Downloading files from links you find on the internet is a common task for many computer users. Whether you want to download an image you found on a website, a software update, or any other type of file, knowing how to easily download files from links is a useful skill.
In this article, we’ll walk through the steps for downloading files from links using the most common internet browsers – Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. We’ll cover how to download files from direct download links, links on web pages, and from cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox. By the end, you’ll know how to quickly and easily download files from any link you encounter on the web.
Download Files from Direct Links
Some links you encounter will directly link to a file download rather than a web page. These direct download links will instantly trigger a file download prompt in your browser when clicked. Here is how to handle direct file download links in the major browsers:
Google Chrome
When you click a direct download link in Chrome, you’ll see the file appear in the bottom left corner of the browser window. Click on it to open the file or right-click and choose “Save link as…” to save it to your computer.
Mozilla Firefox
In Firefox, direct downloads will appear in the top right corner. Click the download to open it, or right-click and choose “Save Link As.”
Microsoft Edge
Edge displays downloads in the bottom left corner like Chrome. Click to open or right-click and select “Save as” to save the file.
If you click the download link and don’t see the file download appear, you may get a prompt at the bottom or top of the browser asking what you want to do. Select “Save” or “Save as” to download the file.
Downloading Files from Web Pages
Often the links you want to download files from will be located on web pages rather than direct links. For example, you may want to download an image on a website or software installers hosted on a vendor’s site.
Downloading files from web pages is a bit different than direct links. You’ll usually have to find the link on the page and then right-click to get the option to download the file.
Identify the File Link
To identify the link to the file you want to download on a web page, right-click on the file itself – like an image – and choose “Save image as…” or “Save video as…” This will save the file to your computer.
For files like PDFs, Word documents, or zipped folders, right-click on the link to the file. The link text may read something like “Download PDF” or “Download Zip File.” Right-click on the link text and choose “Save Link As” or “Save Target As.”
Using Inspect Element
Some web pages make it tricky to find the direct file link. In these cases, use the “Inspect Element” feature in your browser. Right-click on the element on the page and choose “Inspect Element.” This will open the HTML code for the page on the side and highlight the code for that element.
Look in the HTML code for a link to the file. It may be in a “src” attribute for images or a “href” attribute for links. Right-click on the link in the HTML code and choose “Save link as…” to download the file.
Downloading from Cloud Storage Services
Links to files stored on cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and others are common. Downloading files from cloud storage links involves a couple extra steps compared to normal direct or web page downloads.
Google Drive
For Google Drive links, click on the link and it will open the file preview on Google Drive. Click the download button in the upper right corner (downward arrow icon) to download the file. You may need to log into your Google account.
Dropbox
Dropbox file links will ask you to confirm your browser can access Dropbox. Grant access, then right-click on the Dropbox preview page for the file and choose “Save as” to download it.
OneDrive
OneDrive links open the file preview. Click on the “Download” button in the upper right and choose “Direct Download” to save the file. Log into your Microsoft account if prompted.
Other Cloud Services
For other cloud storage services like Box, Mediafire, Mega.nz, and others, click the link to open the file preview page. Then right-click on the preview and choose “Save as…” to download the file.
Troubleshooting Download Issues
In some cases, you may encounter issues trying to download files from links. Here are some troubleshooting tips for common problems:
Empty/Incorrect Downloads
If your downloads are empty or the incorrect file, try clearing your browser cache and re-downloading. On Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. Select “Cached images and files” and time range “All time” then Clear data.
Can’t Find Download Button
Some sites obscure the direct download links. Use “Inspect Element” to find the link in the HTML code if you can’t locate the download button.
Downloads Stuck in Progress
Download interruptions can cause a file to get stuck in progress. Pause then resume the download, and check your internet connection is stable.
Missing File Extension
Rarely, a downloaded file may be missing its file extension and appear as just the file name. Try re-downloading the file and make sure to enter the correct file extension when saving.
Access Forbidden
If you get an “access forbidden” error, the website may be blocking hotlinking or direct downloads of that file. Contact the website owner to request access to the file.
Downloading from Links on Mobile Devices
The process for downloading files from links is mostly the same on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. Here are the key things to know:
- Hold your finger down on the link instead of right-clicking
- Choose “Download Linked File” or similar option
- Use the browser’s “Share” menu to access downloading options
- Files may download to a separate “Downloads” folder rather than directly to your device storage
iPhone and iPad
On iOS devices like iPhones and iPads, hold your finger down on the link, image, or file. Choose “Download Linked File” or “Download Image.” Videos may need to be downloaded from a browser.
Android Phones and Tablets
On Android, press and hold links and files, then select “Download link.” You can also click the browser’s menu button and choose “Download” from there.
Other Mobile OS
On other mobile operating systems like Windows Phone, Blackberry OS, and Kindle Fire OS, check for a browser menu option called “Downloads” or “Save Link.” The downloading process is generally very similar to desktop browsers.
Conclusion
Downloading files from links you find during your browsing is handy for saving images, videos, documents, software, and more. Now you know how to easily download files using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and other major desktop and mobile browsers.
To recap, the key things to remember are:
- Direct download links will automatically trigger a file download
- Right-click on files on web pages and select “Save as…”
- Use “Inspect Element” to find direct file links in page HTML
- Cloud storage links require you to navigate to the file preview before downloading
- On mobile, press and hold on links then choose “Download” option
Knowing these tips will help you quickly download from links on any device. You’ll be able to easily grab files from the web to build up your image collections, gather research papers, download software and drivers, and more. Happy downloading!