Is there a way to prevent files being downloaded into the Downloads folder on a Mac such as when I open a PDF file from the browser instead of downloading it?
To explain what I mean, on Windows when you click 'Open' when the browser asks what to do with a file, the file gets downloaded to a temp folder.
On Mac it gets downloaded to the Downloads folder, in effect creating two copies if I choose to save the file later to a different folder. Since you can't move files on the Mac, the end result is a very cluttered Downloads folder and no way of knowing if a certain file is saved elsewhere?
Is there a way to change this behaviour, say not to have the file downloaded or to have it automatically deleted?
Best Answer
Just right click the link.
If you have a pdf viewer plugin enabled (which it sounds like you do), you have the option to *Open Link in..." it or Save Link As...
When you choose Save Link As... you even have the opportunity to change your download location.
The way that I am doing is through Full Acrobat Reader, not through a 3rd party plugin or Preview. In fact, PDF plugin is disabled:
When I click on the PDF link, it opens in a new browser Tab for viewing, but now I have the opportunity to select "Download" if I want to save it (It's not saved to my Downloads folder automatically.)