Because a file is being used, it can not be changed, From now on, make sure that when a file is almost done, CLOSE any program that you have looking at it. If you only stop the looking program, the file may not be released. What program are you using to watch the download?

you have not answered my questions. i cannot see the time remaining when watching video and i know it cannot be changed when file is being used. and you DON'T have to tell me if i close the program in time the download will complete.

THAT is not what i asked . what i am asking is why is Firefox 29 deleting the .part files in the 2 below cases , while it was not so in earlier versions. and how do i revert to earlier behavior

"After i finish viewing of .part file, close the program and I hit "clear downloads" in download manager it deletes the .part file OR After i finish viewing of .part file, close the program and close Firefox and restart , FF deletes the .part file. "

Steps to reproduce: 1) Start a video file download. FF creates .part file. 2) start watching the video in .part file while downloading using players like vlc. 3) download completes but .part file cannot be renamed as it is being used. 4) now close the video player. 5) press "clear downloads" in download manager OR (5a) close and restart Firefox 29.

Actual results: The .part file gets deleted.

Expected results: .part file should NOT be deleted as it was in earlier versions.

Hmm . . . .Try to do a short download and see if the problem is there. BUT, don't access the file with anything until it is finished.


I found that after Firefox v29, a LOT of my settings and
add-ons were changed / reset. Try this; Start Firefox in Safe Mode
While you are in safe mode;
Firefox Options > Advanced > General.
Look for and turn off Use Hardware Acceleration.
Then check ALL of your settings. Browser and add-ons. Then restart.

No It does not help. I am NOT looking for advice on how to browse or download or when to access file etc.

I just need to know what changed in FF29 that it started to delete .part file. and is there a way to change this behavior or is there a option in about:config to control this.

Does this also happen if you pause the download manually before closing Firefox and not let Firefox do this automatically?

See also:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/browser.download.manager.quitBehavior

When a download is completed then the .part file should be renamed to the name of the final file.
If you expect issues like this then you can make a backup copy of .part files or consider to use an external download manager instead.

when i pause and resume the files on servers supporting resume downloads resume again.others fail. but in my case even on the resume supported servers, doing all the "steps to reproduce" , the .part file gets deleted.

the only options i see in about:config for download manager in FF29 is browser.download.manager.addToRecentDocs browser.download.manager.resumeOnWakeDelay