Automatic downloads in IE under XP

[aplusc]

This is a silly newbie question, but does anyone know how to disable automatic downloads in IE?

For example, yesterday I downloaded a 300 MB file, which IE saved to a "Temporary Folder". I did not have time to install the program I downloaded then so I just forgot about it. Sure enough, when I boot up my machine today, everything in the temporary folder is wiped out. Now I have to spend another 2 hours downloading it!

Not only that but sometimes (most of the time, actually) I want to save the files I download! And I want to choose where to download them to, of course.

Does anyone know how I can disable this annoying feature?'

Thanks.

 

[gargouille]

Not sure I completely understand your problem...but a way to save the cache when you exit IE is to UNCHECK the empty Internet Explorer cache...it's under Tools/Internet Options/Advanced....and under Security (assuming you're in IE when you do this)
Getting to this you've gone past the settings for enabling/disabling Automatic downloading under Browsing...just uncheck whichever boxes apply.

 

[gargouille]

I've thought more about what you said and what I did with it...and see that the part I told you about going past the settings for enabling download was BOGUSS BS...I was seeing Install and mistaking that for download...(need to take a breather).
I'm thinking you need to have automatic downloads enabled...I may be wrong, but that's under tools/internet options/security. With it enabled I'm able to redirect the download to a "Download" folder and into another folder in that 1 that keeps me in the know about what's in it.

Instead of just clicking on the download link to complete it...right click and choose save target as and direct it to a folder in the download directory you create. (It's the only way I can keep what I download straight...once in awhile I go back to it and utilize things I've downloaded but not tried or delete them if I decide against it.)
Hopefully I've helped...even tho I did muddy the water considerably.

I also like to keep the cache cleaned out and my preference is to empty it when IE exits...but that's just me

 

[linney]

This check box is in Tools/ Internet Options/ Advanced/ Browsing, of IE6.

"Automatically check for Internet Explorer updates"

Specifies to check the Web to see if a newer version of Internet Explorer is available. If you select this, approximately every 30 days Internet Explorer will check the Web for a newer version, notify you when one is available, and ask whether you want to download it.

Also right click on the My Computer icon and select properties then Automatic Updates. Have a look at the check boxes there.


These are old MSKB articles but they might be worth looking at.

Not Prompted to Specify Download Folder for File (Q177976)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q177/9/76.asp

Cannot Specify Default Download Folder in Internet Explorer (Q159859)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q159/8/59.asp

As far as the 300mb download that you lost, this may still be on your computer somewhere. Try using the System Restore program to go back to a point just after you downloaded it. You could also use the Search program to look for it if you remember the exact file name, or use it to look for any 300mb file on your machine. It might even be in the Recycle bin. Even if you don't have a restore point to go back to, there may be a 300mb file sitting in the System Restore folder.

 

[gargouille]

Yeah I did misunderstand your question....apologies!

 

[aplusc]

I'm sorry I made my question so confusing

Yes my problem was basically "Not Prompted to Specify Download Folder for File". Thanks for you help guys!