Avoiding double navigation

I'm sure there's a way to do this, but I haven't found it.

Let's say I download a file from a web site (FYI I'm using Chrome). In the "Save As" explorer window, I navigate to the directory where I want the download to be saved. Now let's say I want to rename the file. I open another Explorer window. But now I have to repeat the navigation to get to the same directory -- assuming I can remember where I saved the file!

There is a pseudo-directory in Windows Explorer under Favorites called Recent Places which seems like it ought to avoid the double navigation, but the "recent" directories it shows are always a few days old. The truly most recent directory is never in the list.

So how do you solve the double navigation problem?

Why don't you change the name from within the download dialog? That's what I do.

Regardless, in Chrome, after you download the file, look at the bottom right of the browser window and you'll see the file name of what you just downloaded, right-click on the filename and select "Show in folder" to open the folder where the file is located.

"I intentionally do not use a default download folder. I prefer to navigate during the download to the folder where I want the file to ultimately be saved. The download folder will be different for every download."
That works. With your navigation plan, almost always you are allowed to rename the to be downloaded file just before you click the Save or Download button. I have a c:\downloads directory because I often have numerous downloads. And by having a c:\downloads directory, I have already once "told" each anti-virus/anti-malware: do not scan that directory, scan the downloaded files while I move said files to their appropriate directory. Sometimes I do not exactly what folders I want certain files to go into until later. Sometimes I realize I have to create new folders for new files, amidst the numerous downloads in progress.

"So my question is: After the download is complete, how do I get back to that folder without what I called a "double navigation?"" Walk me through just one download of one file into one folder -- and why you are not allowed to rename that one file just before you click Save or Download.

I ask this because I am confused as to why you have to parallel Explorer.exe to rename a file when you have a choice just before Save As within Chrome. I double-checked both Firefox, IE, and Chrome: once I set the settings to allow me to choose the directory [even though everything goes into c:\downloads], the operation allows me to change the file name just before Save, Save As, Download.

The Download Folder is the default location for all downloads, unless you change it. I can't see why you don't use the Download Folder as you will be able to find the file easily later if you need to. The Download Folder is just one folder with all downloads listed within it, there is not a separate folder for each download.

When I download a program or whatever to the Download Folder, I then run the extraction process & usually it will be installed to the correct Directory, or can change that if I wish.

To prevent the Download Folder becoming cumbersome with heaps of downloads I delete the completed ones when I am sure everything is working properly.

perkinw said:

...Say I download a file and then shut down the computer....

Open Chrome and press Ctrl + J to see a list of recent downloads. The "show in folder" link* is one way to prevent double navigation. If that list is not to your liking, then let's see what others come up with.

*the same link mentioned by strollin - only in the recent downloads list and I was not sure if you knew that the list stays around until you clear it.

Ranger4 said:

...I can't see why you don't use the Download Folder...

What if the downloaded file needs to be saved to a server so that coworkers can get to it? Are you suggesting that people should download one file to their local Download Folder and then use Windows Explorer to move that one file to the desired location? Then repeat that download/move for every file downloaded?

Ranger4 said:

...there is not a separate folder for each download.

Why would I download/save the July sales figures for store #16843 in the same folder as the June inventory data for store #74204? Those downloaded files are saved to different/separate folders.


Let's say that lecture videos are downloaded/saved directly to the folder for that class. The OP might want to grab a snack before watching the video. The OP wants a shorter way to navigate to the file of interest.


You mentioned installation files.
I have a folder for those types of files...
...and a sub-folder named after each app
...and another sub-folder named after the app's version.
In that folder structure are my notes** about the install and a download link shortcut documenting the source of the installation file. Here are my folders for UltraVNC's installation files:


There are several problems with the latest version. I'm working my way thru the older versions via VMs to see where one major problem was introduced.

Each uVNC version folder contains multiple files:




**my notes for Oracle's VirtualBox remind me which options not to install.
e.g.
Do not install:
VB Python.
VB Host-Only.


My point is:
There are plenty of scenarios where it is not efficient nor desired to download/save a file to the Downloads Folder. The OP has a valid point about having to navigate to the folders at least twice (once for the download/save and once to watch the file).

Think I found an answer, for Windows 7 Professional at least. Explorer.exe's shortcut. Tools. Folder Options. View. Click [check] box for Restore previous folder windows at login. Right above it is: Launch folder windows as a separate process. I do not know which is better for you -- checking that box or leaving it un-checked.
And you are certainly correct! If you are downloading numerous similar named, differing edition/differing version, as posted earlier, it certainly make sense to not have just one folder for such downloads. I forgot momentarily that I too use different download directories during such download projects.

Just to be fair, Ranger and I were not considering such complicated download projects that are very common for business, industry, government, agencies, and so on. Because the opening post by the thread starter gave no indication of the level of complicated downloads as given by our friend UsernameIssues [later in the thread]-- Ranger and I were thinking about the majority of downloads by average home users. I believe Ranger and I agree, after we have read successive posts following our initial post -- there certainly is a need for having numerous download folders!
And, regardless of the number of download folders, one can still change the file name on the fly if the browser is set up to specify for each file the desired download folder.