Downloaded Internet Programs Aren't Showing Up Anywhere on Hard Drive

[KDA]

Hello,

We have a very irritating problem. One of our users has IE10 installed on her Windows 7 laptop. When she tries to download any installer program e.g. WinRAR, Firefox etc., she receives the dropdown bar in IE. She right-clicks the bar and selects download this file and saves it to her desktop. It looks like it downloads successfully, but when she looks at her desktop, the downloaded executable isn't there. This happens when she tries to save the file to other folders as well. We tried disabling her antivirus program to see if that resolves the problem and it doesn't.

Does anyone know how to resolve this crazy issue??

Thanks

• http://windows7forums.com/windows-7...ms-arent-showing-up-anywhere-hard-drive.html#

 

[gregrocker]

Normally the default download location is the User's Downloads folder and remain there until changed in Options of the Download Manager, available by clicking on the IE Gear icon to access Tools>View Downloads.

Otherwise to have a file downloaded to Desktop would require choosing Save As in the individual Download dialogue popup.

 

[Layback Bear]

Open Windows Explorer. Close to the top you will see downloads. Look in there.

 

[strollin]

Normally the default download location is the User's Downloads folder and remain there until changed Options of the Download Manager, available by clicking on the IE Gear icon to access Tools>View Downloads. ...

The Download Manager in IE10 can also be accessed by pressing Ctrl-j. The list of downloads as well as the download location is maintained there until the list is cleared. Can you see the downloaded files in the list?

The default download location can be viewed/changed by clicking on the Options link in the bottom left-hand corner.

 

[SIW2]

Run IE as admin. See if that helps.

 

[KDA]

Thanks for the quick replies and tips. The problem is whenever I try to download anything via IE10 or Firefox, it says it downloads the content, I then go to the Downloads folder or other specified folder locations, and the content isn't there at all. I can even run a search for the content and its nowhere on the local hard drive. Something in Windows 7 is causing this craziness and its driving my nuts! Running IE or Firefox as admin, unfortunately doesn't work either.

Any more suggestions would definitely be appreciated...thanks,

KDA

 

[DavidE]

Login to Windows with a different User account and see if files can be saved.
Turn off UAC and see if files can be saved.
What Anti-Virus, Anti-Malware, and Firewall programs do you use?

 

[KDA]

UAC didn't change anything with downloading content from either IE10 or Firefox. I have Norton 360 running on the laptop and IE ad Firefox are already on the allowed listing.

 

[DavidE]

Did you try using a different User account?

 

[KDA]

Yep, I'm logged in as administrator and the same results with my account.

 

[Layback Bear]

You state you can't run a search.
Does that mean a Search doesn't find it or the Search using Windows Explorer doesn't work at all?

In Firefox their should be a Arrow at the top pointing down. Tick on it and select Show all downloads. If it's empty you either deleted them or they were not downloaded.
If they are there right tick on one and select Open Container Folder. It show you where it is.

 

[gregrocker]

Try turning off the Norton bloatware to see if the problem goes away. Better yet uninstall and replace it with the recommended Microsoft Security Essentials.

Try uninstalling Firefox with all settings, then reinstall the latest version. If this fail, create a new Admin account to install it and if necessary move the files over to the new account to delete the old one. User Account - Create - Windows 7 Help Forums

Most laptops come with preinstalled Win7 which is a grossly inferior install smothered by bloatware and useless duplicate utilities that have better versions built into Win7. That's why no tech enthusiast would run such an install, but choose to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. If you stick with the tools and methods in the tutorial you will get and keep a perfect install.

 

[KDA]

Within Windows search is where I search for the newly downloaded program and it cant find a thing. I even hear the audible download completed sound. Whenever I download anything in Firefox, it states that it downloaded the content, I click the down arrow and I can see that it successfully downloaded the software, but when I try either to double-click on the software package to run it, or look in the folder that its supposed to be located in, there is nothing there.

The reason why I installed Norton 360 is because we had Microsoft Security Essentials installed on the laptop before and it get a nasty virus. After cleaning the laptop up with various programs...Malwarebytes, SpyBot, and Rootkit cleaners, Norton 360 still found issues and cleaned the rest up.

 

[gregrocker]

For users who get infected I suggest adding the paid version of Malwarebytes which won't let anything past it and resolves chronic reinfection. There's no reason to slow down your PC with control freak bloatware like Norton.

Spybot hasn't been recommended anywhere for 10 years since it bloated up and started causing problems with crapware add-ons. Use SUPERAntiSpyware on-demand scanner, turning it off at Startup in preferences. It may help now.

I would also turn off all add-ons besides Flash in Browser Tools. Uninstall all Search services (spyware) and other crap you don't use in Control Panel. Then let SAS root Spyware out in the registry.

Does this PC still have grossly inferior factory preinstalled Win7? It's really the worst possible install one can have.

 

[KDA]

Yep, it does have the factory install Windows 7 installed on it. I'll have to get the paid version of Malwarebytes and also SUPERAntiSpyware to see if there's still something on the hard drive that causing the issue. I'll also get rid of Norton as well. As for the add-ons, they've all been disabled with the exception of Flash.

Thanks to everyone who responded and gave very helpful tips! Its very much appreciated. I hope all of you have a great day!!

 

[DavidE]

If this is for a Work PC be aware there can be different versions of a program than for a Home user.
i.e. MBAM Pro for Home users is a lifetime license, for Business users it is not a lifetime license.

 

[KDA]

Yep , its for a work PC and thanks for the info.

 

[gregrocker]

We're glad to help, and when ready will help assure you get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 so the user can finally enjoy true native Win7 performance.

 

[Layback Bear]

I'm not sure what you mean by Windows Search.
Use Windows Explorer.



Lets try this again.
When you tick on the arrow and find your downloads Right Tick on a download and select Open Container Folder.
**Did it did it not send you to the folder?**
If it sent to the folder can you right Right Tick on that folder?
Can you select Open/Run as administrator/Properties?
--------------------------------
Is this computer at you workplace?
Who is the owner of this computer?
Does your workplace have a I.T.Department?

 

[KDA]

Its when you click the Start button and then type what you want to search for in the "Search programs and files" field.