Saving to disk always downloads to ~/Downloads

[j605]

I have the preference "Always ask you where to save files" checked so I think it is intuitive that screenshots should also ask where it needs to be saved. If this is not possible, can you provide a way to set a different screenshot save location.

[ianb]

Note we just use the WebExtension download API. It has a saveAs flag, which would trigger the behavior you want, but I'm not sure how we can decide how to set that flag.

Well, looking a bit, I see browser.download.useDownloadDir is the underlying about:config pref. We could share this pref with the add-on via bootstrap.js the same way we share the Telemetry pref.

Arguably the WebExtension should be able to choose the right action on its own. I opened Bug 1394851 for this.

[jaredhirsch]

@ianb What about using shift + click to trigger the "save as..." functionality, and regular click to save in the default spot?

[jaredhirsch]

See also https://twitter.com/LOTNorm/status/905921790387605504

[johngruen]

See also reddit thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/731m54/screenshots_is_shipping_in_firefox_56/dnnyqfj/

Regarding directory selection, the main reason I want to be asked where to save files is so that I can choose a different name for them.

This is a slightly different use case where the commenter want to name shots via their OS dialog on download.

[boomsya]

I want too change location folder for saving screens (because default folder on disk C:. I use primary SSD and i want to save screens on second HDD). Name of screen file it is no matter.
2 variants of this:

1. always ask destination folder
2. set folder in preferences

[ianb]

We should verify this in Nightly since the WebExtension bug has been closed.

[SoftVision-CosminMuntean]

I have retested these scenarios on latest Nightly 59.0a1 build and latest Beta 58.0b15 build. Here are the results:

1. Always ask you where to save files" option is checked in "about:preferences#general" page
   When you download a selection/shot, a window which asks you where to save the file is displayed. After you choose a location and click the "Save" button, the selection/shot is correctly downloaded to the location.
   But, a "Download canceled by the user" error is displayed if you cancel the window which asks you where to save the file. I have logged a new issue for this: "Download canceled by the user" error is wrongly displayed when you cancel saving the selection to a specific location #3964

2. Set a different folder where to save files in "about:preferences#general"
   The selection/shot is correctly downloaded in the chosen folder.

Besides of the new issue found, these scenarios work as expected.