Edge Chromium - Download File - Open vs. Save Option Pop-up Window

In the previous Edge, when we clicked on the file it would open in PDF/Excel and we could review. When done close the file and its gone. 

Every file has to be downloaded before it can be displayed on your computer. In older browsers, using the Open option simply downloaded the file to a temp folder. In many cases - and often very fortunately - such files are retained in the temp folder for some time, even a few days. This is why it is sometimes possible to recover a file that had been opened and then edited, but not saved by the user.

You might consider setting the default folder for downloads to %temp%, or perhaps a dedicated folder inside %temp%. This can then be emptied during routine maintenance, daily or weekly, say, or during the shutdown phase by virtue of a script to empty it.

If you have the Ask where to save ... option selected, you would only have to give input if you didn't want a downloaded file to end up in the temp folder.

Until we see the introduction of an Open | Save | Save As dialogue, here are some ideas and suggestions.

First, it's important to understand that no file can be opened, even if only for viewing, without downloading it first. The file has to exist on the computer before it can be opened on that computer.

As regards the choice between clutter in the downloads folder and losing stuff in the %temp% folder, it should be possible to achieve a compromise:

1. Create a new folder inside the %temp% folder 
     
   1. Open File Explorer (e.g. by pressing Windows key + E).
   2. On the View tab, ensure that Hidden items is selected in the Show/hide section of the ribbon.
   3. Click in the address bar and type (or copy and paste) this:

%localappdata%\temp... and press Enter.

  **** 4. On the Home tab, click New folder. Give it a suitable name (I call mine Temp downloads.) 5. Close File Explorer and return to Edge. 2. Set the new one as the default downloads folder

1. Click ⋯ (*Settings and more*) in the top right-hand corner, then select ⚙ *Settings*> ↓*Downloads*.
2. Change the *Location* for downloads.

3. Either:
   1. Switch on Ask where to save each file before downloadingThis calls for one extra click to confirm that the file should be saved in the default folder. Otherwise, it acts just like Save As.
   2. Switch off Ask where to save each file before downloading All downloads will be saved to the default folder.
4. If you often need only to open a file for viewing, or to extract some data from it, but you don't need to keep it:
   1. Find a link to a file you want Edge to open for you and click on it.

The so-called Download shelf (the blue bar in the screenshot below) will open at the foot of the screen with an Open filelink. 2. To the right of this link is another ellipsis (⋯) with more options. Click on it:

  ![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/bca2e0a9-9b51-48a4-8810-de5c1352677e?platform=QnA 3. Select Always open files of this typeand click Open file.

From now on, files of this type (in the example, Word files with the .docx extension) will open automatically when you click on a link to one. If you visit the Settings > Downloadspage again (step 2.1 above), you should see a new entry showing File types which are opened automatically after downloading.

Find another link and click on it to test whether this is working as you want it to.

The new default downloads folder will retain files only until they're removed along with other temporary files at the next scheduled or manual clean up. This gives a bit of grace for those who edit and save a downloaded file but forget to move it to a permanent home.

Yep, agree with you. every file needs to be downloaded. but having the same settings for two different situations makes it not so suitable. It has been working great all these years. I do not feel there should be an extension for a basic feature like this that been present and working well. Thus this humble request. It keeps things very simple. if you want to download a file you may do so by setting a predefined path or by providing a path everytime. If you do not want to download a file then the open button opens it in the system default application and deletes the file later on automatically. No troubles of manually opening it to removing it.

What do we need to do to get Microsoft to add back the old download functionality or have someone create a custom extension to add it back.  I'd do it myself if I knew how to code extensions, as it seems very straight forward.

Thanks,

NSR 

Use the Feedback link and Request these Features. Software/Developers do read this feedback. 

For Coding I'd recommend MSDN Forums. This is the Developer Forum and someone may assist with coding.

https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/home?category=&forum=&filter=&sort=relevancedesc&brandIgnore=true&searchTerm=Edge+Chromium

Technet IT members may assist with scripting code:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/home?category=&forum=&filter=&sort=relevancedesc&brandIgnore=true&searchTerm=Edge+Chromium

Scripting Forum

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/scriptcenter/en-US/home?category=scripting

More options:

Microsoft Edge Accessibility - User Feedback (many use this for Edge improvements)

Just is just an FYI - UserBox Sites - Members post Likes/Dislikes and Requests for Features to these web sites. Again, Support/Developers do read and reply to these threads.