To download files from a URL list without writing a script, open Simple Mass Downloader and paste your file links or import a TXT or CSV file. Review the detected addresses, open the Dashboard, select the files you need, and click Start download. There is no need to open a separate tab for every file.
The list still needs to contain accessible addresses. Importing a URL does not make a login-protected file public, and importing a web-page URL does not automatically turn it into a direct file link.
Decide whether to paste or import
Paste a short list when it is already on your clipboard. The extension recognizes addresses separated by newlines, spaces or commas. One URL per line is easiest to review and least ambiguous.
Use TXT or CSV import for a longer prepared list. Multiple files and drag-and-drop are supported, with a preview of valid, invalid and duplicate entries. Download our working CSV example to try a PDF and two images with suggested filenames.
A plain TXT example uses a reserved example domain:
https://example.com/files/brief.pdf
https://example.com/files/reference.png
https://example.com/files/specification.pdf
These are illustrative addresses, not downloadable sample resources. Substitute file URLs that you are authorized to access.
Prepare a structured CSV when names matter
A structured CSV can carry metadata such as url, filename, directory, sourcePage and tags. It is useful when a spreadsheet already contains the desired organization.
url,filename,directory
https://example.com/files/brief.pdf,project-brief.pdf,Project
https://example.com/files/specification.pdf,specification.pdf,Project
Keep the header names consistent with the import interface. Quote fields that contain commas, and avoid formatting that adds spaces or changes the URL. For an Excel or Google Sheets list, export the URL column as CSV; do not import an XLSX workbook. Spreadsheet display text is not always the underlying hyperlink, so check that the cells contain actual addresses.
Importing the list is not a cloud-file upload workflow. The extension uses the entries to prepare resource downloads. Destination behavior depends on your chosen save mode and its permissions.
Validate before selecting everything
Review invalid entries rather than ignoring the preview. Common mistakes include missing protocols, copied punctuation and cells containing descriptive text instead of URLs.
Deduplication operates on normalized addresses. It does not guarantee that different URLs return different file contents. If temporary tokens appear in query strings, preserve the required parameters; deleting them may remove access.
Test a small subset. Open at least one address directly and confirm that it returns the expected document or image. A link to a download landing page may save HTML, and a temporary URL may expire before a long queue reaches it.
Apply filters, names and a destination
Once imported, the resources use the same review and download workflow as page scans. Narrow by extension, source or keyword, then check the selected count.
If the CSV includes filenames and directories, inspect the final path preview. A custom filename must still have a suitable extension, and repeated names may need a counter. Standard downloads use Chrome’s download location and permitted relative subfolders. The Choose a folder option saves directly to a directory you authorize. It works with free credits; keep the Dashboard open until saving finishes.
For a modest collection, ZIP can provide a convenient single package. A ZIP uses credits for successful resources inside it, not one credit for the archive.
Handle batches larger than a comfortable test
The result collection supports up to 5,000 resources. Split a larger list into deliberate groups instead of assuming that every imported row will be retained. For ZIP, additional count, input-size and memory limits apply.
Use fewer simultaneous requests if a source site imposes rate limits. Increasing concurrency does not increase your network bandwidth and can make a restrictive server reject more transfers.
Keep Chrome running, and keep the Dashboard open for direct-folder saving. Review failed items after completion and refresh expired links before retrying.
When a pattern is a better input
If the addresses differ only by a known number, it may be easier to generate the list from a URL pattern. Preview the first and last generated URLs and verify that the range represents real files.
For human-readable output, continue with batch filenames and folders. For imported links that fail despite looking valid, use the access and transfer checklist.
