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Why does Firefox on Windows always default to the wrong location to save files?
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Henning Schröder
Jun 21, 2016, 1:13:13 AM6/21/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
Firefox 45 on Windows is set to forget all history and also to
ask the user where to download files but EVERY time Firefox
is newly invoked, it DEFAULTS to the SAME WRONG location.
1. I start Firefox from scratch on Windows
2. I go to any web site, e.g., I type "butterfly" into images.google.com
3. I choose the first hit to download
http://www.meijergardens.org/storage/images/content5-hatching.jpg
4. Darn Firefox DEFAULTS to the WRONG location every time
Save image as: c:\data\software\free\games\trail\universe_sandbox\trial\
This has been happening for as long as I can remember and it's driving
me crazy because I can't figure out WHERE that default comes from.
The words "universe_sandbox" don't even exist in the registry for
example.
Once I save the file to, say, c:\tmp\butterflies\file.jpg, then
(and only then) will Firefox default to that new location, but
upon initial invocation, Firefox on Windows ALWAYS defaults to
that terrible location.
5. When I subsequently download another butterfly file:
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/content/dam/kids/photos/animals/Bugs/H-P/monarch-butterfly-grass.jpg.adapt.945.1.jpg
6. Then and only then does Firefox default to
c:\tmp\butterflies\
All I want to do is CHANGE that default first starting position
for Windows Firefox to C:\tmp instead of the oddball path of
c:\data\software\free\games\trail\universe_sandbox\trial\
Note that at one point we installed universe sandbox, so, maybe
*that* program messed with something in Windows that sets Firefox'
default starting point.
But where is that wrong setting in Windows Firefox then?
ask the user where to download files but EVERY time Firefox
is newly invoked, it DEFAULTS to the SAME WRONG location.
1. I start Firefox from scratch on Windows
2. I go to any web site, e.g., I type "butterfly" into images.google.com
3. I choose the first hit to download
http://www.meijergardens.org/storage/images/content5-hatching.jpg
4. Darn Firefox DEFAULTS to the WRONG location every time
Save image as: c:\data\software\free\games\trail\universe_sandbox\trial\
This has been happening for as long as I can remember and it's driving
me crazy because I can't figure out WHERE that default comes from.
The words "universe_sandbox" don't even exist in the registry for
example.
Once I save the file to, say, c:\tmp\butterflies\file.jpg, then
(and only then) will Firefox default to that new location, but
upon initial invocation, Firefox on Windows ALWAYS defaults to
that terrible location.
5. When I subsequently download another butterfly file:
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/content/dam/kids/photos/animals/Bugs/H-P/monarch-butterfly-grass.jpg.adapt.945.1.jpg
6. Then and only then does Firefox default to
c:\tmp\butterflies\
All I want to do is CHANGE that default first starting position
for Windows Firefox to C:\tmp instead of the oddball path of
c:\data\software\free\games\trail\universe_sandbox\trial\
Note that at one point we installed universe sandbox, so, maybe
*that* program messed with something in Windows that sets Firefox'
default starting point.
But where is that wrong setting in Windows Firefox then?
Jeremy Nicoll
Jun 21, 2016, 2:22:35 AM6/21/16
to support...@lists.mozilla.org
On Tue, 21 Jun 2016, at 06:12, Henning Schröder wrote:
> This has been happening for as long as I can remember and it's driving
> me crazy because I can't figure out WHERE that default comes from.
>
> The words "universe_sandbox" don't even exist in the registry for
> example.
Read about where FF stores configuration data, and how to view/change it
> This has been happening for as long as I can remember and it's driving
> me crazy because I can't figure out WHERE that default comes from.
>
> The words "universe_sandbox" don't even exist in the registry for
> example.
at:
http://kb.mozillazine.org/About:config
--
Jeremy Nicoll - my opinions are my own.
VanguardLH
Jun 21, 2016, 6:12:45 AM6/21/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
the location to save or ask you each time) doesn't work? If you set it
to a specific location, Firefox isn't honoring that? Or if you set it
to ask each time, it doesn't?
VanguardLH
Jun 21, 2016, 6:13:18 AM6/21/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
whatever you choose previously as the save location will not get saved.
After all, the purpose of the sandbox is to NOT allow changing the
actual file system under the sandbox. So changes you make, like
changing the save location, are going to get discarded as soon as you
unload the sandbox (since those changes are only inside the sandbox).
You didn't mention WHICH sandbox you use. If it operates as a virtual
machine or, at least, virtualizes the drive then changes inside the
sandbox are not recorded outside the sandbox.
Or are you not running Firefox inside the sandbox and only saving files
to somewhere inside a sandbox protected location?
J. P. Gilliver (John)
Jun 21, 2016, 6:52:26 PM6/21/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
In message
<mailman.107.1466503992...@lists.mozilla.org>,
VanguardLH <V...@nguard.LH> writes:
>Henning Schröder wrote:
[]
he said he once installed a sandbox (with the implication, though not
the explicit statement, that he subsequently removed it).
[]
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
"Who came first? Adam or Eve?" "Adam of course; men always do."
Victoria Wood (via Peter Hesketh)
<mailman.107.1466503992...@lists.mozilla.org>,
VanguardLH <V...@nguard.LH> writes:
>Henning Schröder wrote:
[]
>> All I want to do is CHANGE that default first starting position
>> for Windows Firefox to C:\tmp instead of the oddball path of
>> c:\data\software\free\games\trail\universe_sandbox\trial\
>>
>> Note that at one point we installed universe sandbox, so, maybe
>> *that* program messed with something in Windows that sets Firefox'
>> default starting point.
