How to Change the Default Download Directory for Google Chrome Using Selenium and Python

Struggling with changing the download directory in Google Chrome with Selenium? This guide walks you through the steps to effectively set up your download directory using Python.
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Unable to change default download directory for google chrome while downloading using Selenium - python

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
How to Change the Default Download Directory for Google Chrome Using Selenium and Python

If you're using Selenium in Python to automate downloads with Google Chrome, one common issue you may encounter is being unable to change the default download directory. This problem can be frustrating, especially when you want your downloaded files organized in a specific folder. In this guide, we will address this issue and provide a solution to ensure your downloaded files end up exactly where you want them.

Understanding the Problem

When working with Selenium, particularly in Jupyter notebooks or automated script execution, you might find that the default download directory for Chrome isn't set to your preferred location. Even after configuring the download preferences within your Selenium code, you might still see files being downloaded to the default Downloads folder.

Common Scenario

For instance, if you're trying to download a research paper from a site like PubMed, your code may look something like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Even with this code implemented, the download might not occur in the specified directory.

Solution: Correcting the Download Directory Configuration

To resolve this issue, we need to ensure the settings for changing the download directory are correctly applied in your script. Here’s how you can do it step by step:

Step 1: Import Necessary Libraries

Start by importing the necessary modules from Selenium:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Configure ChromeOptions

Create an instance of ChromeOptions and set the preferred download directory with the appropriate options:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Note: Make sure to set the path to a valid directory on your system that you have access to while using double backslashes (\).

Step 3: Writing the Automation Script

Now, you can continue writing your automation script to download files. Here is a simplified example of how you could structure your code:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Final Thoughts

By following this structured approach, your downloads should now occur in your specified directory, eliminating the issue of disorganization. Now, each time you automate your browser, you can be assured that your files will be exactly where you want them.

If you continue to face difficulties, be sure to double-check the file paths and permissions of the folders you’re working with. Happy coding!