3 Best Ways to Stop Downloads From Opening Automatically in Chrome

3 Best Ways to Stop Downloads From Opening Automatically in Chrome

Google Chrome does not automatically open downloaded files by default. But it gives you the possibility, via the download shelf, to automatically launch files by type. So, if some files continue to open after each download, you must have specified the browser to do so (intentionally or accidentally) in the past. Likewise, you can also prevent Chrome from automatically opening your downloads.


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There are several ways to prevent Google Chrome from launching a file in its default program after the download is complete on your PC or Mac. You can either reconfigure the browser to prevent it from launching a certain file type, clear all auto-open download preferences, or use Guest mode to override profile-specific download settings. Let’s see them.

1. Prevent file type from opening automatically

The Chrome Download Shelf allows you to automatically launch files by type as soon as they finish downloading locally. You can do this for almost any file format; exceptions include executables (for security reasons) and PDFs (which have their own separate set of preferences for automatic opening).

If you want to prevent the browser from automatically launching a certain file type in its default program, you need to access the settings on the download shelf during a file download and reconfigure your preferences for that particular file format.

Step 1: Open Chrome, then start a download of the same type of file (ZIP, MP3, FLV, etc.) that you want to stop automatically.

2nd step: Once the file appears on the download shelf, quickly click on the little arrow next to the download file. Act quickly before the download is complete – otherwise it will open automatically and hide the download shelf.


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Note: If the file starts before you can do anything, try downloading a file with a larger file size, or from a site where it takes a while to download a file.

Step 3: Click “Always open files of this type” to uncheck the option.


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And voila! Chrome should no longer automatically open the file type after downloading. If that’s still the case, just restart the browser and you should be fine. Remember that you have to repeat the process for all other types of files that you want to prevent Chrome from launching automatically.

2. Clear auto-open download preferences

If you want to prevent Chrome from automatically launching multiple file types, you may not have the time (or patience) to change your preferences through the download area repeatedly.

In this case, you can clear your auto-opening download preferences via the browser’s Settings panel. Keep in mind that you cannot selectively delete file types from automatic launch; all files will stop opening automatically after you follow the steps below.

Step 1: Open the Chrome menu (click the three dots icon in the upper right corner of the window), then click Settings.


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2nd step: Expand the Advanced section, then click Downloads.


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Step 3: In the Downloads group, click Delete next to “Open certain types of files automatically after download”.


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That’s it. No file type should open automatically after the download is complete from here.

3. Use guest mode to bypass preferences

Rather than configuring Chrome to prevent a certain type of file from launching automatically or resetting the browser’s auto-opening download preferences, you can simply use Guest mode to bypass download settings. This is ideal for occasional cases where you want to make normal downloads without making any changes to your browser.

Guest mode works outside of your Chrome profile, so it doesn’t have any of your preferences. Although you don’t have access to your browsing data (bookmarks, passwords, history, etc.) in Guest mode, you can still use your normal Chrome profile to browse the Internet next to a Guest window.

Step 1: Click on your profile icon in the upper right corner of the Chrome window.

2nd step: Click Guest to open a Guest window.


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Step 3: Start a download. It should appear in the download area and normally save to the Downloads folder on your PC or Mac without launching it automatically.


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Point: You can have a download run in Guest mode and switch to your regular Chrome window via the taskbar (PC) or Mission Control (Mac).

To exit Guest mode, close the Guest window.

Choose the right program

Auto-launch file downloads are a treat in cases where you don’t want to waste another second to open them manually. But you don’t want this to happen all the time, especially when you are in the midst of serious work. The methods above should help you stop this – just choose the one that works best for you.

That said, Chrome’s download capabilities require serious overhaul. They are obsolete, not very intuitive and difficult to reconfigure. Aside from the boring download shelf that harasses you every turn, how about a few easy commands to manage your download speed? That would be great.

Then:

Did you know that you can download mass images in Chrome? Click on the link below to find out how.

Last updated on June 17, 2020

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