Why do downloads go to the small pop up window, and not just open?

[Crazydave]

Please go easy on me as I am new to Imac and apple systems. I have always used windows before, and when you open an attachment in windows it just opened in to a new window. Is there a way to do this on an imac, rather than have it go into the pop up downloads window, for you to then click it, for you to then delete it once you have read it. All I really want to do is look at it. It seems a very long winded way of looking at an attachment. Is there a way of changing the settings or is this just the way it goes.

Thanks in advance

 

[LPZ]

If you mean attachments to mail and you're using Apple Mail then you can just click on the Quick Look button on the Attachments line right above the body of the email.

 

[dissolve]

You can also double click the attachment to open it in its respective application.

 

[notjustjay]

Please go easy on me as I am new to Imac and apple systems. I have always used windows before, and when you open an attachment in windows it just opened in to a new window. Is there a way to do this on an imac, rather than have it go into the pop up downloads window, for you to then click it, for you to then delete it once you have read it. All I really want to do is look at it. It seems a very long winded way of looking at an attachment. Is there a way of changing the settings or is this just the way it goes.

Thanks in advance

Are you talking about downloading files in the Safari web browser? Whenever you download a file, it does pop up the little "downloads" window. You can set the preferences in Safari to automatically open "safe" attachments, and to clear the downloads window once a download is complete. Just go to the Safari menu at the top left and click on "Preferences".