How do I download audio content from 4shared?

I want to download an mp3 recording that a company has put online at the site 4shared.com, but every time I click on the "download" link, it actually opens up another window and plays the $#@$@# file with no download possible!

Dave's Answer:

That's a common problem and it's caused by Web browsers being too darn smart for their own - and our own - good. When I recently wanted to grab a file from 4shared.com, I experienced the exact same thing. Here's what I saw:

It sure looks like clicking on the little globe button would start a download, doesn't it? Unfortunately, it doesn't and instead I end up with this:

Audio Content played back with Quicktime, not downloaded

Not good, especially since the "Save" feature is disabled when I try to use it. Instead, the secret is to right-click (or Ctrl-click for you Macheads) on the globe icon on the download page. You'll get a pop-up menu with many useful options:

This is a general solution for anything you want to save, and in this case the choice I used was "Download Linked File As..." and gave it a mnemonic name. A few seconds later I had a nice MP3 file on my desktop ready to copy onto my iPod and review away from my computer.

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Categorized: Computer and Internet Basics (Article 7747, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: audio downloads, podcasts
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Reader Comments To Date: 1

William said, on July 24, 2011 7:56 PM:

Hi Dave,

When I tried to download MP3 from 4 shared and filestube it'll always given me another MP3 file example: I tried to get A, B, C but it will always given me D. Do you have any clue on this?
I'm using Windows XP SP2 and Firefox / Google Chrome

Thanks

William

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

How do I download audio content from 4shared?

Reader Comments To Date: 1

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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