces the same result.

My guess is it has something to do with the way Firefox opens the file in the first place. It should be noted that UAC is disabled, I am in the built-in Administrator account as well as completely disabled UAC (EnableLUA) from registry.

Hope any of this helps in any future investigation.

This problems seems rather strange and firstly I thought it might be a WinRar problem, but after I tried downloading the same archive from the same link in other browsers, it seems that only when I download the archive from firefox and directly open it from the dropdown menu, I can't drag&drop any file from the archive at any directory. When opening the archive from the directory, however, I don't experience this problem. PS: Downloading the same archive from "private browsing" with all addons disabled, still produces the same result. My guess is it has something to do with the way Firefox opens the file in the first place. It should be noted that UAC is disabled, I am in the built-in Administrator account as well as completely disabled UAC (EnableLUA) from registry. Hope any of this helps in any future investigation.

Chosen solution

Hello JuganD, There is an issue between drag-and-drop and UAC. You can either can re-enable UAC or launch Firefox using the -no-deelevate command line option, either directly from the command line or by editing your Firefox shortcut. Alternatively, copy and paste can substitute for drag-and-drop.

See: Running Windows as Administrator with Launcher Process Enabled Causes Drag and Drop Errors - How to Fix

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (3)

user104147805413306348376805769878442569366
user104147805413306348376805769878442569366
more options

Chosen Solution

Hello JuganD, There is an issue between drag-and-drop and UAC. You can either can re-enable UAC or launch Firefox using the -no-deelevate command line option, either directly from the command line or by editing your Firefox shortcut. Alternatively, copy and paste can substitute for drag-and-drop.

See: Running Windows as Administrator with Launcher Process Enabled Causes Drag and Drop Errors - How to Fix

Shadow110
Shadow110
more options

Hi, have owned Winrar for years and you are correct that you can open the archive and You should be able to Drag and Drop to a Folder. I can.

You do not mention what version your running, 5.71 is the latest.

You do not mention if it is bought, still running a trial or if it is cracked. Nor what Firefox is set to use as a archiver under (Copy/Paste to Address Bar : about:preferences#general then Enter go to Applications.

Have you tried a uninstall then reinstall ? Have you checked if it is a Win10 issue with a corrupted file ?

fyi : Not sure what Win10 version your on (Settings --> System --> About) if on 1803 you will be force updated soon to 1903.

You could try a Refresh as it could be a corrupted file in Firefox  :

You can also try creating a 2nd Profile :

but do this 1st :

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Note that you have this issue when you run Firefox as administrator and have UAC disabled.

Firefox 68 comes with a new launcher process that lowers to Firefox run level to medium-integrity and that makes it impossible to communicate with other processes that run with default high-integrity. This affects drag and drop.