>>
>> But where is that wrong setting in Windows Firefox then?
>
>Oh, also, since you are running Firefox in a sandbox, it is likely that
>whatever you choose previously as the save location will not get saved.
Good thought - but I don't think he said he is running FF in a sandbox;
>> for Windows Firefox to C:\tmp instead of the oddball path of
>> c:\data\software\free\games\trail\universe_sandbox\trial\
>>
>> Note that at one point we installed universe sandbox, so, maybe
>> *that* program messed with something in Windows that sets Firefox'
>> default starting point.
>>
>> But where is that wrong setting in Windows Firefox then?
>
>Oh, also, since you are running Firefox in a sandbox, it is likely that
>whatever you choose previously as the save location will not get saved.
he said he once installed a sandbox (with the implication, though not
the explicit statement, that he subsequently removed it).
[]
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
"Who came first? Adam or Eve?" "Adam of course; men always do."
Victoria Wood (via Peter Hesketh)
J. P. Gilliver (John)
Jun 21, 2016, 7:02:27 PM6/21/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
In message
<mailman.106.1466503958...@lists.mozilla.org>,
VanguardLH <V...@nguard.LH> writes:
[]
he has it set to ask, but he's not happy with where it defaults to when
it asks. (If you set it to a specific location, it saves there without
asking; if you set it to ask, it does ask, but it always starts
somewhere when it does the asking.)
I think his is working differently to how mine does; I've often wondered
how it decides where to default to when asking (I have it set to ask,
too); recently I've come to the tentative conclusion that it remembers
(and thus offers as a starting point) a location associated with a
particular website - such that if I return to a website from which I've
saved before, it starts at the location I saved to last time I saved
from that website. But it sounds like his isn't doing that, but is
instead always defaulting to one (obscure) save location. At a guess,
the file (or whatever) in which it keeps the mapping of sites to
save-locations has become read-only (or not accessible to the right
prog./user/whatever) on his system.
<mailman.106.1466503958...@lists.mozilla.org>,
VanguardLH <V...@nguard.LH> writes:
[]
>> All I want to do is CHANGE that default first starting position
>> for Windows Firefox to C:\tmp instead of the oddball path of
>> c:\data\software\free\games\trail\universe_sandbox\trial\
>>
>> Note that at one point we installed universe sandbox, so, maybe
>> *that* program messed with something in Windows that sets Firefox'
>> default starting point.
>>
>> But where is that wrong setting in Windows Firefox then?
>
>I take it that Options -> General -> Downloads (which lets you specify
>the location to save or ask you each time) doesn't work? If you set it
>to a specific location, Firefox isn't honoring that? Or if you set it
>to ask each time, it doesn't?
I take it from his reference to a "default first starting position" that
>> for Windows Firefox to C:\tmp instead of the oddball path of
>> c:\data\software\free\games\trail\universe_sandbox\trial\
>>
>> Note that at one point we installed universe sandbox, so, maybe
>> *that* program messed with something in Windows that sets Firefox'
>> default starting point.
>>
>> But where is that wrong setting in Windows Firefox then?
>
>I take it that Options -> General -> Downloads (which lets you specify
>the location to save or ask you each time) doesn't work? If you set it
>to a specific location, Firefox isn't honoring that? Or if you set it
>to ask each time, it doesn't?
he has it set to ask, but he's not happy with where it defaults to when
it asks. (If you set it to a specific location, it saves there without
asking; if you set it to ask, it does ask, but it always starts
somewhere when it does the asking.)
I think his is working differently to how mine does; I've often wondered
how it decides where to default to when asking (I have it set to ask,
too); recently I've come to the tentative conclusion that it remembers
(and thus offers as a starting point) a location associated with a
particular website - such that if I return to a website from which I've
saved before, it starts at the location I saved to last time I saved
from that website. But it sounds like his isn't doing that, but is
instead always defaulting to one (obscure) save location. At a guess,
the file (or whatever) in which it keeps the mapping of sites to
save-locations has become read-only (or not accessible to the right
prog./user/whatever) on his system.
VanguardLH
Jun 22, 2016, 12:21:06 AM6/22/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
> VanguardLH writes:
>
>>> All I want to do is CHANGE that default first starting position
>>> for Windows Firefox to C:\tmp instead of the oddball path of
>>> c:\data\software\free\games\trail\universe_sandbox\trial\
>>>
to not ask (to use a specified default path), what path is in there now?
See https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/995263. That probably
mirrors the config settings via the GUI but using the about:config
editor. If those settings don't stick then I suspect your user is
running Firefox inside a sandbox or virtual machine and why those
settings disappear, or doing something with prefs.js, like he saved a
baseline copy and then copies it over the one in his FF profile folder.
The above article mentions the same browser.download.* settings
mentioned in http://kb.mozillazine.org/About:config_entries#Browser.
(note that the trailing period is part of the URL - yeah, not a good URL
for proper parsing when referenced within other text).
So watch for what happens to the following about:config values:
browser.download.folderlist
browser.download.dir
One, or both, of those settings does not exist until the user actually
makes a choice that varies from the install-time default. That is, if
the setting is missing than a default value is assumed for it. So make
sure that not only do the values entered stick but that those settings
still exist after an exit (make sure all instances of firefox.exe are
gone) and a reload of Firefox.
