Hey there! I’m working on a project where I need to download files using JavaScript. But I’m wondering if we can use the HTML5 File API to control where these files end up.
Right now, I’m using this basic code to trigger downloads:
let fileLink = '/documents/report.pdf';
window.open(fileLink, 'Downloading');
This works fine, but the files just go to the default download folder. What I really want is to save them to a special sandboxed area that the File API talks about.
Has anyone figured out how to mix these two approaches? It would be super helpful for managing downloads in my web app. Plus, it might solve some issues I have with protecting documents from being copied around.
I’d love to hear if anyone has experience with this or knows if it’s even possible. Thanks!
hey tom, i’ve messed with this stuff before. sadly, you can’t really control where files go when downloaded. browsers keep that locked down tight for security reasons.
maybe look into the File System Access API? it’s newer and lets you do more with files, but users gotta give permission. not all browsers support it yet tho.
for protecting docs, server-side stuff might work better. client-side methods aren’t super secure.
As someone who’s been deep in the weeds with file handling in web apps, I can tell you that combining the File API with standard downloads is a bit of a pipe dream. The browser sandbox is there for a reason, and we can’t just bypass it.
That said, I’ve had some success using the File System Access API in more recent projects. It’s not perfect, but it does give you more control over file operations. You’ll need to prompt the user for permission, which can be a bit clunky, but it’s the closest we’ve got to what you’re after.
One thing to keep in mind: browser support is still patchy. Last I checked, Firefox was dragging its feet on implementation. So you’ll need a solid fallback plan if you go this route.
For document protection, client-side solutions are always going to be a bit of a Swiss cheese. Have you considered watermarking or other server-side approaches? Might be worth exploring if security is a big concern for your use case.
I’ve actually tackled a similar challenge in one of my projects. Unfortunately, combining the File API with standard download methods isn’t straightforward due to security restrictions. Browsers intentionally limit direct access to the file system for safety reasons.
Instead, you might want to look into the File System Access API. It’s a newer spec that allows web apps to interact with the local file system, but user permission is required. Keep in mind it’s not universally supported yet.
Another approach could be using service workers to intercept download requests and manage them within your app’s context. This won’t give you direct control over the save location, but it offers more flexibility in handling downloads.
For document protection, consider server-side solutions or encrypted downloads rather than relying solely on client-side methods.