Cant download exe files to desktop, other files work
Everytime i try to download an .exe file, the download reaches the end and then just says "failed" and leaves the .part file on the desktop. The desktop is my default save directory for downloads. All other downloaded file types work fine.
If i change the directory to another directory or even a subdirectory on the desktop, the .exe files download just fine.
This has only started happening recently and i have not changed anything else than updated to the latest Firefox version (50.1.0 release branch). I am not sure if .exe downloads have worked at all after the update as i cant remember if i had downloaded any .exe files but i suspect that the update caused this problem.
I havent tried the "refresh Firefox" yet because i'd rather not go through the trouble of reinstalling and reconfiguring my extensions.
All Replies (4)
It might be your protection programs. Why not put all downloads into a downloads folder, and place a shortcut to the folder on the desktop?
FredMcD said
It might be your protection programs. Why not put all downloads into a downloads folder, and place a shortcut to the folder on the desktop?
I guess i have to do that if i cant continue using the desktop. But i would really like to continue using the desktop as its dead simple to clean up once i'm done with a project.
I'm not sure how it could be my protection programs (Avast in this case) as they never had any problems with Firefox before and i was able to save everything straight to desktop.
EDIT: I did some more testing and it turns out that if i pause the download and then try to resume, it fails instantly and no matter how many times i try to resume, it always fails.
Also, after failing, when i try to delete the files, they reappear back on the desktop. I looked around and saw that the "system" process (pid 4) has a handle open on the files for a while and i cant delete or continue my download because of that. When the handle goes away, i can resume my download and/or delete the files. After resuming, it fails again at the end and the handle is reopened and i cant delete the files until the handle gets closed.
Modified by FFoxie
Very foolish to save any type of download to the "Desktop", unless you are deleting the .exe (and other file types) after you install the application. Saving large files to the "Desktop" can affect the load time for the "desktop" when you open the Logon User Account or "Switch user" and open another LUA. The "Desktop" is intended for "shortcuts" to applications or URL shortcuts, not for applications (installed or not). Typical desktop shortcut takes 4.0 KB of "Size on disk", not MB's as an application installer would be.
No idea why that is happening, but saving any type of file to the desktop is a poor habit to have, IMHO. Yes, I have done that and still do, but not for .exe files that I don't intend to use immediately; and then send the the Recycle Bin once the program is installed.
the-edmeister said
Very foolish to save any type of download to the "Desktop", unless you are deleting the .exe (and other file types) after you install the application. Saving large files to the "Desktop" can affect the load time for the "desktop" when you open the Logon User Account or "Switch user" and open another LUA. The "Desktop" is intended for "shortcuts" to applications or URL shortcuts, not for applications (installed or not). Typical desktop shortcut takes 4.0 KB of "Size on disk", not MB's as an application installer would be. No idea why that is happening, but saving any type of file to the desktop is a poor habit to have, IMHO. Yes, I have done that and still do, but not for .exe files that I don't intend to use immediately; and then send the the Recycle Bin once the program is installed.
Yes i know of the downsides of having big files on the desktop. The reason i save the downloads on to the desktop is that i can then quickly test/install them (incase of programs) or if its a music or picture file then i can quickly view it and if it is what i was looking for then i move it into a proper folder elsewhere.