How to Enable/Disable Multiple File Downloads in Chrome


By default, Google asks for confirmation whenever a site attempts to download multiple files automatically. In spite of this, if you want to block the attempts from the site or you want to blacklist any particular website, this is how you do it.

Certain times, when you download a file in a browser, the website will attempt to download another file once you are done. Although there are legal scenarios such as file conversation sites, certain sites use this method to force download harmful scripts or virus into your system without you knowing. For the sake of security, Chrome cautions you when a site tries to download numerous files.

How to Disable Multiple Automatic File Downloads

Open Chrome browser, click the menu icon, then select “Settings” or you type chrome://settings/ into the Omnibox and hit Enter.

As soon as the Settings tab opens, scroll down and click “Advanced”.

Scroll down to the Privacy and Security segment and click “Site Settings”.

Scroll down the list of settings there until you find “Automatic Downloads” then click it.

By default, the setting is saved to ask permission when a site tries to download multiple files which is recommended. But if you want to block all site from downloading files in succession, toggle the switch to Off.

How to Enable Automatic File Downloads but Block certain sites

Blocking all sites from downloading files in succession is not recommended as all attempts to download will be stopped irrespective of its origin even if they are legitimate. But if you want to still block some sites and permit the ones you trust, you can blacklist only the sites you are suspicious of.

To do this, go to Settings > Site Settings > Automatic downloads or type chrome://settings/content/automaticDownloads into the Omnibox and hit Enter. Next, toggle the switch to On.

Then, click on “Add” close to the Block heading.

Type in the URL of the website you want to blacklist or you can just copy and paste it if it’s already open, then you click “Add”.

When you type in the address, if you want the whole site blocked, use [*.] prefix to catch all subdomains from the website.

Now, all you have to do is to keep redoing this process for any more sites that download files in succession that you want to blacklist. Once blacklisted, Chrome automatically blocks downloads from the site and does not even disturb you with a prompt.



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