[FR] Remember preferred backup destination folder across exports

[santo998]

When exporting settings or filter lists, uBlockOrigin should allow the user to choose a destination folder and remember it for future backups, instead of always defaulting to the browser's generic download location.

[freezer2022]

It's the browser, not uBO, which handles downloading files / choosing folders, it's beyond uBO's control, you're limited to what your browser allows.

A duplicate of:

• https://www.reddit.com/r/uBlockOrigin/comments/1gj9n13/where_does_ublock_save_the_backup_config_file_to/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/uBlockOrigin/comments/xoh61s/ublock_origins_back_up_file_location_mac/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/uBlockOrigin/comments/rhsmdr/change_target_folder_for_exported_ublock_settings/
• Where are the Backups storred? #822

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There exist some workarounds however:

1. Extensions can save files to a custom subfolder of the default browser download folder, then the user can use junctions to redirect the subfolder to any place he wants:

   • Default download subdirectories support aclap-dev/video-downloadhelper#2889
   • Can't choose download directory aclap-dev/video-downloadhelper#2866

2. Also theoretically / technically perhaps your feature request could be implemented via Chrome's api: https://developer.chrome.com/docs/capabilities/web-apis/file-system-access?hl=en, but there could be some side-effects, and it would work only in Chromium-based browsers , and partially in Safari, and not in Firefox.

[freezer2022]

Maybe you forgot that you checked/marked in the past or even accidentaly:
"Save File" +"Do this automatically for files like this from now on"
In that case you need to reset your download settings for .txt files in the browser.

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-firefox-behavior-when-open-file
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/manage-downloads-preferences-using-downloads-menu

[santo998]

This isn't a good solution, as I want to have an independent path for uBlockOrigin backups.

With this workaround, I get always the same path suggestion for any downloaded file

[freezer2022]

santo998: for any downloaded file

Not for any, just for any .txt file, as internet browsers remember paths for each file extension separately.

Unless this is what you already had in your mind and you just haven't been clear enough and the file extension separation is still not enought for you and you need each browser extension to have its own personal different path. (Yes, it seems you made it clear initially: "independent path for uBlockOrigin backups." but then later in your post you weren't clear enough as whether you are aware or not of the already existing different file extension paths separation and whether it is sufficient for you or not, hence I've just wanted to make sure).

[santo998]

Yes, I was aware.

And sometimes people downloads .txt so it's not a good solution

[freezer2022]

santo998: Yes, I was aware.

OK, it's now clear.

santo998: This isn't a good solution
santo998: so it's not a good solution

To be clear, I didn't said that it will be a good solution for you, as at that moment it wasn't clear exactly what your problem / expectation was, because you didn't describe it very clearly, therefore I had no idea which solution was good enought for you.

[gorhill]

I use Firefox

Check "Always ask you where to save files"

[santo998]

This isn't a good solution, as I want to have an independent path for uBlockOrigin backups.

With this workaround, I get always the same path suggestion for any downloaded file

[gorhill]

There will be no change in uBO.