Download a file - Computer (2024)

To save a file or image on your computer or device, download it. The file will be saved in your default download location.

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. Go to the site where you want to download the file.
  3. Save the file:
    • Most files: Click the download link. You can also right-click on the file and choose Save as.
    • Images: Right-click on the image and choose Save Image As.
    • Videos: Point to the video. Click Download Download a file - Computer (1). If you can't do this action, the video's owner or hosting site has prevented downloads.
    • PDFs: Right-click on the file and choose Save Link As.
    • Web pages: At the top right, click More Download a file - Computer (2) Download a file - Computer (3) More Tools Download a file - Computer (4) Save Page As.
  4. If asked, choose where you want to save the file, then click Save.
    • Executable files (.exe, .dll, .bat): If you trust the file, click Save. If you're not sure about the contents of the download, click Discard.
  5. When you begin a download, a Download in progress iconDownload a file - Computer (5) appears on the top right next to the address bar. Once the download completes, the Download tray Download a file - Computer (6) opens.
  6. To open your file, click Open new Download a file - Computer (7).
    • You can also click the file to open it.

Tips:

  • To show extra actions like Show in Folder Download a file - Computer (8), point to the filename.
  • If you download a file, or if you’ve recently downloaded a file, the Download tray Download a file - Computer (9) will appear. Recently downloaded files will appear to the right of the address bar.
  • To view all downloads if the Download tray Download a file - Computer (10) isn't present to the right of the address bar, click More Download a file - Computer (11) Download a file - Computer (12) Downloads.
  • You can drag a downloaded file to another folder, program, or website. To move a downloaded file, in the Download trayDownload a file - Computer (13) , click the file and drag it to the target location.

Learn how to fix file download errors.

Change your default download permissions

You can choose to allow sites you visit to download related files together.

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. At the top right, click More Download a file - Computer (14) Download a file - Computer (15) Settings.
  3. Click Privacy and security Download a file - Computer (16) Site Settings.
  4. Click Additional permissions Download a file - Computer (17) Automatic downloads.
  5. Choose the option that you want as your default setting.

Pause or cancel a download

  1. At the top right, find the file download to pause or cancel.
  2. Point to the filename.
  3. Click Pause Download a file - Computer (18), Resume Download a file - Computer (19) , or Cancel.

Find a list of files you've downloaded

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. At the top right, click More Download a file - Computer (20) Download a file - Computer (21) Downloads.
    • To open a file, click its name. It will open in your computer's default application for the file type.
    • To remove a download from your history, to the right of the file, click Remove Download a file - Computer (22). The file will be removed from your Downloads page on Chrome, not from your computer.

Change default PDF download permissions

You can choose whether PDFs download or open in Chrome when you go to a site.

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. At the top right, click More Download a file - Computer (23) Download a file - Computer (24) Settings.
  3. Click Privacy and security Download a file - Computer (25) Site Settings.
  4. Click Additional content settings Download a file - Computer (26) PDF documents.
  5. Choose the option that you want as your default setting.

Download an edited PDF

You can edit a PDF online then save the edited version to your computer.

  1. Go to an online PDF form.
  2. Type in the PDF form.
  3. Select Download Download a file - Computer (27) Download a file - Computer (28) Edited.

Tip: You can open the edited PDF you saved and continue editing.

Change download locations

You can choose a location on your computer where downloads should be saved by default or pick a specific destination for each download.

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. At the top right, click More Download a file - Computer (29) Download a file - Computer (30) Settings Download a file - Computer (31) Downloads.
  3. Adjust your download settings:
    • To change the default download location, click Change and select where to save your files.
    • If you'd rather choose a specific location for each download, turn on Ask where to save each file before downloading.

Default download locations

If you didn't change your default download location, then Google Chrome downloads files to the following locations:

  • Windows 10 and up: \Users\<username>\Downloads
  • Mac: /Users/<username>/Downloads
  • Linux: /home/<username>/Downloads

Related resources

  • Google Chrome blocks downloads

Was this helpful?

How can we improve it?

Download a file - Computer (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Corie Satterfield

Last Updated:

Views: 6156

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Corie Satterfield

Birthday: 1992-08-19

Address: 850 Benjamin Bridge, Dickinsonchester, CO 68572-0542

Phone: +26813599986666

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Table tennis, Soapmaking, Flower arranging, amateur radio, Rock climbing, scrapbook, Horseback riding

Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.