Did not work. Still downloads attachment even though flag shows "false" Double checked and tried again.

How can I disable the annoying function of automatic download of attachments every time I access one even though I used to be able to just open them or decide to download. Tired of deleting every blasted file into recycle when I don't want this. It doesn't matter if I select "ask where to download" box is checked.

First, an overview of the three ways to handle/view documents from the web:

(1) As web content, saved in Firefox's web cache folder, and displayed in a tab. This is the norm for HTML, text, inline images, and most PDFs (if you set PDF handling to "Open in Firefox").

(2) As a file, saved for later, either in your default download folder (the "Save files to" folder on the Settings page) or another folder you select with the "Always ask you where to save files" box checked.

Before Firefox 98, "Always ask" was the default action for most content types and for unknown content types, triggering a download dialog. Starting in Firefox 98, that changed to "Save file" for most content types and for unknown content types.

(3) As a file, opened automatically in a separate program for immediate viewing. Firefox does not ask where to save.

Before Firefox 98, Firefox saved these files in the Windows Temp or Linux /tmp folder. Starting in Firefox 98, Firefox saves these files in the default download folder (the "Save files to" folder on the Settings page).

Over the past several versions in response to user suggestions (complaints? demands?), Mozilla has created some new controls for the changes referenced above.

(A) Handling of unknown content types

Firefox 101 added a selector to optionally return to the pre-Firefox 98 method of showing you a download dialog to choose whether to Open or Save the file. You can find that on the Settings page, Applications section, below the list of actions assigned for known content types (this doesn't override that list, it applies to the things that are not on that list):

(B) Use of download versus temp folder

Firefox 102 added a hidden setting to go back to using the Windows Temp folder or Linux /tmp folder for "Open with [relevant application]" or "Use [relevant application]" . Here's how you access it:

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button accepting the risk.

More info on about:config: Configuration Editor for Firefox. The moderators would like us to remind you that changes made through this back door aren't fully supported and aren't guaranteed to continue working in the future.

(2) In the search box in the page, type or paste browser.download.start_downloads_in_tmp_dir and pause while the list is filtered

(3) Double-click the preference to switch the value from false to true

I think I've covered the points relevant to your problem, but if I've missed something, let us know.

Yes, I did close Firefox and reboot it. Did not work. Second recommendation from jscher2000 did work and verified with opening same attachment (PDF) as earlier. Many thanks. Been a loyal Mozilla user of Firefox and Thunderbird for ions.

Please DO NOT follow the advice by Dropa to deactivate the ... improvements_to_download_panel preference. It is an old solution that turns off all download panel improvements.

Setting the new browser.download.start_downloads_in_tmp_dir preference to true in about:config is the correct solution for your issue in Firefox 102 and above.

Please be careful with all about:config changes. Please read Firefox Advanced Customization and Configuration Options to learn more.