File size changes from 0KB to xKB after download

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I know this does not belong here but don’t know where it does so maybe someone can move it accordingly.(Not really a problem -I admit- but it puzzles me) Why when I download a video to the desktop does it show as being of “0” size
yet if I drag it into a folder on the desktop e.g. it instantly increases to (7.65 KB) ? Proving that it is not zero as implied when I click on the original icon. Cheers Dave.

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I know this does not belong here but don’t know where it does so maybe someone can move it accordingly.(Not really a problem -I admit- but it puzzles me) Why when I download a video to the desktop does it show as being of “0” size
yet if I drag it into a folder on the desktop e.g. it instantly increases to (7.65 KB) ? Proving that it is not zero as implied when I click on the original icon. Cheers Dave.

It’s like the doctor told me when I said: “Hey doc, it hurts when I do this!” As you know I’m sure, his response was: “Don’t do that any more!”

I never have been a fan of putting ANYTHING other than shortcuts on the desktop. Why don’t you create a folder just for your downloading, then you can move stuff to where it belongs?

Which causes me to say that it seems this thread belongs in the Graphics Forum but an Admin will have to see about that opinion…

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In a weak attempt to answer your question, I would suggest that there is a possibility you have a User Profile with some corruption though it could be as simple as just how Windows is sizing the file from the Desktop to your folder. However, I have never noticed this before on any of my computers.

If you want to check if it is a User Profile issue, simply login to a different profile or create a Temp User Profile under User Accounts in the Control Panel . Then login under Temp and see if the you can still recreate the same problem. If the problem does not exist, you can create another User Profile for yourself and copy the pertinent data and settings over. But frankly if this is the only issue, I wouldn’t bother.

You can also try booting into Safe Mode and see if the problem occurs there. If it doesn’t, you many have a process or service running in the background that is causing this issue.

I apologize for not having a more direct answer for you.

BTW: While I agree that it is wise to place downloads in a download folder, the reality is that the Desktop is a folder that is simply displayed with wallpaper. There is IMO no reason you cannot download to the desktop for convenience and then move the file wherever you want later.

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I think this is a horses for courses question as everyone has different methods of working. Windows was originally designed to mimic an office environment and the Desktop was a virtual option prior to placing it in a folder IMHO.

As mentioned the Desktop is a method of displaying a system folder on a screen and there may be a slight lag to get file info. Try to righthand click the desktop and press refresh.

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I think this is a horses for courses question as everyone has different methods of working. Windows was originally designed to mimic an office environment and the Desktop was a virtual option prior to placing it in a folder IMHO.

As mentioned the Desktop is a method of displaying a system folder on a screen and there may be a slight lag to get file info. Try to righthand click the desktop and press refresh.

As I indicated at the outset, this is not really a problem just wondered why, when I downloaded something like a video to the desktop it appeared to be without size which suggested to me it might be just a link or less than the full file I was after. For convenience sake I have always downloaded to the desktop then dragged it to the desired folder. Thanks for the comments anyway. Dave.

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Dave

When I am doing SQL back ups I get the database to copy it to a specific folder on one of my drives, when I set it off I can see the file in the folder but it will show it to be 0 kb in size until such time as the whole back up has been completed. When completed it refreshes and the full 26 Gb size is shown.

It is a good question that is just one those general anomalies that we all know and love (?)….Refresh for this is the answer

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When the file is created, there is nothing in it – i.e., it has a size of zero bytes. After it is downloaded, it has the size of it’s contents, but the desktop display is not updated. The same would happen if it were in any directory / folder. Anything that forces a “refresh” would show the correct size.

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When the file is created, there is nothing in it – i.e., it has a size of zero bytes. After it is downloaded, it has the size of it’s contents, but the desktop display is not updated. The same would happen if it were in any directory / folder. Anything that forces a “refresh” would show the correct size.

As ever thanks loungers….. I am just curious when I come across anomalies like this though the reason is so often quite logic for those who understand this complex technology (and that excludes me I’m afraid, though thanks to the lounge, I am slowly learning). Cheers Dave.

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If you watch the progress of a large download into a small directory/folder in Windows Explorer you will see that two files are created:

* chosenfilename, which stays as 0 bytes throughout the download process
* chosenfilename.part. which gradually increases in size as the download progresses

At the moment the download finishes, the .part file disappears, and your chosenfilename changes from 0 bytes to the total file size. (Sometimes you have to press Refresh/F5 to see the filesize of the .part file increasing during the download.)

By the way, the only reason I say “into a small directory/folder” is so you can always see both files in the same window pane without having to sort on filename or date….

BATcher

Plethora means a lot to me.

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If you watch the progress of a large download into a small directory/folder in Windows Explorer you will see that two files are created:

* chosenfilename, which stays as 0 bytes throughout the download process
* chosenfilename.part. which gradually increases in size as the download progresses

At the moment the download finishes, the .part file disappears, and your chosenfilename changes from 0 bytes to the total file size. (Sometimes you have to press Refresh/F5 to see the filesize of the .part file increasing during the download.)

By the way, the only reason I say “into a small directory/folder” is so you can always see both files in the same window pane without having to sort on filename or date….

….stange you should mention that Batcher….I have noted in the past that when downloading a video or the like to the desktop there were in fact two icons which when the download was finished, became just one….. never gave it much thought but now I know a little more… not that it shall enhance my surfing pleasures much but interesting none the less… Dave.

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