> VanguardLH writes:
>
>>> All I want to do is CHANGE that default first starting position
>>> for Windows Firefox to C:\tmp instead of the oddball path of
>>> c:\data\software\free\games\trail\universe_sandbox\trial\
>>>
>>> But where is that wrong setting in Windows Firefox then?
>>
>> I take it that Options -> General -> Downloads (which lets you
>> specify the location to save or ask you each time) doesn't work? If
>> you set it to a specific location, Firefox isn't honoring that? Or
>> if you set it to ask each time, it doesn't?
>
> I take it from his reference to a "default first starting position" that
> he has it set to ask, but he's not happy with where it defaults to when
> it asks. (If you set it to a specific location, it saves there without
> asking; if you set it to ask, it does ask, but it always starts
> somewhere when it does the asking.)
Under the option path that I mentioned, and when he selects the option
>>
>> I take it that Options -> General -> Downloads (which lets you
>> specify the location to save or ask you each time) doesn't work? If
>> you set it to a specific location, Firefox isn't honoring that? Or
>> if you set it to ask each time, it doesn't?
>
> I take it from his reference to a "default first starting position" that
> he has it set to ask, but he's not happy with where it defaults to when
> it asks. (If you set it to a specific location, it saves there without
> asking; if you set it to ask, it does ask, but it always starts
> somewhere when it does the asking.)
to not ask (to use a specified default path), what path is in there now?
See https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/995263. That probably
mirrors the config settings via the GUI but using the about:config
editor. If those settings don't stick then I suspect your user is
running Firefox inside a sandbox or virtual machine and why those
settings disappear, or doing something with prefs.js, like he saved a
baseline copy and then copies it over the one in his FF profile folder.
The above article mentions the same browser.download.* settings
mentioned in http://kb.mozillazine.org/About:config_entries#Browser.
(note that the trailing period is part of the URL - yeah, not a good URL
for proper parsing when referenced within other text).
So watch for what happens to the following about:config values:
browser.download.folderlist
browser.download.dir
One, or both, of those settings does not exist until the user actually
makes a choice that varies from the install-time default. That is, if
the setting is missing than a default value is assumed for it. So make
sure that not only do the values entered stick but that those settings
still exist after an exit (make sure all instances of firefox.exe are
gone) and a reload of Firefox.
Henning Schröder
Jun 22, 2016, 10:59:20 AM6/22/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
VanguardLH auf Tue, 21 Jun 2016 01:38:02 -0500 geschrieben ...
> I take it that Options -> General -> Downloads (which lets you specify
> the location to save or ask you each time) doesn't work? If you set it
> to a specific location, Firefox isn't honoring that? Or if you set it
> to ask each time, it doesn't?
Firefox has always been set to "Ask" every time.
That part works just fine.
What happens is that it defaults to the wrong spot when it asks.
> I take it that Options -> General -> Downloads (which lets you specify
> the location to save or ask you each time) doesn't work? If you set it
> to a specific location, Firefox isn't honoring that? Or if you set it
> to ask each time, it doesn't?
That part works just fine.
What happens is that it defaults to the wrong spot when it asks.
Henning Schröder
Jun 22, 2016, 11:02:37 AM6/22/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
J. P. Gilliver (John) auf Tue, 21 Jun 2016 23:52:12 +0100 geschrieben ...
> I take it from his reference to a "default first starting position" that
> he has it set to ask, but he's not happy with where it defaults to when
> it asks. (If you set it to a specific location, it saves there without
> asking; if you set it to ask, it does ask, but it always starts
> somewhere when it does the asking.)
Precisely!
It always starts in the same (wrong) spot.
Clearly this spot was "caused" by the installation of that particular
software, which changed some (as yet unknown) setting in Firefox which
sets the default starting location when Firefox asks where to download.
> I think his is working differently to how mine does; I've often wondered
> how it decides where to default to when asking (I have it set to ask,
> too); recently I've come to the tentative conclusion that it remembers
> (and thus offers as a starting point) a location associated with a
> particular website - such that if I return to a website from which I've
> saved before, it starts at the location I saved to last time I saved
> from that website. But it sounds like his isn't doing that, but is
> instead always defaulting to one (obscure) save location.
Precisely.
>From startup, Firefox asks where to download the file, but it defaults
to a location that was set by a game that the kids installed long ago.
If we think about that logically, the game must have changed a setting
in Firefox which sets the default location when it asks for a location.
> At a guess,
> the file (or whatever) in which it keeps the mapping of sites to
> save-locations has become read-only (or not accessible to the right
> prog./user/whatever) on his system.
I don't really know if it's Windows or Firefox that has that default
location for asking setting.
> I take it from his reference to a "default first starting position" that
> he has it set to ask, but he's not happy with where it defaults to when
> it asks. (If you set it to a specific location, it saves there without
> asking; if you set it to ask, it does ask, but it always starts
> somewhere when it does the asking.)
It always starts in the same (wrong) spot.
Clearly this spot was "caused" by the installation of that particular
software, which changed some (as yet unknown) setting in Firefox which
sets the default starting location when Firefox asks where to download.
> I think his is working differently to how mine does; I've often wondered
> how it decides where to default to when asking (I have it set to ask,
> too); recently I've come to the tentative conclusion that it remembers
> (and thus offers as a starting point) a location associated with a
> particular website - such that if I return to a website from which I've
> saved before, it starts at the location I saved to last time I saved
> from that website. But it sounds like his isn't doing that, but is
> instead always defaulting to one (obscure) save location.
>From startup, Firefox asks where to download the file, but it defaults
to a location that was set by a game that the kids installed long ago.
