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Downloads will say they are completed, but the file hasn't been downloaded

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  • 48 have this problem
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  • Last reply by cor-el

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Recently, I have not been able to download any types of files using Firefox. When I try to, the download will instantly say its completed, regardless of the file size, but the the options to "open" and "open containing folder" are greyed out. The files do not appear in the folder in Windows explorer. I have the DownThemAll extension installed, and using that I am able to download files. I can also download files normally using Google Chrome.

Recently, I have not been able to download any types of files using Firefox. When I try to, the download will instantly say its completed, regardless of the file size, but the the options to "open" and "open containing folder" are greyed out. The files do not appear in the folder in Windows explorer. I have the DownThemAll extension installed, and using that I am able to download files. I can also download files normally using Google Chrome.

Chosen solution

It is possible that your anti-virus software is corrupting the downloaded files or otherwise interfering with downloading files by Firefox.
You can try to disable the real-time (live) scanning of files in your anti-virus software temporarily to see if that makes downloading work.

See http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_save_or_download_files (Disable virus scanning in Firefox preferences - Windows)

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Chosen Solution

It is possible that your anti-virus software is corrupting the downloaded files or otherwise interfering with downloading files by Firefox.
You can try to disable the real-time (live) scanning of files in your anti-virus software temporarily to see if that makes downloading work.

See http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_save_or_download_files (Disable virus scanning in Firefox preferences - Windows)

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That fixed the problem, but is it a security risk not to scan my downloads? I'm using Microsoft Security Essentials as my anti-virus.

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You can try to exclude some folders from scanning (e.g. the %temp% folder) if that is possible in Microsoft Security Essentials.

Firefox should still launch the default AV program to scan the file after the download has finished or did you have to disable that as well?