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Drag and drop downloaded files doesn't work

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  • 1 nwere nsogbu anwere nsogbu a
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  • Nzaghachi ikpeazụ nke niktr

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Why can't i Drag and Drop files i've downloaded from Firefox To Windows Explorer or the Desktop? It was working a few months ago... I've tried run as admin, tried -no-deelevate... they don't work.

Why can't i Drag and Drop files i've downloaded from Firefox To Windows Explorer or the Desktop? It was working a few months ago... I've tried run as admin, tried -no-deelevate... they don't work.

All Replies (15)

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Hi niktr,

I am sorry to hear that you are having issues with the drag drop feature in Firefox.

You could try enabling User Account Controls :

  1. Right click your Windows icon -> click Search - > type UAC
  2. Drag the slider to Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer (default) and click OK

To troubleshoot this error further : Drag and Drop errors - How to Fix

Let me if I could further help

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there's a reason i have that disabled. I would like NOT to enable it and still have full functionality. would rolling back the update fix it permanently? or do i have to use another browser now?

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Hi niktr, I'm not aware of a change between Firefox 68 and 69.

How are you using -no-deelevate -- have you added it to the shortcut you use to start Firefox? And does the problem occur in windows you launched from that shortcut?

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If this isn't working then maybe try to disable the launcher process, at your own risk

  • browser.launcherProcess.enabled
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jscher2000 said

Hi niktr, I'm not aware of a change between Firefox 68 and 69. How are you using -no-deelevate -- have you added it to the shortcut you use to start Firefox? And does the problem occur in windows you launched from that shortcut?


Shortcut. But defender marked it as a security risk and it got deleted

Edeziri site na niktr

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cor-el said

If this isn't working then maybe try to disable the launcher process, at your own risk
  • browser.launcherProcess.enabled


In about:config ? I'll give it a try.

The risk is negligible. My PC is secure enough. There's literally nothing that could go wrong.

Edeziri site na niktr

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seems to be working fine... for now.

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well... "for now" was the right choice of words. Stopped working again. This time in the reverse. Fuck it, im using another browser. This kind of invasive, no-consent bullshit is the best way to lose a lot of popularity fast.

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niktr said

well... "for now" was the right choice of words. Stopped working again. This time in the reverse.

What do you mean by "in the reverse" -- you can drag and drop from Firefox to File Explorer with the launcher process disabled, but you can't drag and drop from File Explorer to Firefox? That would imply Firefox is now running with a higher privilege level than File Explorer for some reason. ???

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jscher2000 said

niktr said
well... "for now" was the right choice of words. Stopped working again. This time in the reverse.

What do you mean by "in the reverse" -- you can drag and drop from Firefox to File Explorer with the launcher process disabled, but you can't drag and drop from File Explorer to Firefox? That would imply Firefox is now running with a higher privilege level than File Explorer for some reason. ???

exactly. I can't drop even simple Text files into Firefox... Petition to rename this version Firefox76

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niktr said

jscher2000 said
niktr said
well... "for now" was the right choice of words. Stopped working again. This time in the reverse.

What do you mean by "in the reverse" -- you can drag and drop from Firefox to File Explorer with the launcher process disabled, but you can't drag and drop from File Explorer to Firefox? That would imply Firefox is now running with a higher privilege level than File Explorer for some reason. ???

exactly. I can't drop even simple Text files into Firefox... Petition to rename this version Firefox76

Somehow your Firefox is running with higher privileges than Windows Explorer. By default, the Firefox 68 launcher process integrates with UAC and equalizes the privileges by having Windows Explorer launch Firefox. When you override UAC, the launcher process will start Firefox with reduced privileges, so Windows blocks drag/drop to Windows Explorer. When you override that by disabling the launcher process or using -no-deelevate, you usually end up back in the position that they have equal privileges. I don't know how you got Firefox with higher privileges than Windows Explorer.

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jscher2000 said

niktr said
jscher2000 said
niktr said
well... "for now" was the right choice of words. Stopped working again. This time in the reverse.

What do you mean by "in the reverse" -- you can drag and drop from Firefox to File Explorer with the launcher process disabled, but you can't drag and drop from File Explorer to Firefox? That would imply Firefox is now running with a higher privilege level than File Explorer for some reason. ???

exactly. I can't drop even simple Text files into Firefox... Petition to rename this version Firefox76

Somehow your Firefox is running with higher privileges than Windows Explorer. By default, the Firefox 68 launcher process integrates with UAC and equalizes the privileges by having Windows Explorer launch Firefox. When you override UAC, the launcher process will start Firefox with reduced privileges, so Windows blocks drag/drop to Windows Explorer. When you override that by disabling the launcher process or using -no-deelevate, you usually end up back in the position that they have equal privileges. I don't know how you got Firefox with higher privileges than Windows Explorer.

could it be an Ownership issue? Because im administrator, Firefox is owned by Admin and has full control. Windows Explorer is owned by TrustedInstaller and doesn't have admin permissions.

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Explorer Permissions Firefox Permissions

i still think NONE of this would be an issue if Firefox didn't push this stupid Launcher update. Without consultation, choice or permission it just changed how the app functions. It's like driving a car and all of a sudden it downloads an update that downgrades your engine. Of course the obvious action would be to ditch the car. What in hell were they thinking.

Edeziri site na niktr

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Hi niktr, I'm not familiar with "TrustedInstaller". ??

I think Windows Explorer launches under the current logged in user's permissions, so if UAC is off (to the extent Win10 allows that), I don't know why it would be running at a different integrity level than other applications (or Firefox with -no-deelevate). Where are the UAC experts?

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TrustedInstaller is Microsoft's maintenance API or whatever on the PC. It's basically the root user, so to speak. It's what they use to download, install and remove updates as well as other service functions. It usually has admin rights, but i guess with UAC disabled, it's downgraded to regular user. Which is weird since Microsoft have been known to use it to Bypass Administrator account permissions.