Alright.... this may be a very stupid question, but...
you know how there is a "download list" that pops up when you are saving something to your pc (like an image or even a file)...
when you clear that list are those files gone forever?
or does mozilla hide them somewhere?

I downloaded a zip file, extracted it, but still want the actually zip file; however I hit "clear list" cos I'm an idiot!

when you clear the list .it does not delete the files you saved .. they will still be in the place where your downloads are stored

hmmm...
where would that be?
*ponders*
I have no idea where the mozilla stuff goes... I've never seen it in all my journeys throughout the folders, files, and drives

Viggy, it's true what Dogfox said.

The Download window that pops up when downloading file/s pops up to give you a status of the download in progress.
It's convenient for that ans also allows you to open the file/s (once downloaded) from the Download window also (provided you have not moved the file/s to another download location after downloading).

You can clear the list in the Download listing window (or some if you wish) at any time following completion of download. It does not delete the downloaded file/s...just the list in the window.

Your downloads are downloaded to whatever is the default location you choose in your browser's "Preferences" (not sure if it's called another name for PCs). If you are unsure as to what is your default download location, open the "Preferences" (or whatever it's called in PCs) window in your browser eg: Firefox (top left of browser menu) >Preferences. Click on the tab "General" and you would see a section for "Downloads" there. You will see within there "Save files to" and the location listed (usually the default location unless you change it at any time). That's where you will find the downloaded files (in my case my downloads location is "Desktop", which is my default location).

Below is a snapshot of my Firefox "Preferences" window for reference. Hope this helps.

I went to where it says it saves to... but there is nothing there...

You'll have to do a windows search for the zip Viggy

I gathered that