If we think about that logically, the game must have changed a setting
in Firefox which sets the default location when it asks for a location.
> At a guess,
> the file (or whatever) in which it keeps the mapping of sites to
> save-locations has become read-only (or not accessible to the right
> prog./user/whatever) on his system.
location for asking setting.
Henning Schröder
Jun 22, 2016, 11:18:24 AM6/22/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
VanguardLH auf Tue, 21 Jun 2016 01:41:38 -0500 geschrieben ...
> Oh, also, since you are running Firefox in a sandbox, it is likely that
> whatever you choose previously as the save location will not get saved.
> After all, the purpose of the sandbox is to NOT allow changing the
> actual file system under the sandbox. So changes you make, like
> changing the save location, are going to get discarded as soon as you
> unload the sandbox (since those changes are only inside the sandbox).
I don't know what you actually mean by "sandboxed" but I do have Firefox
set to NOT REMEMBER anything that I can find in all the settings.
I'm not starting up Firefox in any strange way though, so, it's "all"
Firefox.
> You didn't mention WHICH sandbox you use. If it operates as a virtual
> machine or, at least, virtualizes the drive then changes inside the
> sandbox are not recorded outside the sandbox.
I don't know what you mean by "which sandbox". All I do is tell Firefox
to not use cookies, and not save URLs, and not save history and not
save search requests, etc., all of which are 'standard' FIrefox settings.
I just remember that I think I have Firefox to always be in the "private"
mode, but again, these are all simply checkboxes in the Firefox GUI.
So, it's definitely to be expected that Firefox will not save the *last*
downloaded location. That is certainly working because Firefox *always*
saves its first file in the (wrong) default location which was obviously
set when the game was installed.
> Or are you not running Firefox inside the sandbox and only saving files
> to somewhere inside a sandbox protected location?
Oh. I just looked up the name of the game that was installed, which is
"universe_sandbox". So that's why you think I'm installing Firefox using
a "sandbox".
While the game is what the kids play (so I have no idea really how it
works), that "universe_sandbox" game is a game where kids create their
own universe and where the laws of physics holds, so, for example, they
can crash two black holes together, or they can have an asteroid hit
the earth or mars slam into earth, all following normal physics laws
(so they have to speed up the timeline).
I just asked my kids and they say it's called Universe Sandbox because
they can play in a sandbox of the universe all they want. They can
create suns and planets and see what they look like from any perspective.
So, it's not a sandbox in the way you're thinking of it.
> Oh, also, since you are running Firefox in a sandbox, it is likely that
> whatever you choose previously as the save location will not get saved.
> After all, the purpose of the sandbox is to NOT allow changing the
> actual file system under the sandbox. So changes you make, like
> changing the save location, are going to get discarded as soon as you
> unload the sandbox (since those changes are only inside the sandbox).
set to NOT REMEMBER anything that I can find in all the settings.
I'm not starting up Firefox in any strange way though, so, it's "all"
Firefox.
> You didn't mention WHICH sandbox you use. If it operates as a virtual
> machine or, at least, virtualizes the drive then changes inside the
> sandbox are not recorded outside the sandbox.
to not use cookies, and not save URLs, and not save history and not
save search requests, etc., all of which are 'standard' FIrefox settings.
I just remember that I think I have Firefox to always be in the "private"
mode, but again, these are all simply checkboxes in the Firefox GUI.
So, it's definitely to be expected that Firefox will not save the *last*
downloaded location. That is certainly working because Firefox *always*
saves its first file in the (wrong) default location which was obviously
set when the game was installed.
> Or are you not running Firefox inside the sandbox and only saving files
> to somewhere inside a sandbox protected location?
"universe_sandbox". So that's why you think I'm installing Firefox using
a "sandbox".
While the game is what the kids play (so I have no idea really how it
works), that "universe_sandbox" game is a game where kids create their
own universe and where the laws of physics holds, so, for example, they
can crash two black holes together, or they can have an asteroid hit
the earth or mars slam into earth, all following normal physics laws
(so they have to speed up the timeline).
I just asked my kids and they say it's called Universe Sandbox because
they can play in a sandbox of the universe all they want. They can
create suns and planets and see what they look like from any perspective.
So, it's not a sandbox in the way you're thinking of it.
Henning Schröder
Jun 22, 2016, 11:24:01 AM6/22/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
J. P. Gilliver (John) auf Tue, 21 Jun 2016 23:43:43 +0100 geschrieben ...
> Good thought - but I don't think he said he is running FF in a sandbox;
> he said he once installed a sandbox (with the implication, though not
> the explicit statement, that he subsequently removed it).
Actually, it took me a while to figure out why kind folks here kept
thinking I was running FF *in* a "sandbox".
The word 'sandbox' is just the name of the game the kids play which
seems to have set a setting in Firefox that determines the default
download directory when asking.
The actual game is played *outside* of Firefox (and that game has nothing
whatsoever to do with Firefox as far as I can tell).
The game allows my kids to play "God" by creating any universe they
like and the only rule is that the universe has to follow real physics
so if they create an "o" type star, it will be very hot whereas if they
create a "g" type star it will be sun-like, and if they create an "m"
type star, it will eventually turn into a red giant and engulf the
proximal planets they've created.
The only reason (AFAICT) for the word 'sandbox' is that the whole universe
is a sandbox for the kids.
> Good thought - but I don't think he said he is running FF in a sandbox;
> he said he once installed a sandbox (with the implication, though not
> the explicit statement, that he subsequently removed it).
thinking I was running FF *in* a "sandbox".
