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

  • 5 replies
  • 0 have this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by ajp1228

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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 All the previous forum questions which I've viewed have now been archived, so I'm opening a new one.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 All the previous forum questions which I've viewed have now been archived, so I'm opening a new one.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.
Attached screenshots

All Replies (5)

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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

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@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.

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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/

Modified by Terry

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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.

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@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.

Modified by ajp1228