[google-chrome] How to force open links in Chrome not download them?

I want to open a link that is .psd format with Photoshop when clicked in Google Chrome like Firefox that asks me to open or download the file. But Google Chrome downloads the file automatically. How can I force to open the links in Chrome without downloading? The links are for local files.

This question is related to google-chrome browser

The answer is


Google, as of now, cannot open w/out saving. As a workaround, I use IE Tab from the Chrome Store. It is an extension that runs IE - which does allow opening w/ out saving- inside of the Chrome browser application.

Not the best solution, but it's an effective "patch" for now.


To open docs automatically in Chrome without them being saved;

  1. Go to the the three vertical dots on your top far right corner in Chrome.

  2. Scroll down to Settings and click.

  3. Scroll down to Show advance settings...

  4. Scroll down to Downloads under Download location: click the Change button and chose tmp folder. Then just close the screen.

  5. Click on any attachments and a small box to the left will appear, it should automatically open if you click on it.

  6. When the bottom left box appears it will contain an arrow; click on it and choose the option "Always open files of this type". Going forward it will open the file instantly instead of the small box appearing to the left and you having to click on it to open. You will have to do it just once for various files such PDF, Excel 2010, Excel 2013 Word, ect.


Great question.

It can be achieved via an extension:


I think the question was about to open a local file directly instead of downloading a local file to the download folder and open the file in the download folder, which seems not possible in Chrome, except some add-on mentioned above.

My workaround would be to right click -> Copy the link location Windows + R and paste the link there and Enter It will go to the file directly.


Just found your question whilst trying to solve another problem I'm having, you will find that currently Google isn't able to perform a temporary download so therefore you have to download instead.

See: http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chrome/Drge_Zrwg-c


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