The word 'sandbox' is just the name of the game the kids play which
seems to have set a setting in Firefox that determines the default
download directory when asking.
The actual game is played *outside* of Firefox (and that game has nothing
whatsoever to do with Firefox as far as I can tell).
The game allows my kids to play "God" by creating any universe they
like and the only rule is that the universe has to follow real physics
so if they create an "o" type star, it will be very hot whereas if they
create a "g" type star it will be sun-like, and if they create an "m"
type star, it will eventually turn into a red giant and engulf the
proximal planets they've created.
The only reason (AFAICT) for the word 'sandbox' is that the whole universe
is a sandbox for the kids.
»Q«
Jun 22, 2016, 11:28:52 AM6/22/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
In <news:mailman.97.1466485986...@lists.mozilla.org>,
Options/Preferences » General » Downloads. Click the radio button
labeled 'Save files to' then the 'Browse' button and navigate to your
preferred default location. Then click the radio button to change the
setting back to 'Always ask me where to save files'.
If that doesn't work, I would try entering
about:config?filter=%2Fbrowser.download.*(%5BFf%5Dolder%7C%5BDd%5Dir)%2F
into the address bar, then clicking to get past the warning. You
should see a short list of configuration variables having to do with
download location behavior -- right-click each one to reset it to its
default, then restart Firefox and go back to
Options/Preferences » General » Downloads where you can then hopefully
get the settings you want to work.
Henning Schröder <henning.schroder@1&1.de> wrote:
> Firefox 45 on Windows is set to forget all history and also to
> ask the user where to download files but EVERY time Firefox
> is newly invoked, it DEFAULTS to the SAME WRONG location.
>
> 1. I start Firefox from scratch on Windows
> 2. I go to any web site, e.g., I type "butterfly" into
> images.google.com 3. I choose the first hit to download
> http://www.meijergardens.org/storage/images/content5-hatching.jpg
> 4. Darn Firefox DEFAULTS to the WRONG location every time
> Save image as:
> c:\data\software\free\games\trail\universe_sandbox\trial\
>
> This has been happening for as long as I can remember and it's driving
> me crazy because I can't figure out WHERE that default comes from.
You should be able to change the default by going to
> Firefox 45 on Windows is set to forget all history and also to
> ask the user where to download files but EVERY time Firefox
> is newly invoked, it DEFAULTS to the SAME WRONG location.
>
> 1. I start Firefox from scratch on Windows
> 2. I go to any web site, e.g., I type "butterfly" into
> images.google.com 3. I choose the first hit to download
> http://www.meijergardens.org/storage/images/content5-hatching.jpg
> 4. Darn Firefox DEFAULTS to the WRONG location every time
> Save image as:
> c:\data\software\free\games\trail\universe_sandbox\trial\
>
> This has been happening for as long as I can remember and it's driving
> me crazy because I can't figure out WHERE that default comes from.
Options/Preferences » General » Downloads. Click the radio button
labeled 'Save files to' then the 'Browse' button and navigate to your
preferred default location. Then click the radio button to change the
setting back to 'Always ask me where to save files'.
If that doesn't work, I would try entering
about:config?filter=%2Fbrowser.download.*(%5BFf%5Dolder%7C%5BDd%5Dir)%2F
into the address bar, then clicking to get past the warning. You
should see a short list of configuration variables having to do with
download location behavior -- right-click each one to reset it to its
default, then restart Firefox and go back to
Options/Preferences » General » Downloads where you can then hopefully
get the settings you want to work.
Henning Schröder
Jun 22, 2016, 3:43:12 PM6/22/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
»Q« auf Wed, 22 Jun 2016 10:28:12 -0500 geschrieben ...
> If that doesn't work, I would try entering
>
> about:config?filter=%2Fbrowser.download.*(%5BFf%5Dolder%7C%5BDd%5Dir)%2F
That wasn't the problem, but your advice to look in the about:config for
"browser.download" pointed out the problem!
The problem was the "browser.download.lastDir" setting!
Here's the solution: http://i67.tinypic.com/mm3q4o.gif
Thanks for your advice!
> If that doesn't work, I would try entering
>
> about:config?filter=%2Fbrowser.download.*(%5BFf%5Dolder%7C%5BDd%5Dir)%2F
"browser.download" pointed out the problem!
The problem was the "browser.download.lastDir" setting!
Here's the solution: http://i67.tinypic.com/mm3q4o.gif
Thanks for your advice!
Henning Schröder
Jun 22, 2016, 3:43:12 PM6/22/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
Henning Schröder auf Tue, 21 Jun 2016 00:12:33 -0500 geschrieben ...
> Firefox 45 on Windows is set to forget all history and also to
> ask the user where to download files but EVERY time Firefox
> is newly invoked, it DEFAULTS to the SAME WRONG location
Thanks for all your help.
This problem has been solved.
The solution was to change the (apparently) static setting for
"browser.download.lastDir".
Here is a snapshot of that solution:
http://i67.tinypic.com/mm3q4o.gif
It's surprising that a "lastDir" is a static (aka permanent) setting,
but this setting seems to survive multiple sessions intact.
If that's true, it's really *not* a lastDir; it's more like a
default place to start when asking where to download files to.
As such, it should be more correctly named something like:
"browser.download.defaultAskDir".
> Firefox 45 on Windows is set to forget all history and also to
> ask the user where to download files but EVERY time Firefox
> is newly invoked, it DEFAULTS to the SAME WRONG location
This problem has been solved.
The solution was to change the (apparently) static setting for
"browser.download.lastDir".
