How to Download a SWF File

By Chris Hoke

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When watching a video or playing a game online, you're probably viewing an embedded Flash or SWF file. This is done by way of a plug-in that has been installed in your browser. Like all files that your web browser views, a copy of the SWF file is downloaded to your computer before it is displayed. If you want to save one of these SWF files for later viewing, you may find it in your browser's files list.

Internet Explorer

Step 1

Click the "Tools" menu and choose "Internet Options."

Step 2

Click the "Settings" button in the "General" tab, under the "Browser History" subheading.

Step 3

Click the "View Files" button. Locate the SWF file that you want to save in the files list. Right-click on it, then choose "Copy".

Step 4

Open the folder where you want to save the SWF file. Click the "Edit" menu and choose "Paste" to save a copy of the SWF file in the chosen directory.

Firefox

Step 1

Open the web page that contains the embedded SWF file.

Step 2

Click the "Tools" menu and choose "View Page Info."

Step 3

Select the "Media" tab. Use the scroll bar to navigate the file list and locate the SWF file. You may click the "Type" column header to sort the files in the list. SWF (and other Flash files) will be listed under the "Embed" file type.

Step 4

Click to select the SWF file and click the "Save As" button. Choose a save location on your computer and click the "Save" button.

Opera

Step 1

Type "opera:cache" in the address bar.

Step 2

Press and hold the "CTRL" key and tap "F." Type "SWF" in the search box and press the "ENTER" key.

Step 3

Right-click on the SWF URL link and choose "Save Linked Content As." Choose a save location on your computer and click the "Save" button.

Safari

Step 1

Click the "Window" menu and choose "Activity."

Step 2

Choose an SWF file from the files list. Hold the "CTRL" key ("Option" key on a Mac) and double-click the file name, then click "Save."

Step 3

Choose a save location and click the "Save" button.

References

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