Your Downloads panel and Library keep track of files you download while using Firefox. Learn how to manage your files and configure your download settings.
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You can access downloads from your current browsing session by clicking on the Downloads button (the down arrow on your toolbar). The arrow will appear blue to let you know there are unviewed downloaded files. During a download, the Downloads button gradually fills with color to show your download's progress. Download Mozilla Firefox, a free Web browser. Firefox is created by a global non-profit dedicated to putting individuals in control online. Get Firefox for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS today! Download Mozilla Firefox, a free Web browser. Firefox is created by a global non-profit dedicated to putting individuals in control online. Get Firefox for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS today!
- 2See downloads history
- 2.1Download protection
You can access downloads from your current browsing session by clicking on the Downloads button (the down arrow on your toolbar). The arrow will appear blue to let you know there are unviewed downloaded files.
- During a download, the Downloads button gradually fills with color to show your download's progress.
- Click on the Downloads button to open the Downloads panel. The Downloads panel displays your three most recently downloaded files, along with its size and download status:
- To see all of your downloads at any time, go to the Library by clicking on Show all Downloads at the bottom of the Downloads panel.
The Library displays information for all of your downloaded files, unless you've cleared them from your history.
- Click the Library button on your toolbar.
- Click Downloads in the drop-down menu.
- Click Show All Downloads at the bottom of the Downloads panel. The Library window will open showing a list of your downloaded files.
Download protection
Before beginning a download, Firefox will attempt to protect you from potentially malicious or unsafe downloads. See the Mozilla blog posts, 'Enhancing Download Protection in Firefox' and 'Improving Malware Detection in Firefox' for more information. If something is suspected, the download will not begin, but rather:
Potentially malicious downloads are detected using Google Safe Browsing Service. A red dot will appear on the Download arrow:
Click on the red-tagged Download arrow to open the Downloads panel. The file name will be displayed along with the warning message,
- This file contains a virus or malware.
Other files covered under download protection may be potentially unwanted downloads (explained in the Google Policy) that may make unexpected changes to your computer. Or, a download may not be malicious or unwanted but simply not commonly downloaded. A yellow dot will appear on the Download arrow:
Click on the yellow-tagged Download arrow to open the Downloads panel. The file name will be displayed with one of these warning messages:
- This file may harm your computer.
- This file is not commonly downloaded.
How do I handle unsafe downloads?
When you see a malicious file or other types of potentially unsafe files in the Downloads panel, click on the right-facing arrow to choose what to do with the file, as shown in this example:
You will be given more information about the type of unsafe file and the option to open or remove the file:
Tip: The (right-click) context menu includes other options for handling any potentially harmful or malicious files listed in the Downloads panel that are pending download:
For example: Right-clickHold down the control key while you click on one of the potentially unsafe files that are pending download and select Allow Download to save the file to your computer.
You can check on past downloads at any time. Click on the Downloads button (alternatively, click the Library button and then click Downloads) to open the Downloads panel. The Downloads panel displays your three most recently downloaded files, along with its size, source and download time.
You can manage your files directly in the Downloads panel or in your library. Options will appear to the right of each file during each stage of the download.
- Pause: You can pause any downloads currently in progress by right-clickingpressing Ctrl and clicking on the file and selecting Pause. When you want to continue downloading the file, right-clickpress Ctrl and click the file entry and select Resume.
- Cancel : If you no longer need to download a file, click the X button at the right of the file entry. This button turns into a refresh symbol; click it again to restart your download.
- Open the file: When a download has finished, you can click on the entry directly to open the file.
- Open Containing Folder : Once a file has finished downloading, the icon to the right of the file entry becomes a folder. Click the folder icon to open the folder that contains that file.Show In Finder : Once a file has finished downloading, the icon to the right of the file entry becomes a magnifying glass. Click the magnifying glass icon to show that file in the Finder. To set the folder where your downloads go, see Change where downloads are saved, below.
- Go to Download Page: Right-clickPress Ctrl and click on the file to bring up the menu. Choose this option to visit the webpage where the file came from.
- Remove the file's entry: If you do not wish to keep a record of a particular download, simply right-clickpress Ctrl and click the file entry, then select Remove From History. This will remove the entry from the list but will not delete the file itself.
- Retry a Download : If for any reason a file does not finish downloading, click the button to the right of the entry - a refresh symbol - to retry.
- Clear Downloads: Click the button at the top of the Library window to clear the entire history of downloaded items. This will not delete the downloaded files.
File downloads are saved in the folder specified in Firefox OptionsPreferences. To change that folder:
- Click the menu button and select ..
- In the General panel, find the Downloads section under Files and Applications.
- Click the button next to the Save files to entry.
- Choose the downloads folder you wish to use.
You can change what applications are used for handling downloads while browsing the Web:
How Do I Download Firefox On Macbook Pro
- Click the menu button and select ..
- In the General panel, scroll down to the Applications section.
- Click on the arrow under the Action column for the file type you wish to change and select the viewer you wish to use from the drop-down menu.
- Note that PDF files are viewed in Firefox by default.Note that some file types (XML, PDF, SVG, WebP Image) are opened in Firefox by default.
For more information, see Change what Firefox does when you click on or download a file.
I have been a Mac user for quite some time. There are three web browsers such as Safari, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox which I use the most on my Mac. While Safari is easily the top-notch choice for me, Chrome and Firefox are highly impressive as well.
I download a number of files regularly. By default, all the downloaded files are saved in the Download folders. But, what if you want to save any file to a specific location? You can easily change the download location on Mac.
We have already made a post on how to change Safari’s download location on Mac. And now, we are all set to walk you through the steps to change the download location in Chrome and Firefox. Let’s sail through!
How to Change Download Location in Chrome on Mac
Step #1. Launch Chrome on your Mac.
Step #2. Next up, you have to click on Menu icon from the top right corner.
Step #3. Click on Settings.
Step #4. Click on Show advanced settings and then scroll down to the “Downloads” section.
Step #5. Click on Change and select where you would want your downloaded files to be saved.
If want to choose a particular location for each download, you need to select the “Ask where to save each file before downloading” checkbox.
How to Change Download Folder in Mozilla Firefox on Mac
Step #1. Open Firefox on your Mac.
Step #2. Click on the menu icon from the top right corner.
Step #3. Select Preferences. (Alternately, you can also click on the Firefox menu at the top Mac bar, and then select Preferences.)
Step #4. Next, you have to click on Choose button at the far right.
Step #5. Now, you need to select the location that you want to set as the Default Download Location.
If you want to choose the download location each time you download, select Always ask me where to save files.
That’s it!
Which is your favorite web browser? How much do you use Safari on your Mac? Is Chrome the best in the world? Let us know your view in the comment section.
Where To Find And Manage Downloaded Files In Firefox ...
Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com who has a keen eye for news, rumors and all the unusual stuff that happens around Apple products. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting contents on social media.
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