Pasting a download link into Google Chrome for OS X

When I want to download something in Safari, like http://foo.com/bar.zip, all I have to do is paste that link into the Downloads window. Is there a way to do this in Chrome?

I've gotten used to Safari, hitting ⌥⌘L (Downloads window), and then pasting. It's quick, neat, and saves me from going to File » Save As….

I like to keep my hands on the keyboard, so if there is a quick way to do this without using a mouse, that's my ideal solution.

fakeit

Posted 2010-12-23T22:36:53.520

Reputation: 215

Just [select and] drag the link to the tabs area. You can go to Options->Under the Hood->Downloads to change the folder and disable the File Save As – Mateen Ulhaq – 2010-12-23T22:41:44.327

Thanks for the quick response. I've edited my question above. – fakeit – 2010-12-23T22:49:56.297

If you're open for other solutions, I'll look into making an Automator/AppleScript solution. – Daniel Beck – 2010-12-23T23:07:57.397

Ooooo, apple script. I like where you're going there Beck. – fakeit – 2010-12-23T23:08:39.253

Note you can paste a link into Firefox's downloads window to start a download. I just wish Chrome had this tiny feature too. – styfle – 2012-08-20T22:27:57.640

Answers

Using Automator, it's quite easy to create a Service that downloads selected URLs.

Open Automator, create a Service that receives URLs as input in any application. Add the Download URLs action (don't worry about the Safari icon, the application isn't used at all or even started when executing). Save as "Download URL" or similar. You can now access the service from Application menu » Services » Download URL

Go to System Preferences » Keyboard » Keyboard Shortcuts » Services, locate your new service, and assign a keyboard shortcut.

To use your service, select a URL and press the assigned keyboard shortcut. The file will appear in the folder specified in Automator.

You can optionally append the Reveal Finder Items Automator action. This would open your downloads folder after the file is saved, and select the downloaded file.

Daniel Beck

Posted 2010-12-23T22:36:53.520

Reputation: 98 421

Wow, well done sir. That is a great work around! – fakeit – 2010-12-23T23:17:18.523

Again, I'd vote you up if I could. I'll try using my mind again... – fakeit – 2010-12-23T23:17:36.997

@fakeit Thanks anyway. You'll get there in time ;) Good question by the way, I've been bothered by a similar problem, but didn't care to solve it until now... – Daniel Beck – 2010-12-23T23:19:49.443

Well I appreciate your timely solution. Now I can get on to listing to my buddy's new tunes. All this, and I don't have to leave the keyboard! Geekiness accomplished! – fakeit – 2010-12-23T23:20:56.587

Paste it into the URL bar and press Return. You can reach it using Cmd-L.

While Safari allows you to Option-Return to download any URL this way, Chrome does not support that, so http://example.org/file.zip will download, http://example.org/file.htm won't.

Daniel Beck

Posted 2010-12-23T22:36:53.520

Reputation: 98 421

What about http://example.org/file.mp3? Those are some of the more common files I'm downloading. My friend wants me to check out his music, so I copy from chat and paste to the browser. I'd love it to just drop into my downloads folder if possible.

– fakeit – 2010-12-23T23:01:32.773

@fakeit Same problem as with htm. Don't know if there's another way. You probably should edit your question to reflect that it's about files with viewing support in your browser. – Daniel Beck – 2010-12-23T23:04:01.270

Ah okay. This is why I love safari's download window. Handy little cheat :) – fakeit – 2010-12-23T23:04:26.920

@fakeit As I wrote, in Safari, it's not even necessary. Just Option-Return the URL in the navigation bar and it'll download. Chrome seems to be missing both options though. – Daniel Beck – 2010-12-23T23:05:40.520

Very true. I'm hooking you up with a +1 since, while you didn't solve the original problem, you made me an even geekier Safari user. Well done. --edit-- or at least I will when I hit 15 rep, it would seem :) – fakeit – 2010-12-23T23:07:15.463

Ha ha! I've hooked you up with a +1 using only my mind! – fakeit – 2010-12-23T23:15:24.673

Press CMD + S in the Chrome browser window where the URL is displaying and it should automatically download the URL :)

K2R

Posted 2010-12-23T22:36:53.520

Reputation: 11

3This is simply not working or you'll have to explain better. Where is the URL displaying in the first place? If I paste an URL to the address bar, pressing ⌘S won't do anything. – slhck – 2012-04-05T12:25:38.413

Create a new text document in a text editor (eg. notepad). Copy/paste the code below into the file, inserting your link. Save it as a .htm file (you may need to surround the new filename with quotes ie. save it as "downloader.htm"). Open it in your browser and right click-save as to download! Simples!

<HTML><BODY><A HREF="your_link_here">LINK!</a></BODY></HTML>

Cheers,

Rob

Posted 2010-12-23T22:36:53.520

Reputation: 1

I know this is a late answer, but I'm putting it here for anybody who may still stumble upon this post as I just have. If the previous answers do not suit your needs, you can do as follows:

1) In Google Chrome, right click the element in which the file you're interested is contained.

2) Select "Inspect Element" to quickly locate the section of HTML in which the element is defined.

3) Locate the portion of the element tag in which the "HREF" or "SRC" is written and copy the URL contained within.

You now have a number of options:

4a) If you intend to save a video, music, or an image, you should be able to right click the element and select the "Save [file type] as..." option in the drop down menu.

4b) Alternatively, for most filetypes, you can use an online download tool by copying and pasting the URL found in step 3 into a form and simply hitting "Enter", as is the case for the online download tool, File2HD.com.

David Schilpp

Posted 2010-12-23T22:36:53.520

Reputation: 1