Here is a snapshot of that solution:
http://i67.tinypic.com/mm3q4o.gif
It's surprising that a "lastDir" is a static (aka permanent) setting,
but this setting seems to survive multiple sessions intact.
If that's true, it's really *not* a lastDir; it's more like a
default place to start when asking where to download files to.
As such, it should be more correctly named something like:
"browser.download.defaultAskDir".
J. P. Gilliver (John)
Jun 22, 2016, 5:43:09 PM6/22/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
In message
<mailman.186.1466607750...@lists.mozilla.org>,
Henning Schröder <henning.schroder@1&1.de> writes:
[]
In my case, it doesn't _have_ a *single* default location-for-asking -
and it _doesn't_ start asking at the last location I saved to, either.
My best guess is that it has _several_ start-ask locations, one for each
website I save from (not sure where it would start if I saved from a
website I haven't saved from before) - but I could be wrong; it's just
that when I do do a save, I'm often wondering "why is it suggesting
there", and "because that's where you last saved something from that
website" seemed a possible answer.
(Also I'm using an old Firefox: 26.)
Britain's most successful film director." Powell or Pressburger? no; Richard
Attenborough? no; Nick Park!
<mailman.186.1466607750...@lists.mozilla.org>,
Henning Schröder <henning.schroder@1&1.de> writes:
[]
>I don't really know if it's Windows or Firefox that has that default
>location for asking setting.
>
(I think you've found out since you wrote the above.)
>location for asking setting.
>
In my case, it doesn't _have_ a *single* default location-for-asking -
and it _doesn't_ start asking at the last location I saved to, either.
My best guess is that it has _several_ start-ask locations, one for each
website I save from (not sure where it would start if I saved from a
website I haven't saved from before) - but I could be wrong; it's just
that when I do do a save, I'm often wondering "why is it suggesting
there", and "because that's where you last saved something from that
website" seemed a possible answer.
(Also I'm using an old Firefox: 26.)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
"... four Oscars, and two further nominations ... On these criteria, he's
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
Britain's most successful film director." Powell or Pressburger? no; Richard
Attenborough? no; Nick Park!
»Q«
Jun 22, 2016, 5:58:22 PM6/22/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
In
<news:mailman.201.1466624585...@lists.mozilla.org>,
does change every time I save a download to a different location, as it
should.
As long as you're happy with the situation you've got now, I
wouldn't bother with more troubleshooting, but if it bothers you you
might have a look at the SUMO article about settings not being
changed/stored properly,
<https://support.mozilla.org/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save>.
<news:mailman.201.1466624585...@lists.mozilla.org>,
Henning Schröder <henning.schroder@1&1.de> wrote:
> Henning Schröder auf Tue, 21 Jun 2016 00:12:33 -0500 geschrieben ...
>
> > Firefox 45 on Windows is set to forget all history and also to
> > ask the user where to download files but EVERY time Firefox
> > is newly invoked, it DEFAULTS to the SAME WRONG location
>
> Thanks for all your help.
> This problem has been solved.
>
> The solution was to change the (apparently) static setting for
> "browser.download.lastDir".
>
> Here is a snapshot of that solution:
> http://i67.tinypic.com/mm3q4o.gif
>
> It's surprising that a "lastDir" is a static (aka permanent) setting,
> but this setting seems to survive multiple sessions intact.
It isn't a permanent setting, except apparently for you. For me, it
> Henning Schröder auf Tue, 21 Jun 2016 00:12:33 -0500 geschrieben ...
>
> > Firefox 45 on Windows is set to forget all history and also to
> > ask the user where to download files but EVERY time Firefox
> > is newly invoked, it DEFAULTS to the SAME WRONG location
>
> Thanks for all your help.
> This problem has been solved.
>
> The solution was to change the (apparently) static setting for
> "browser.download.lastDir".
>
> Here is a snapshot of that solution:
> http://i67.tinypic.com/mm3q4o.gif
>
> It's surprising that a "lastDir" is a static (aka permanent) setting,
> but this setting seems to survive multiple sessions intact.
does change every time I save a download to a different location, as it
should.
As long as you're happy with the situation you've got now, I
wouldn't bother with more troubleshooting, but if it bothers you you
might have a look at the SUMO article about settings not being
changed/stored properly,
<https://support.mozilla.org/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save>.
Good Guy
Jun 22, 2016, 6:16:55 PM6/22/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
On 22/06/2016 22:57, »Q« wrote:
It isn't a permanent setting, except apparently for you. For me, it does change every time I save a download to a different location, as it should.
My settings is like this:
In this settings, FF always remembers my last location.
In this settings, FF always remembers my last location.
--
Paul in Houston, TX
Jun 22, 2016, 6:23:19 PM6/22/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
Henning Schröder wrote:
> Henning Schröder auf Tue, 21 Jun 2016 00:12:33 -0500 geschrieben ...
>
>> Firefox 45 on Windows is set to forget all history and also to
>> ask the user where to download files but EVERY time Firefox
>> is newly invoked, it DEFAULTS to the SAME WRONG location
>
> Thanks for all your help.
> This problem has been solved.
>
> The solution was to change the (apparently) static setting for
> "browser.download.lastDir".
What do you have for:
> Henning Schröder auf Tue, 21 Jun 2016 00:12:33 -0500 geschrieben ...
>
>> Firefox 45 on Windows is set to forget all history and also to
>> ask the user where to download files but EVERY time Firefox
>> is newly invoked, it DEFAULTS to the SAME WRONG location
>
> Thanks for all your help.
