Member Avatar for Mr Gates

This just started after I got Cable Internet, and now whenever I download a file, I specify which directory I want it downloaded to, and it then (without me knowing until the end) downloads to the "Temporary internet files" directory, and THEN copies it to the directory I wanted it downloaded to. The reason this bothers me is because sometimes I might download to a zip disk, or to a floppy, and it takes a long time. Any solutions?

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Good points from and — this is expected browser behavior, but there are practical ways to avoid the slow “download-then-copy-to-floppy/Zip” pain. The browser will often put a file into a temporary cache when you open or start a download; that temporary copy is why a second copy to removable media becomes noticeable on fast connections. (See Microsoft’s description of temporary Internet files and the “Open” workflow.) (support.microsoft.com)

If the goal is to stop long copies to slow removable media, try one of these approaches (tested, low risk):

  • Move the browser cache to a faster fixed drive (Internet Options → General → Browsing history → Settings → Move folder). Moving the cache to another fixed HDD/SSD can reduce cross‑drive copying; Windows will ask to log off to complete the change. ()
  • Use a modern download manager (Free Download Manager, GetRight, IDM, etc.). These tools let you choose the final folder up front, handle resumes robustly, and often write directly to the destination rather than relying on the browser cache. (freedownloadmanager.org)
  • Simple workflow tweak: “Save As” to a local hard‑drive folder (Desktop or C:\Downloads), then copy/move the finished file to your floppy/Zip. That avoids the browser trying to write while also transferring to slow media.

Quick checks: confirm you’re actually choosing “Save As” (not “Open”), and if you want to confirm the temporary cache location use inetcpl.cpl → Settings → View Files to inspect Temporary Internet Files. For stubborn cases, a download manager is the cleanest fix — it removes the mystery copy step and gives reliable resume and speed controls. ()

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Member Avatar for Paladine

Well, not a solution, but rather a reason.

The reason for this temp location, is so that if you were to say quit the download part way through, you can simply go back to the location of the downloaded and resume, without having to restart from the beginning. Especially useful for large files.

As far as resolving it.... why? It would take no less time to not have the temp location (being it were possible to elminate it) and store it on a zip disk. Reason, is where else is the computer to store the file as it comes across?? There has to be some temp location to store the file as it is being "built" in the file destination. Kind of like a buffer.

Hope this helps

Member Avatar for Tekmaven

Not only that, but you can not change the download location.

Member Avatar for TallCool1

This just started after I got Cable Internet, and now whenever I download a file, I specify which directory I want it downloaded to, and it then (without me knowing until the end) downloads to the "Temporary internet files" directory, and THEN copies it to the directory I wanted it downloaded to... Any solutions?

This is default browser behavior, and cannot be changed. Mozilla, or any other browser, will do essentially the same thing, even under Linux. Besides, you never want to download a file directly to a floppy or Zip disk -- you should always D/L it to the hard drive first, since floppies and Zips are relatively unreliable.

Member Avatar for kandir

I'm not so sure about that "cannot be change" part. Somewhere in the code the brower is told where to store temp files, so at least in the case of mozilla this behaviour could be changed to another location (of course you'd have to recompile it).

The part of his question which is most bewildering to me is that this only started after he switched to broadband. So could one infer that this is not the behaviour with dialup internet settings? And if so, why?

Member Avatar for TallCool1

The part of his question which is most bewildering to me is that this only started after he switched to broadband. So could one infer that this is not the behaviour with dialup internet settings? And if so, why?

Since broadband file transfers are so much quicker, the time required to do the transfer from Temp to destination is more noticeable. Also, transfer to floppy or Zip disk is relatively slow -- this exacerbates the problem.

Member Avatar for kandir

Ahh, good points! Seems obvious now that you say it :)

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