How to Handle Security Pop-Ups in Chrome During File Downloads Using Selenium

Introduction

File downloads during Selenium automation can sometimes trigger security pop-ups, especially in Chrome. These pop-ups can interrupt the automation testing process and require manual action. 

In this blog, we’ll show you how to configure your browser with Selenium to bypass these pop-ups, making file downloads smoother and more efficient during automation.

Why File Downloads Trigger Pop-Ups in Chrome

Chrome shows security pop-ups during file downloads to protect users, but these can disrupt automation. To ensure smooth automation, it's crucial to configure the browser to bypass these prompts.

Steps to Disable Security Popup for File Downloads in Chrome

Turning off the "Prompt for download" feature.

Setting a default folder to save files automatically.

Disabling Chrome's security warnings for unsafe downloads

Configuring ChromeOptions in Selenium/in your automation script

download.prompt_for_download: Disables the prompt that appears when a file download is initiated.

download.default_directory: Specifies the folder path where downloaded files will be saved automatically.

safebrowsing.enabled: Disables Chrome's security pop-up that appears when downloading files flagged as unsafe.

Example 

import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeOptions;

import java.util.HashMap;
import java.util.Map;

public class FileDownloadTest {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Set the path to the ChromeDriver
        System.setProperty("webdriver.chrome.driver", "/path/to/chromedriver");

        // Create a HashMap to store preferences
        Map<String, Object> prefs = new HashMap<String, Object>();

        // Disable the prompt for file downloads
        prefs.put("download.prompt_for_download", false);

        // Specify the directory where the downloaded files will be saved
        prefs.put("download.default_directory", "/path/to/download/folder");

        // Disable pop-ups
        prefs.put("profile.default_content_settings.popups", 0);

        // Enable safe browsing to avoid security warnings
        prefs.put("safebrowsing.enabled", "true");

        // Set ChromeOptions
        ChromeOptions options = new ChromeOptions();
        options.setExperimentalOption("prefs", prefs);

        // Initialize ChromeDriver
        WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver(options);

        // Go to the download page
        driver.get("https://example.com/download");

        // File download logic here...

        // Close the browser
        driver.quit();
    }
}

Conclusion

By adjusting ChromeOptions, you can easily manage security pop-ups during file downloads in Selenium, allowing for smoother and more efficient automation.