Downloads
Acira saves downloads straight into a folder you choose and lists them in a panel and on a Downloads page. It never opens a file on its own, and it asks before opening programs and scripts.
Start a download
Click a download link on a site, or right-click a link, image or media item and choose Save link as…, Save image as… or Save media as…. A message says Downloading {name} and, when it ends, {name} downloaded with a Show button. If a file could not be downloaded, the message says {name} couldn't be downloaded.
- The file is saved without asking, unless you turn on Ask where to save each file.
- If a file with the same name exists, Acira saves the new one as
report (1).pdf. Existing files are never overwritten. - Save the open page with Save page as… (Ctrl+S) or as a PDF. See Reader mode, find, zoom and print.
Where files go
Open Settings › Downloads.
| Control | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Download location | Your system Downloads folder | Folder where downloads are saved. Change picks another existing folder. Use default goes back. If the chosen folder is missing, Acira uses the default folder and says so. |
| Ask where to save each file | Off | Shows the Save dialog for every download. The dialog is titled Save download. |
Open the downloads list
- Press Ctrl+J on Windows or Cmd+J on a Mac (Cmd+Shift+J also works on a Mac), or choose Downloads in the Acira menu. This opens the panel with your latest downloads and a See all downloads row.
- Add the Downloads button to the toolbar. Its icon shows progress while files download. Its tooltip reads Downloads, {count} in progress or Downloads, new. See Toolbar and menu.
- Open the Downloads page from See all downloads, or choose Downloads in the sidebar.
Work with a download
The page title is Downloads and it says Your files and their download progress. Downloads in progress are at the top, under In progress. Finished ones follow, grouped by day. The panel and the page offer the same buttons.
| Button | When | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Pause | Downloading | Stops the transfer for now. |
| Resume | Paused, or Interrupted when it can continue | Restarts the transfer. |
| Retry | Interrupted or Failed, when it cannot continue | Starts the download again. |
| Open | Done | Opens the file with the program your system uses for it. |
| Show in folder | Done | Reveals the file in its folder. |
| Cancel download | While it can be cancelled | Stops and cancels it. |
| Remove from list | Finished or stopped | Removes the entry. The file stays on disk. |
The status reads Downloading, Paused, Done, Interrupted, Failed or Cancelled. A running download shows how much has arrived and the time left, such as 2 min left. Use Find a download to search. Hide completed and Show completed fold away finished downloads on the page. If everything is hidden, the page says Completed downloads are hidden.
Warnings
- Programs and scripts. Files such as
.exe,.msi,.msix,.appx,.bat,.cmd,.ps1,.vbs,.js,.scr,.reg,.lnk,.url,.sh,.app,.pkgand.dmgare marked Review before opening. Choosing Open asks Open downloaded file? and says This file can run software on your computer. It adds that Acira has not scanned it for malware. Choose Open file if you trust the source, and not otherwise. - Many files at once. If a site starts another download right after the last one, Acira asks whether it wants to download several files. The answer is remembered for that site in this profile. If you say no, you see Blocked repeated downloads from this site.
- Tor. A file from a Tor tab opens outside Tor. Acira shows Be careful opening downloads above the list until you choose Got it, and asks before you open such a file. See Tor tabs and windows.
Private windows and clearing
- In a private window, browsing is not saved or restored, but downloaded files remain on your computer. See Private tabs and windows.
- To clear the list, remove rows, or use Settings › Privacy › Clear browsing data and tick Download records. Downloaded files stay on disk.
Limits
- The download list is kept for each profile. It is not synced.
- Acira cannot tell whether a file is safe. Check the source before you open it.
Last updated October 31, 2026