Files automatically saved to desktop

Question

Level 1

9 points

Files automatically saved to desktop

I've tried searching the forum, but couldn't find anything about my problem. When I open e-mail attachments from Yahoo web based e-mail, a file is automatically saved to my desktop. I then have to manually remove each file from the desktop. Is there any way to change this setting to prevent my desktop from filling up with these files?

Thanks!
Danielle

iBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on May 27, 2007 11:29 AM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

May 27, 2007 11:52 AM in response to Daniland

Safari (or any browser) usually saves downloads automatically to the Desktop unless you configure a separate location for them via the browser's preferences.

In Safari open Preferences and click on the General icon in the toolbar. Use the drop down menu where it says "Save downloaded files to:" to configure the location you prefer to use.

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Answer 2

Daniland Author

Level 1

9 points

May 27, 2007 12:25 PM in response to Kappy

I'm using Firefox, and I already have it set to ask me where to save downloaded files. The files that are being saved to the desktop are those that I am just viewing (not saving). When I close the files after viewing them, a file is saved on the desktop. It seems like these are temporary files???

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

May 27, 2007 12:34 PM in response to Daniland

I'm not a Firefox user nor do I use web mail. If these are indeed temp files and Firefox has no preference for dealing with them, then I'm not sure if you have any alternatives.

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Answer 4

Daniland Author

Level 1

9 points

May 27, 2007 12:49 PM in response to Kappy

I'm using Firefox on a PC also, and Windows places the files in a temporary directory. It appears that Mac is doing this, but using the desktop instead. A file is saved to the desktop after downloading/viewing it in Firefox or Safari. This seems like a system setting for temporary internet files???

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

May 27, 2007 3:15 PM in response to Daniland

There is no system setting for temporary files. Each application usually designates its own location for temp files. I would explore Firefox's preferences to see if there is a setting.

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Answer 6

Daniland Author

Level 1

9 points

May 27, 2007 3:40 PM in response to Kappy

This happens when I use either Firefox or Safari. And, it doesn't matter what I open the files/attachments with (neo-office, iphoto, etc). I don't think it would be a setting that I need to change in Firefox since it's occurring with 2 different browsers.

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Answer 7

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

May 27, 2007 3:49 PM in response to Daniland

As I said there is no OS X setting for temporary file locations for applications. Maybe you should also check any configuration settings for your web mail.

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Answer 8

Daniland Author

Level 1

9 points

May 27, 2007 5:08 PM in response to Kappy

Well I had my husband do some searching and he found that it is a setting in Safari and in the about:config for the computer and not a setting in Firefox. Here is the website that he found http://tadek.pietraszek.org/blog/2007/03/04/avoiding-temporary-files-on-desktop- on-os-x/

Thank you for trying to help me.

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Answer 9

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jun 2, 2007 8:39 AM in response to Daniland

I've made a copy of the bookmark. Glad you found a solution.

[ Edited by Host, See Terms of Use, section 4.2.2 ]

Thanks and good luck.

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