Mildly annoying download problem in Windows XP

[Gustavus]

I use the built in Windows download. In normal use a window opens asking if you wish to save or run a file. If you select save. it then gives you a chance to choose the folder the file is to be saved in. I have a desktop folder named Downloads (How's that for originality?) into which all downloads are saved. For all the time I have used the Windows download it has remembered the folder to download to -- although it gives you a chance to change it each time.

Recently it has started randomly chosing My documents on it's own. The first time that happened I had to search for the file I had just downloaded. Now I have learned to watch and see if the line at the top of the page has been changed from Downloads to My Documents. I would say that happens around once in ten downloads.

Not a big deal, only a minor annoyance, but I hate to have a machine doing something I don't understand.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[C1]

Just direct your browser to save downloads to location of choice (eg, FF is Tools => Options => Main => Save Files to: Desktop [or Browse]).

 

[Gustavus]

Thanks for the response C1, but I am unable to follow your instructions. Clicking on Tools in the browser opens a menu in which there is no Options tab. There is an Internet Options tab, but it does not have a Main etc.

The problem is that the downloader will "remember" the folder you last downloaded to -- most of the time. Occasionally, and for no reason I can figure out, it switches to My Documents. Like I said, maybe once in ten downloads and random as to when it switches the download destination on it's own

 

[Devilpapaya]

Sounds like you're using Internet Explorer, C1 was giving directions for Firefox. Did a little research, looks like changing the default downloads directory for IE is a little more difficult than most web browsers.

1. Open up registry editory (run>regedit) and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
2. Look for a registry Key (in the right pane, with the Internet Explorer file highlighted) called Download Directory
3. If it doesn't exist, create it (right click > new > string value)
4. Right-Click and select modify
5. Type in the directory you want the downloads to default to (i.e. c:\users\<name>\desktop\download.

hope it helps.

 

[Gustavus]

Devilpapaya

Thanks for the reply. Appreciate the info that C1's instructions were for Firefox. I should have said I use Internet Explorer.

When I go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer

the entry in Download Directory is:

C:|Documents and Settings\Gustavus\Desktop\Downloads

which I think is just what it should be. Still about one time in ten it tries to save in My Documents -- and does if I don't catch it and change the destination before downloading.

Damn software interprets a : followed by a \ as a smiley

 

[Devilpapaya]

Hmmmmm, sounds like it might be a bug in IE, can't think of any other reason for something like that to happen. Few default things you could try:
1) Reset browser (IE>Internet Options>Advanced>reset) Then reapply your settings
2) Make sure you have the latest IE updates downloaded and installed
3) Install Firefox (or other 3rd party browser of choice) and see if it gives you the same problem.
4) Contact MS to see if there's a know bug/fix; just be careful how you contact them as they might try charging you for the support.

Again, those are just some default fixes that might help; cus I'm out of ideas.