Saving Temporary Download Files

This probably isn't the place to post this but.....

I don't know exactly how to describe this so I will give you a scenario.
Let's use Google Earth. When I go to download google earth it downloads a 1mb file to my desktop. Then I have to open that file up and start the actual download of google earth. Is there a way to save these downloaded files (like as an installation file or something) It's not so much for saving google earth but some other things.

Are these files saved in the TEMP folder?? Maybe I could retrieve them there. I think I remember doing it once, there was instructions somewhere, but I don't remember where or how to do it. It seems that there was some sort of command or something that allowed me to save the files in a folder instead of just running the installer.

Any help would be appreciated

~Jeff~

 

It's going to vary depending on what the specific scenario is. You said not so much google earth, so what then?

 

Some are temporatily stored in your Documents folders, some are in the browser cache, and some will be deleted upon completion of an installation of apps.

Names are not always clear to understand, you just have to dig them up and try them out, there is no standard about it.

cheers ...

 

OK. So when they download files, is it usually just one setup file or is it multiple extracted files that I would have to look for? (or is there no way to know because it varies on the vendor).

Thanks

 

Do you use IE and just want the dialog back?
Reset File Download Prompt Setting for Internet Explorer in Windows XP & 2000 (PDF file)

 

I certainly do NOT use IE. Firefox all the way!! And no that's not what I'm asking. I'm talking about when you want to download a program so the website downloads a program to your desktop. Then you have to run that program to get the one you want. I want to save the final program instead of just running it.

 

sorry, now I got it.

Best is to clear the temp folder, run the downloaded program and then watch the temp folder. Often a larger *.tmp file gets created. After the download is finished and the real setup started copy the temp file to a different place, rename it to *.exe and try it, maybe that was the downloaded file.

You can also run a program like Filemon from Systinternals (now Microsoft) which logs the HDD events. There you can activate the filter to only show entries which relate to your downloaded program and finally you can see the location where it downloaded the setup files.

 

Does a dialog box popup asking if you want to run or save the file ?

 

I already have Process Explorer installed if that is what you are talking about. I've been using it for a while--but how can you track where the read/write data is going to? I guess I haven't figured that out yet.

 

No it's called Filemon:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896642.aspx

 

http://www.internetdownloadmanager.com/ Best 25 bucks you will ever spend. EVERYTHING that is downloaded is documented and gives you the option of where you want to save the file to, in addition to keeping a detailed download log. 30 day free trial, so you can see if it meets your needs first.