By default, Chrome allows you to download multiple files at once, but sometimes, you might run into problems if your settings are not properly configured. For example, Chrome might not ask you where to save each file before downloading, or it might block automatic downloads, leading to a confusing and inefficient experience.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the Chrome settings you need to check to make sure you can download multiple files smoothly. We’ll also show you how to use JavaScript to start multiple downloads at once. And, we’ll help you understand and fix common problems that can happen when downloading multiple files in Chrome.
Page Contents
Allowing multiple downloads in Chrome
The key to enabling downloading multiple files in Chrome lies in the proper adjustment of two primary settings: “Automatic downloads” and “Ask where to save each file before downloading.” Let’s dive into each one of them.
Linked issue: “Download Failed Blocked” on Chrome, Firefox or Edge
Automatic downloads
The Automatic Downloads setting plays a crucial role in controlling whether websites can automatically download multiple files without requiring individual user consent for each file. To adjust this setting, follow these steps:
- Access the Chrome menu by clicking on the three vertical dots located in the top-right corner, then click on “Settings.”
- From here, click on “Privacy and security.”
- You will then need to select “Site Settings.”
- As you scroll down the site settings page, you’ll find “Additional permissions.” Click on “Automatic downloads.”
- Within automatic downloads, you can choose to allow or block automatic downloads. For the purpose of downloading multiple files at once, you’ll need to ensure the “Sites can ask to automatically download multiple files” option is enabled and the website you want to download the files from is not included in the block list.
Useful tip: How to Download All Files From a Website Directory Using Wget
Ask where to save each file before downloading
In some scenarios, you may find that even with the correct settings, Google Chrome does not download multiple files as expected. A potential solution in such cases involves temporarily disabling the “Ask where to save each file before downloading“ setting. This approach may prompt Chrome to ask for permission to download multiple files from the website, which is sometimes required to initiate the download process. Here’s how you can go about it:
- Launch Google Chrome and locate the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the browser window. Click on the vertical dots to open the Chrome menu and select Settings.
- From the left pane, select Downloads.
- Here you will see an option labeled “Ask where to save each file before downloading.” If this option is enabled (the toggle switch is on), click on it to disable it.
- Now try to download the files again. Google Chrome will now prompt you to confirm whether you want to download multiple files from the site.
- In the prompt, click on “Allow” to let Chrome download multiple files from the site.
Remember, you can re-enable the “Ask where to save each file before downloading” option once your downloads are complete if you prefer to choose the save location for each file.
As always, please be cautious when allowing automatic multiple downloads from any website. It is vital to ensure that the site is trusted and secure to maintain the safety and integrity of your device.
Expert guide: Downloading HTML from a Website
Chrome is blocking multiple downloads
Sometimes, even after correctly adjusting the settings and implementing the techniques discussed above, you might find that Chrome continues to block multiple downloads. This behavior is due to a built-in security measure designed to protect users from potentially harmful automatic downloads.
While Chrome generally remembers your choice if you permit a website to download multiple files, there may be instances when it reverts to its default security stance and blocks multiple downloads.
When this happens, you’ll typically see a notification indicating that downloads have been blocked. This notification appears in the address bar on the right-hand side, symbolized by an icon of a box with a downward arrow.
Here’s how to handle this scenario:
- Click on the “Download blocked” notification in the address bar.
- A drop-down menu will appear, providing more information about the blocked downloads. Here, you’ll see the option “Continue allowing automatic downloads of multiple files.”
- Click on this option to permit the website to continue with the multiple file downloads.
By following these steps, you will instruct Chrome to override its default security settings for the current website, allowing it to download multiple files simultaneously. However, bear in mind that this setting is site-specific, meaning it will apply only to the website you’re currently visiting.
Always be cautious when overriding security measures. Permit automatic multiple file downloads only from trusted websites to maintain the security and integrity of your device.
Downloading multiple files using JavaScript
For more advanced users, JavaScript provides an intriguing way to download multiple files simultaneously in Chrome. By crafting a simple JavaScript script, you can initiate multiple downloads at once. Here’s a basic example to illustrate how this works:
// The files you wish to download
ar files = ['https://example.com/file1.jpg', 'https://example.com/file2.jpg', 'https://example.com/file3.jpg'];
// For each file...
for (var i = 0; i < files.length; i++) {
// Create a new hyperlink element
var link = document.createElement('a');
// Set the link's href to the file's URL
link.href = files[i];
// Set the link's download attribute to the file's name
link.download = files[i];
// Append the link to the body
document.body.appendChild(link);
// Simulate a click on the link
link.click();
// Remove the link from the body
document.body.removeChild(link);
}
To use this script, follow these steps:
- Open Google Chrome and navigate to the page where the files you want to download are located.
- Press
F12to open Chrome Developer Tools. Alternatively, you can right-click anywhere on the page, select “Inspect”, and then click on the “Console” tab to open the JavaScript console. - Copy the JavaScript snippet and replace “file1.jpg”, “file2.jpg”, “file3.jpg” with the actual URLs of the files you want to download.
- Paste the JavaScript snippet into the console and press
Enterto execute the script.
This script works by first creating an array containing the files you want to download. Then it creates a new hyperlink (<a>) element for each file, setting the href attribute to the file’s URL and the download attribute to the file’s name. This link is then appended to the body of the document, and a click is simulated on the link, initiating the download. Finally, the link is removed from the body.
This method works best when combined with the “Automatic downloads” setting enabled in Chrome, ensuring your browser does not block the simultaneous download of multiple files.
Please remember, using JavaScript to download files should be done responsibly and only with files and websites you trust, as this method could be misused for downloading unwanted or malicious files.
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Chrome won’t download multiple files
Despite correctly configuring the settings, you may occasionally find that Chrome is still not allowing multiple downloads. In such scenarios, here are a few troubleshooting steps to consider:
- Update Google Chrome: Always ensure that you’re running the latest version of Google Chrome. Click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner > Help > About Google Chrome. This action will cause Chrome to automatically check for updates and install them if any are available.
- Reset settings: Misconfigured settings can sometimes cause unforeseen issues. To restore your browser settings to their default state, navigate to “Settings” > “Advanced” > “Reset and clean up” > “Restore settings to their original defaults.” Then click on the “Reset settings” button.
- Disable extensions: Some extensions might interfere with the download process. To disable extensions, navigate to “Extensions” from the Chrome menu and toggle off any extensions that might be causing the issue.
- Clear browsing data: Accumulated cookies and cache can sometimes hinder the smooth functioning of your browser. Clearing this data can potentially solve the issue. Navigate to “Settings” > “Privacy and security” > “Clear browsing data.” Select “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files,” then click “Clear data.”
- Check antivirus settings: Sometimes, your antivirus software may interfere with your downloads. Check the settings of your antivirus software to make sure it isn’t blocking downloads or change the settings appropriately.
Conclusion
Downloading multiple files at once in Google Chrome can sometimes bring up challenges. These might include Chrome asking where to save each file every time or even blocking multiple downloads. However, with the correct settings in place, these issues can be easily solved.
It’s crucial, however, to use these features responsibly. While downloading multiple files at once can save time, it’s important to ensure that you’re doing so from trusted and safe websites. Internet safety should always be a priority, and Chrome’s default settings are designed with this in mind. So, when you adjust these settings or override security measures, it’s with the understanding that you’re maintaining the balance between functionality and safety.
