How to: Overwrite existing files during download

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Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Google Chromeis one of the most popularweb browsersonWindows 10, and rightfully so.Chromesupports the latest standards as well as a wide array of features andextensions. Despite all these features,Google Chromehas one annoying flaw. Users are complaining thatChromedoesn’t allow you to overwrite existing files whiledownloading, and this can be sometimes annoying. If you’re having problems with this feature, today we’re going to show you how to overwrite existing files whiledownloadinginChrome.

How to overwrite existing files while downloading in Chrome?

Solution 1 – Change Chrome’s settings

By default,Chromewill automatically save all files to theDownloadsfolder without asking the user for confirmation. This process is quite straightforward and you just have to click thedownloadlink and the file will be saved directly to your PC. You won’t see any prompts, and the saved file will have the default name, so you won’t be able to change it. Since you can’t change the file name whiledownloading, files that have the same names will usually have a number in brackets that allows you to easily differentiate duplicated files.

This is a useful feature because it will allow you to quickly and easilydownloadfiles, but at the same time it will prevent you from overwriting your files by accident. However, this can be an issue for some users that want to overwrite certain files in order to keep just a single copy of a specific file. This eventually leads to a number of duplicated entries in theDownloadsfolder and it can make certain files harder to find. To fix this problem, you need to changeChrome’s settings, and you can do that by following these steps:

After making these changes, you’ll be asked to set adownloadlocation as well as a name for the file that you want todownload. In case you have the same file in yourdownloaddirectory, you’ll be asked to overwrite that file.

This method requires a few more steps whendownloadingfiles, but it offers more options in return. In addition to choosing adownloadlocation for your files, you’ll be also able to overwrite your files.

Solution 2 – Use third-party extensions

If you want to overwrite existing files whiledownloading, you can do so by using third-party extensions. There are several Chrome extensions available that can help you with this problem. Two most popular ones areDownloads Overwrite Existing FilesandDownloads Overwrite Already Existing Files.

Both extensions work the same way, and they will scan yourdownloadfolder for any files that have a same name. If the file you’re trying todownloadexists in yourdownloadfolder, it will be automatically overwritten. We have to warn you that these extensions only compare file names and not the size of the files or their contents. As a result, you might accidentally overwrite important files. If you decide to use any of these extensions, we highly recommend that you be extra cautious in order to prevent file loss.

These extensions allow you todownloadfiles quickly and without any additional dialogs, but at the same time they don’t offer any warning massages, so you can accidentally overwrite important files if you’re not careful.

Overwriting existing files whiledownloadingis simple, and the best way to do that is to change yourbrowsersettings. By doing so, you’ll have to select thedownloadlocation and file name for each file, but you’ll be also able to overwrite files easily. If you want more automatic solution, you can also use the extensions that we mentioned, but be careful not to overwrite important files by accident.

How to: Overwrite existing files during download#

How to overwrite existing files while downloading in Chrome?#

Solution 1 – Change Chrome’s settings#

Solution 2 – Use third-party extensions#

How to: Overwrite existing files during download

How to overwrite existing files while downloading in Chrome?

Solution 1 – Change Chrome’s settings

Solution 2 – Use third-party extensions