> This problem has been solved.
>
> The solution was to change the (apparently) static setting for
> "browser.download.lastDir".
browser.download.dir ???
and
browser.download.lastLocation ???
Henning Schröder
Jun 22, 2016, 9:24:33 PM6/22/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
J. P. Gilliver (John) auf Wed, 22 Jun 2016 22:39:19 +0100 geschrieben ...
> (I think you've found out since you wrote the above.)
>
> In my case, it doesn't _have_ a *single* default location-for-asking -
> and it _doesn't_ start asking at the last location I saved to, either.
> My best guess is that it has _several_ start-ask locations, one for each
> website I save from (not sure where it would start if I saved from a
> website I haven't saved from before) - but I could be wrong; it's just
> that when I do do a save, I'm often wondering "why is it suggesting
> there", and "because that's where you last saved something from that
> website" seemed a possible answer.
I think mine works the same as yours *within* a session, which is that
Firefox *remembers* the last place I saved something, and suggests that
place first when I save another file.
Sometimes it suggests a *different* location, which, I think, is because
Firefox, I think, might save a separate last-saved location for each file
type (e.g., pdf might have one location, exe another).
I'm not sure exactly, but one difference between me and most people is that
I tell firefox to forget as much as I can find a setting for within Firefox.
So, from a new session start, I want firefox to forget everything it ever
knew.
Of course, since I have it ASK where to save things, it has to default to
*somewhere*, which is why I set that default to c:\tmp which is an
innocuous location on purpose.
It would be nice to know *how* Firefox suggests one location for PDF files
and another location for exe files and yet another location for PPT files,
etc. within a session, because I might have to change those settings to
c:\tmp also.
> (I think you've found out since you wrote the above.)
>
> In my case, it doesn't _have_ a *single* default location-for-asking -
> and it _doesn't_ start asking at the last location I saved to, either.
> My best guess is that it has _several_ start-ask locations, one for each
> website I save from (not sure where it would start if I saved from a
> website I haven't saved from before) - but I could be wrong; it's just
> that when I do do a save, I'm often wondering "why is it suggesting
> there", and "because that's where you last saved something from that
> website" seemed a possible answer.
Firefox *remembers* the last place I saved something, and suggests that
place first when I save another file.
Sometimes it suggests a *different* location, which, I think, is because
Firefox, I think, might save a separate last-saved location for each file
type (e.g., pdf might have one location, exe another).
I'm not sure exactly, but one difference between me and most people is that
I tell firefox to forget as much as I can find a setting for within Firefox.
So, from a new session start, I want firefox to forget everything it ever
knew.
Of course, since I have it ASK where to save things, it has to default to
*somewhere*, which is why I set that default to c:\tmp which is an
innocuous location on purpose.
It would be nice to know *how* Firefox suggests one location for PDF files
and another location for exe files and yet another location for PPT files,
etc. within a session, because I might have to change those settings to
c:\tmp also.
Henning Schröder
Jun 22, 2016, 9:29:08 PM6/22/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
Paul in Houston, TX auf Wed, 22 Jun 2016 17:22:14 -0500 geschrieben ...
> What do you have for:
> browser.download.dir ???
> and
> browser.download.lastLocation ???
I'm using Firefox 47.0 on Windows, and here are *all* the "browser.download" settings:
http://i.cubeupload.com/cJrXyB.gif
If someone can suggest better settings than those, I'm all ears.
My only goal is for Firefox to work while forgetting *everything* it knows
once the session is closed. That way, each startup is unpolluted.
> What do you have for:
> browser.download.dir ???
> and
> browser.download.lastLocation ???
http://i.cubeupload.com/cJrXyB.gif
If someone can suggest better settings than those, I'm all ears.
My only goal is for Firefox to work while forgetting *everything* it knows
once the session is closed. That way, each startup is unpolluted.
VanguardLH
Jun 22, 2016, 10:00:51 PM6/22/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
FF to ask for a location, what location is shown (greyed out) in the
option of where to save? You may have to choose the option to always
save in the same location, change the location (to whatever you want as
default), and then switch to the Ask option.
VanguardLH
Jun 22, 2016, 10:01:08 PM6/22/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
so I don't run into the problem you had.
The Mozillazine article that I mentioned before describes the purpose of
that setting (http://kb.mozillazine.org/About:config_entries#Browser).
It's not defined (doesn't exist) in my FF setup.
Henning Schröder
Jun 23, 2016, 2:40:48 AM6/23/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
VanguardLH auf Wed, 22 Jun 2016 16:15:02 -0500 geschrieben ...
> See my reply accidentally submitted against Gilliver. Despite you set
> FF to ask for a location, what location is shown (greyed out) in the
> option of where to save? You may have to choose the option to always
> save in the same location, change the location (to whatever you want as
> default), and then switch to the Ask option.
The location that is shown is the "browser.download.lastDir".
Here is a snapshot of what is now working fine:
http://i67.tinypic.com/mm3q4o.gif
I think for most of you, your Firefox will default to the *last* location
you saved that MIME type file at.
But since my firefox is set to forget everything it ever knew each time
it is closed down, it defaults to the "browser.download.lastDir" which
seems to be a static setting that does *not* change within a sesson.
I agree that's an odd conclusion for something named
"browser.download.lastDir"
It's really misnamed.
It should be named something like "browser.download.defaultAskDir"
> See my reply accidentally submitted against Gilliver. Despite you set
> FF to ask for a location, what location is shown (greyed out) in the
> option of where to save? You may have to choose the option to always
> save in the same location, change the location (to whatever you want as
> default), and then switch to the Ask option.
