Managing bookmarks, browsing history, and downloads in Edge on Windows 10
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I recently installed Edge Chromium and found that the program has inherited the Chrome method of downloading files, wherein the file automatically downloads to the downloads folder (or other selected folder), then gives the user the option to open the file or open the file location folder.
I much prefer the old IE/Edge download file method with the open vs save option pop-up window that allowed the user to open the file (to a temp location) or save/save-as the file to a location specified by the user at the time of download, all of which occurred before the file is downloaded locally.
The Chrome download method is one of the reasons I never switched to Chrome in the first place, and now it appears we have lost the old IE/Edge method. The Chrome method leads to many unnecessary downloads in a non-temp folder location, bloating my storage. I've turned on the option in Edge Chromium to "ask where to save file before download", but it only works intermittently and still doesn't allow the user to open the file to a temp location for files the user doesn't plan to save long term (i.e. for files I only want to print, not save).
How do we get Microsoft to add the old IE/Edge download method back? Seems like a very simple code. I know that Edge Chromium accepts extensions, can someone with the appropriate skills build an extension to add back the functionality?
Thanks,
NSR
Managing bookmarks, browsing history, and downloads in Edge on Windows 10
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
"save" button has a drop down menu that displays only "save"
Please look again. If you click on the left-hand part of that button avoiding the dropdown chevron ˅ , do you not get a Save as dialogue?
You might submit feedback to the effect that the downloads flyout is too narrow to permit the display of more than the first few characters of Enregistrer comme ...
Yes, many people do use Downloads for long-term storage (including myself until recently), and activating the auto-clean function would make that impossible. And yes, the functionality we're asking for would be simplest if MS would re-build the Open / Save / Save As dialogue. But until that happens, I think it is relatively easy to find a new place for long-term storage and take advantage of the auto-cleaning function that's available for the Downloads folder. I don't mind using picking my long-term storage folder for drivers, program files and the like when I need to, and letting Downloads handle the stuff I don't want to keep. (After all, the Downloads folder didn't even exist until relatively recently in the history of Windows, so people who remember life without it could revert to whatever their previous method was for long-term file management).
I also endorse the approach recommended by iFiredog, which just takes advantage of a different auto-cleaning function.
I thought the question was "is there an easy way to automatically download and open files in a folder that is periodically auto-cleaned?"
Lobbying MS to re-implement old functionality is fine, but I'll take a nice work-around before I start holding by breath.
Not sure is anyone tried Smittychat's solution but it DID WORK FOR ME! Instead of asking me where it wants to save the file, the PDF pops up at the bottom above the task bar now. It does however automatically save the file to the downloads folder but you can change the path to a new folder and just delete that folder later. (click 3 dots>settings>downloads>change. Create a new folder where ever you want) I stumbled across another trick too! I work in data entry. Therefore, I'm a shortcut keyboard guy and I hate using the mouse excessively and I have to repeat the process over and over again! Anyway, after you've done the steps below, the PDF will pop up above the task bar, press F6, (this takes you to it) then press tab (this selects it) press the space bar (this opens it). It's weird but it works! Ctrl P opens it, Space Bar or Enter prints it, then press Ctrl Q to close it. Boom! You've opened, printed, and closed the PDF without touching your mouse!
To stop the auto save box from appearing: In Edge Chromium, Click the 3 dots>settings>downloads. Where it says: Ask where to save each file before downloading…uncheck that box.
NOTE: This only works with the new Edge Chromium. Not the older version of Edge. I actually like this better because I cannot find a keyboard shortcut to the "Open" button when the Open/Save/Run dialog pops up. F6 doesn't make it jump down there like it does with Edge Chromium.
I know MS folks are following these posts, I fear suggesting "simple" but "not for everyone" workarounds. MS managers may decide "there is a workaround so we don't have to do any work". I have seen it happen too many times. Managers in EVERY business prefer the path of least expense. Fixing software IS expensive. They have to beware of the bottom line. Stockholders don't care about how well the software works, only what their dividend will be. Don't give mgmt an excuse to do nothing, because that is what they will do!!!!
Keep asking MS to give us the old save/save as/open (open implies save to c:\temp).