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Problem trying to download videos from YouTube

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I'm using windows 11. Formerly, I was downloading videos from YouTube to folders on my virtual desktop, with no problem. When selected the video which I wanted to save, a window from File Explorer would open, and I could select where I wanted to store the file. I could select a folder I created, on the desktop, and the file would be saved exactly where I wanted it. Lately, the File Explorer window which opens up, has a different menu, which shows the cloud of One Drive, which wasn't there before, and the only selection for "desktop" is there. The downloads always fail, and I can't even find them on the cloud. The Microsoft techs claim that the problem is with FireFox. How do I get back to normal?

I'm using windows 11. Formerly, I was downloading videos from YouTube to folders on my virtual desktop, with no problem. When selected the video which I wanted to save, a window from File Explorer would open, and I could select where I wanted to store the file. I could select a folder I created, on the desktop, and the file would be saved exactly where I wanted it. Lately, the File Explorer window which opens up, has a different menu, which shows the cloud of One Drive, which wasn't there before, and the only selection for "desktop" is there. The downloads always fail, and I can't even find them on the cloud. The Microsoft techs claim that the problem is with FireFox. How do I get back to normal?

All Replies (4)

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I think Firefox would normally open to your default Downloads folder. You can check on that setting on the Settings page:https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/where-find-and-manage-downloaded-files-firefox#w_change-where-downloads-are-saved

If you notice this across your applications, that they want to save videos or other types of content in OneDrive instead of your Documents or Downloads folder, there is a system setting for that. In Googling around, it could be this one:

  • In the Windows 11 search box, type or paste storage settings and click the main result, which should open the Storage Settings control panel
  • Scroll down and click on "Advanced storage settings" to list specific categories
  • Click "Where new content is saved"
  • If there is a category which points to OneDrive, change it to your C drive (or if you prefer a different local drive, that drive)

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I really appreciate your efforts to solve my problem, and I tried your suggestions, but I still have the same problem.

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I just re-read your original question and you mentioned your virtual desktop. Is that something different than the user profile desktop at

  • %userProfile%\desktop
  • C:\Users\<username>\Desktop

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I only used that term to indicate the "desktop" on the C drive, as opposed to the mechanical desktop computer. Again, thank you for trying to help.

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