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Is it or is it not possible to simply view a file (any kind, PDF, video, excel etc.) without having it download?
Sometimes, I just want to open the file in a new tab and view it and not come to find dozens of unwanted files saved on my desktop (in my case)
This is very annoying and I am going to wind up uninstalling Edge and going back to a combination of Firefox and IE (needed for some work sites).
Other issues or features related to Microsoft Edge on older Windows versions
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Thank you. That is very helpful information. It sounds like that by designating a temporary folder, I would be effectively replicating the user exoerience and not cluttering up my desktop. For those, I wish to actually keep, I would just “save as” like normal.
Is it or is it not possible to simply view a file (any kind, PDF, video, excel etc.) without having it download?
No. For a file to be displayed on your computer's screen, it must be present on the computer. If it's a file stored somewhere on the Internet, it has to be downloaded first before you can view it. This is true of any browser or indeed other application. In other words, you can't view a file that hasn't been downloaded.
The difference you're seeing with the new Edge is that earlier, you had little or no control over where a downloaded file was stored while you were viewing it. IE keeps them in its Temporary Internet Files folder, for example. These files will eventually be removed, but again, you have no control over how long they remain in temporary storage. New Edge, on the other hand, makes it possible for you to determine what happens to downloads like this. You specify which folder to use by default, but you have the ability to change to a different one. If most of your downloaded files fall into the 'view and discard' category, then specify (a folder within) your temporary folder as the default. That will normally be
C:\Users{user}\AppData\Local\Temp
Files in this folder that are not in use will normally be deleted during routine maintenance.
If you select Always open files of this type after a file has downloaded, the next one of the same type will open automatically. After that, the behaviour won't be very different from what you're used to.
You'll find the settings at *Settings and more ⋯ >*⚙ *Settings > Downloads,*or by visiting edge://settings/downloads.
Hello Mike_940,
I'm Jin, a fellow Windows 10 user and an independent advisor.
The option to open or just run a file without downloading the actual file is no longer available to the new Microsoft Edge Chromium. I recommend you submit feedback by using the Feedback app or by pressing ALT+SHIFT+I while using Edge.
In the meantime, you can revert back to the old Edge by pressing Windows key + I to open Settings > Apps > Microsoft Edge > Uninstall.
Uninstalling will automatically revert it back to the old Legacy Microsoft Edge.
However, if you have got the New Microsoft Edge via Windows Update, in that case, you cannot uninstall it.
Kind regards.
Thank you for the reply. I’m still on Windows 7, but I suspect it is the same. That is indeed stupid and and unfortunate.