How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac

Download a file

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 webpage where you want to download the file.
  3. Save the file:
    • Most files: Click on the download link. Or, 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
      How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
      . 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.
    • Webpages: At the top right, click More
      How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
      How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
      More Tools
      How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
      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, confirm by clicking Save. If you're not sure about the contents of the download, click Discard.
  5. When the download finishes, you'll see it at the bottom of your Chrome window. Click the file name to open it.

To find a file on your computer, next to the filename, click the Down arrow

How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
Show in folder or More
How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
Show in Finder. The files you've downloaded are also listed on your Downloads page.

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. Open Chrome
    How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
    .
  2. At the top right, click More
    How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
    How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
    Settings.
  3. Under "Privacy and security," click Site Settings
    How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
    Automatic downloads.
  4. Choose the option you want as your default setting.

Pause or cancel a download

  1. At the bottom, find the downloading file you want to pause or cancel.
  2. Next to the file name at the bottom of your screen, click the Down arrow
    How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
    or More
    How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
    .
  3. Click Pause, Resume, or Cancel.

See a list of files youve downloaded

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. At the top right, click More
    How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
    How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
    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 . 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 visit a site.
  1. Open Chrome .
  2. At the top right, click More
    How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
    How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
    Settings.
  3. Under "Privacy and security," click Site Settings
    How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
    PDF documents.
  4. Choose the option you want as your default setting.

Download an edited PDF

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

  1. Go to an online PDF form.
  2. Type in the PDF form.
  3. Select Download
    How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
    How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
    Edited.

Tip:You can open the edited PDF yousavedand 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
    How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
    How to stop downloads saving to desktop Mac
    Settings.
  3. At the bottom, click Advanced.
  4. Under the "Downloads" section, adjust your download settings:
    • To change the default download location, click Change and select where you'd like your files to be saved.
    • If you'd rather choose a specific location for each download, check the box next to "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, 8, 7 and Vista: \Users\<username>\Downloads
  • Mac: /Users/<username>/Downloads
  • Linux: /home/<username>/Downloads
  • Google Chrome blocks downloads
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