Firefox Download Settings: Autosave Files to Folders

The Path to Digital Order: Automating Firefox Downloads

Entry into the esteemed Grand Council of Uncluttered Minds isn’t granted simply by initiating a download and saving the file to the first available location. A degree of consideration is shown to those who manually direct files to pre-defined folders. However, true mastery – and a reserved seat amongst the Council – is achieved by automating the entire process.

Effective computer organization fundamentally relies on ensuring every file resides in its appropriate place. This principle is closely followed by the practice of proper file naming conventions. Take a moment to review the directory structure of your computer. Do you utilize folders specifically designated for different file types?

A lack of such organization indicates a delay in achieving optimal productivity. Without it, access to the Grand Council of Uncluttered Minds will remain unattainable. If you are committed to computer organization, let’s revisit the initial stage: downloads.

Assuming you utilize Firefox as your web browser, let’s explore how to automatically route downloaded files to their correct folders. As with most functionalities within Firefox, we can leverage browser extensions available from the Mozilla Add-ons Gallery.

Download Sort [No Longer Available]

Download Sort is a Firefox extension designed to automatically direct downloads to specific folders, based on either the file extension or keywords found within the URL. Configuring this functionality requires accessing the extension’s Settings and establishing the necessary rules.

It’s crucial to remember that the automated sorting of downloads into designated folders functions exclusively with the right click method (Save Link As/Save Image As), and not with a left click.

The Settings menu provides a comprehensive range of customization options.

You can define specific download folders, or subfolders, for each file type. For example, all downloaded .doc or .pdf files could be directed to your My Documents folder, or a dedicated eBook subfolder could be created within My Documents to house all PDF files.

Further features available within the Settings for Download Sort include…

Instead of creating subfolders, downloads can be grouped within a single folder, categorized according to the criteria specified in the Autosave Sub Folder dropdown.

Downloads can also be routed based on keywords present in the URL, which is particularly useful when frequently downloading from specific websites.

Download Sort can prompt you for a filename or alert you to duplicate files within the target folder. Several actions can then be taken – Prompt for a new filename, Auto-increment the filename, Cancel the download, Overwrite the file.

With careful configuration of file type rules and corresponding folders, Download Sort streamlines the downloading process.

Despite lacking further development since 2006, Download Sort remains functional with current versions of Firefox. However, if this lack of updates is a concern, consider the next Firefox add-on.

Automatic Save Folder [No Longer Available]

Automatic Save Folder is a comparable download tool that automates the saving and sorting of downloaded files into designated folders. Similar to Download Sort, you must establish rules to identify files by their type and redirect them accordingly.

Automatic Save Folder offers filtering options based on file extension or domain, but handles downloads in a slightly different manner than its counterpart.

Automatic Save Folder’s download rules function optimally when Firefox is configured to always ask where to save files. This setting is located under Tools - Options - General tab - Downloads. Ensure this option is checked, as illustrated in the screenshot below.

Unlike Download Sort, Automatic Save Folder supports both single-click and right-click downloads.

When a download link is clicked, Automatic Save Folder opens File Explorer at the designated download folder (as defined for the file type). Alternatively, you can configure the add-on within its Options to automatically save downloads, bypassing File Explorer altogether.

Similar to the previous add-on, dynamic folders can be created on the fly to organize downloads. These folders can be named using a variety of variables.

Automatic Save Folder is compatible with Firefox versions 1.5 through 3.7a1 pre and operates on Windows, Linux, and Mac OSX.

Which Extension to Choose?

The ultimate decision rests with the user. Automatic Save Folder offers distinct advantages, including support for both left-click and right-click downloads, and greater flexibility in its filtering options. However, the key differentiator may be that Automatic Save Folder continues to receive updates.

Developing a habit of computer organization and decluttering is essential. These two Firefox add-ons simply make maintaining that habit a little easier. How do you currently handle downloads in Firefox? Are you guiding your files to the correct destination?