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Automatic download is TERRIBLE

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

natalieboisvert
natalieboisvert
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Why why why why is FF forcing download of pdf files? It is a horrible problem for me.

Especially because I am a university prof and, in the classroom, constantly display (my own!) files from the course management system on the classroom devices. I DO NOT WANT MY FILES SAVED ONTO THE (PUBLIC) CLASSROOM DEVICE. Never mind multiple copies as it will download EACH AND EVERY TIME I open it.

I have been looking everywhere for a solution or a way to disable this feature, there seems to be no such option but I am seeing a lot of posts from people who object to this as much as I do.

After many many years of loyally using FF and a paid subscriber to some Mozilla services, I am afraid I am going to have to give up using FF is this isn't fixed NOW.

Why why why why is FF forcing download of pdf files? It is a horrible problem for me. Especially because I am a university prof and, in the classroom, constantly display (my own!) files from the course management system on the classroom devices. I DO NOT WANT MY FILES SAVED ONTO THE (PUBLIC) CLASSROOM DEVICE. Never mind multiple copies as it will download EACH AND EVERY TIME I open it. I have been looking everywhere for a solution or a way to disable this feature, there seems to be no such option but I am seeing a lot of posts from people who object to this as much as I do. After many many years of loyally using FF and a paid subscriber to some Mozilla services, I am afraid I am going to have to give up using FF is this isn't fixed NOW.

All Replies (1)

FredMcD
FredMcD
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https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/98.0/releasenotes/ Firefox has a new optimized download flow . . . .

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/manage-downloads-preferences-using-downloads-menu Changes to how file downloads are handled in Firefox version 98

  • Firefox no longer asks what to do for each file by default
  • Downloads panel automatically opens
  • Downloaded files are saved to disk
  • Set a default app to open a file type
  • "Always Open Similar Files" option from the Downloads panel
  • Frequently asked questions


You can set this pref to false on the about:config page to prevent opening the download panel on each download.

  • browser.download.alwaysOpenPanel = false

You can open the about:config page via the location/address bar. You can accept the warning and click "I accept the risk!" to continue.