Where does IE8 first temporarily save download in progress file to?

wildpig1234 · 04 Jan 2017

I am so lost at this and need to know this if anyone can help out? I have looked in all the usual places and couldn't find where IE8 first cache a download in progress file to. I know it caches it to C: somewhere first and then after the download is complete it copies it over to your chosen location . A very stupid thing if you ask me.... Unlike chrome which would save that temporary in progress downloading immediately to your chosen dir.

Anyway, getting back to the point, I just waste a few hours trying to get a file only to have my internet cut out at 99% download for a 2GB file. If i know the location of this temp file ( I understand that it might be named uufi.wuu or whatever weird name) but at least i could have copy this over to do a resume from another source. I know that it saved it to c: somewhere because when the timeout finally occurred it removed that temp file and free up the space on c:

Much appreciate any help. thanks

MoxieMomma · 04 Jan 2017

Hi:

Sorry, I don't know the specific answer, but it's probably a temp folder, such as the one mentioned HERE? (That may be for XP. But with Uncle Google to help, you can probably find a similar link for Win7.)

What sort of gigantic, 2 GB file was this?

Having said that:

If the internet cut out during the download, the partial file you have will probably be incomplete and/or corrupt and probably useless.
- You probably ought to start again or find another way to get the file.
Most importantly: IE8 has not been supported for a VERY, VERY long time -- since January 2016, the only supported version for IE under Win7 has been IE11
- For a host of very real security reasons, immediate upgrade to IE11 is strongly recommended.
  - This can be done via Windows Update or with the offline installer
- If you are missing any of the other, critical and important security patches for your system, it would be a good idea to install those, as well

Cheers,
MM

MoxieMomma · 04 Jan 2017

Hi, again:

Forgot to mention...

...To reclaim the disk space occupied by the partial file download, you could use CCleaner or TFC by OldTimer or a similar utility to remove temporary files, and/or the native Windows 7 disk cleanup utility.

Cheers,
MM

wildpig1234 · 04 Jan 2017

C:\Users\(Username)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5

I think this might be it but i will have to confirm later tonite at my computer... The computer at work is IE11 which does save directly to a file in the chosen dir so it's not quite the same as at home with IE8

MoxieMomma · 04 Jan 2017

Yes, that seems to be the correct file path for Win7 (I'm on a Win10 box right now, so I can not test it).

Having said that, it might just be easier and safer (to avoid removing the wrong file) to use either Windows disk cleanup or one of those 3rd-party utilities to remove Temp files (you can set a Windows Restore Point before you do, just in case).

Having said that, I'll respectfully reiterate my sincere concern about operation of a Win7 system with only IE8.
Aside from the fact that many websites no longer support it, IE8 is a giant, gaping hole in your computer's security.
No AV or security apps or even "safe hex" can overcome that vulnerability.
Moreover, if you only have IE8, then I suspect that you are also unable to use Windows Update -- that means you may be months (or years) behind on critical security patches.
Moreover, even if you use other browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Opera, etc.) for web browsing, many programs on the computer use IE in the background.
This is like having a treasure trove of valuables in your house, but leaving all the doors and windows unlocked.

It's certainly up to you, but I cannot think of a compelling reason to stay with IE8.
If you need help upgrading to IE11 or with Windows Updates, just let us know -- someone can help.

Let us know how it goes, so that we can all learn.

Cheers,
MM

Eric3742 · 04 Jan 2017

wildpig1234 said:

I am so lost at this and need to know this if anyone can help out? I have looked in all the usual places and couldn't find where IE8 first cache a download in progress file to. I know it caches it to C: somewhere first and then after the download is complete it copies it over to your chosen location . A very stupid thing if you ask me.... Unlike chrome which would save that temporary in progress downloading immediately to your chosen dir.

Anyway, getting back to the point, I just waste a few hours trying to get a file only to have my internet cut out at 99% download for a 2GB file. If i know the location of this temp file ( I understand that it might be named uufi.wuu or whatever weird name) but at least i could have copy this over to do a resume from another source. I know that it saved it to c: somewhere because when the timeout finally occurred it removed that temp file and free up the space on c:

Much appreciate any help. thanks

Hi

If you have not temper with the what had happened, there is another method.

Do repeat the process, download the same file or any files on that website &or other files to download.
There will be a indication on the folder to save to.
From here, then you could be able to know the exact folder name & location.

Eric.

wildpig1234 · 04 Jan 2017

Eric3742 said:

Hi

If you have not temper with the what had happened, there is another method.

Do repeat the process, download the same file or any files on that website &or other files to download.
There will be a indication on the folder to save to.
From here, then you could be able to know the exact folder name & location.

Eric.

This does not answer my question. Window 7 with IE8 does not directly save a download immediately and directly to your specified destination. It first download into a temp file hidden away in c: and then copy that temp file (renaming it to correct name) to the place that you specify only after it completes the download. So where you specify to download to is useless in answering my question.

MoxieMomma · 04 Jan 2017

Hi, @wildpig1234:

We are just volunteers and we have tried our best to help you.
We understand that you are frustrated.
But there's no need to be rude.

To be honest, I'm having trouble imagining what sort of 2 GB file one might be trying to download from the internet. You didn't reply to my original question about it. That leads to inevitable speculation about whether it may possibly have been some sort of possibly less-than-legal activity. If that were the case, that would violate the FORUM RULES.

You have likewise pretty much ignored the advice & offer to help I offered in respectful, good faith about what might arguably be considered a more important issue (your computer's security).

As such, I don't have any other suggestions at this time.

I hope you are able to resolve your issue.

Take care,
MM

DavidE · 04 Jan 2017

Open Task Manager / Resource Monitor and look at the Disk tab / Disk Activity pane.

Start a download and see if the download folder/file is displayed in the Disk Activity pane

Maybe you'll get lucky and see it there.

wildpig1234 · 04 Jan 2017

DavidE said:

Open Task Manager / Resource Monitor and look at the Disk tab / Disk Activity pane.

Start a download and see if the download folder/file is displayed in the Disk Activity pane

Maybe you'll get lucky and see it there.

Great idea. Unfortunately win7 stubbornly refuses to give in. The process that shows the disk activity is named "system"