Here is a snapshot of what is now working fine:
http://i67.tinypic.com/mm3q4o.gif
I think for most of you, your Firefox will default to the *last* location
you saved that MIME type file at.
But since my firefox is set to forget everything it ever knew each time
it is closed down, it defaults to the "browser.download.lastDir" which
seems to be a static setting that does *not* change within a sesson.
I agree that's an odd conclusion for something named
"browser.download.lastDir"
It's really misnamed.
It should be named something like "browser.download.defaultAskDir"
J. P. Gilliver (John)
Jun 23, 2016, 6:09:41 PM6/23/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
In message
<mailman.210.1466645066...@lists.mozilla.org>,
then later instigate another save, and the location is starts by
offering is _not_ where I saved the first one.
start-ask) the location I last saved to _from that website_, but your
suggestion that it might be the last location I saved _that filetype_ to
sounds more plausible [since I already know it has per-type settings,
such as what application to open with]. I'll have to keep an eye on it.
even when you select Ask, it has to start somewhere.)
somewhere. (If it is as I thought it might be, it'd have to maintain a
per-website table.) If you find out, do share!
<mailman.210.1466645066...@lists.mozilla.org>,
Henning Schröder <henning.schroder@1&1.de> writes:
>J. P. Gilliver (John) auf Wed, 22 Jun 2016 22:39:19 +0100 geschrieben ...
>
>> (I think you've found out since you wrote the above.)
>>
>> In my case, it doesn't _have_ a *single* default location-for-asking -
>> and it _doesn't_ start asking at the last location I saved to, either.
>> My best guess is that it has _several_ start-ask locations, one for each
>> website I save from (not sure where it would start if I saved from a
>> website I haven't saved from before) - but I could be wrong; it's just
>> that when I do do a save, I'm often wondering "why is it suggesting
>> there", and "because that's where you last saved something from that
>> website" seemed a possible answer.
>
>I think mine works the same as yours *within* a session, which is that
>Firefox *remembers* the last place I saved something, and suggests that
>place first when I save another file.
No, that's just what I've caught mine _not_ doing: I save something,
>J. P. Gilliver (John) auf Wed, 22 Jun 2016 22:39:19 +0100 geschrieben ...
>
>> (I think you've found out since you wrote the above.)
>>
>> In my case, it doesn't _have_ a *single* default location-for-asking -
>> and it _doesn't_ start asking at the last location I saved to, either.
>> My best guess is that it has _several_ start-ask locations, one for each
>> website I save from (not sure where it would start if I saved from a
>> website I haven't saved from before) - but I could be wrong; it's just
>> that when I do do a save, I'm often wondering "why is it suggesting
>> there", and "because that's where you last saved something from that
>> website" seemed a possible answer.
>
>I think mine works the same as yours *within* a session, which is that
>Firefox *remembers* the last place I saved something, and suggests that
>place first when I save another file.
then later instigate another save, and the location is starts by
offering is _not_ where I saved the first one.
>
>Sometimes it suggests a *different* location, which, I think, is because
>Firefox, I think, might save a separate last-saved location for each file
>type (e.g., pdf might have one location, exe another).
Interesting hypothesis. I'd begun to get the feeling it offered (as
>Sometimes it suggests a *different* location, which, I think, is because
>Firefox, I think, might save a separate last-saved location for each file
>type (e.g., pdf might have one location, exe another).
start-ask) the location I last saved to _from that website_, but your
suggestion that it might be the last location I saved _that filetype_ to
sounds more plausible [since I already know it has per-type settings,
such as what application to open with]. I'll have to keep an eye on it.
>
>I'm not sure exactly, but one difference between me and most people is that
>I tell firefox to forget as much as I can find a setting for within Firefox.
>
>So, from a new session start, I want firefox to forget everything it ever
>knew.
>
>Of course, since I have it ASK where to save things, it has to default to
>*somewhere*, which is why I set that default to c:\tmp which is an
>innocuous location on purpose.
(Yes, some of those genuinely trying to help us haven't grasped that,
>I'm not sure exactly, but one difference between me and most people is that
>I tell firefox to forget as much as I can find a setting for within Firefox.
>
>So, from a new session start, I want firefox to forget everything it ever
>knew.
>
>Of course, since I have it ASK where to save things, it has to default to
>*somewhere*, which is why I set that default to c:\tmp which is an
>innocuous location on purpose.
even when you select Ask, it has to start somewhere.)
>
>It would be nice to know *how* Firefox suggests one location for PDF files
>and another location for exe files and yet another location for PPT files,
>etc. within a session, because I might have to change those settings to
>c:\tmp also.
>
If it is as you say, it must maintain a per-type table of save locations
>It would be nice to know *how* Firefox suggests one location for PDF files
>and another location for exe files and yet another location for PPT files,
>etc. within a session, because I might have to change those settings to
>c:\tmp also.
>
somewhere. (If it is as I thought it might be, it'd have to maintain a
per-website table.) If you find out, do share!
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
Web Voyager
Jun 27, 2016, 11:24:58 AM6/27/16
to mozilla-sup...@lists.mozilla.org
wanted saved in the last place I chose to save. Don't think anyone
brought this up. Don't remember where I finally found it but Firefox was
defaulting to Save Per Site. Had to add a Boolean:
browser.download.lastDir.savePerSite and set it to False
so Firefox would save to last selected folder regardless of the source Site.
WebVger
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