14 DAY TRIAL // Mozilla is reportedly working on bringing back the download prompt in a future Firefox update in a move that will certainly be well received.
Starting with version 97, Firefox no longer displays an update prompt when users click on a download link. In other words, the file is automatically downloaded to the default folder, and if it’s a document that users just want to open, it’s saved in a temporary location.
At some level, this approach makes perfect sense given it provides a more straightforward experience, but for those who want to keep things organized and save files in different locations, it’s not exactly a convenient update.
But according to a report from GHacks, Mozilla is currently working on bringing back the download prompt in a future Firefox update.
Change coming in Firefox 101
And this future Firefox update could be version 101, as the latest beta already comes with the download prompt enabled by default.
However, Mozilla will provide users with more options to manage downloads, including a way to handle certain file formats.
“If Firefox does not have a set download action for a type of file, Firefox will save the file. If you select Always Open Similar Files in the Downloads panel right-click context menu for the file, a new Content Type and Action entry will be added to the General panel Applications section of Firefox settings. You can change what action Firefox takes for defined content types. This will not affect media embedded in a web page – only links to the files themselves,” Mozilla explains on a support page.
Needless to say, given the return of the download prompt is currently in beta stage, anything can change overnight, so it may be better not to take everything for granted right now. We’ll find out more about the classic download prompt when Firefox 101 is promoted to stable.