963      iPhone_iPad_Mac_apple

Can I customize my Download folder?

Hi guys!!

I have my new iMac 27-5K and I don't want to backup restore. I want to start again without backups...

Well, Only my download folder I restore but this folder is very messy and I want to know if is possible to customize this folder for example:

- mkv files automatically move to "movie"

- pdf or doc files automatically move to "Documents"

- dmg files automatically move to "apps"

That is, all content is automatically moved to the folders I choose from my download folder.

Is this possible? Using automator maybe?

Thanks

The answer is folder action, and it is solved with a script attached to a specific named folder that processes each dropped file in a loop, checks the file extension, and then moves the file to the delegated filesystem location.

You set your default browser download location to this “drop folder” and the rest is automatic. I might add that a .dmg extension is not an application, but rather a container that quite likely either houses an application, or its installer package. You can add this to the script if you choose, but I left it out.

You start with Launchpad : Other : Automator. New : Folder Action : Choose. Then you click on Utilities : Run Shell Script, and drag it to the right into the larger Workflow window as I have shown below. I might add that in Sierra's Automator, the Run Shell Script is located in the Automator library item.

When done, you save, give the folder action a name, and it is then saved to ~/Library/Workflows/Applications/Folder Actions. In the following example, Outdir is a folder on my Desktop.

When you have saved the Folder Action and quit Automator, you then right-click on the same folder that  you declared in the Automator folder action. Choose the Services... menu, and Folder Actions Setup... . A panel will appear with the folder action already assigned, but the target directory still needs to be checked. Then drag/drop something from the Desktop into the folder to be satisfied that it works.

It would be much easier to set your browser to automatically download something to a certain folder. Personally, I never use the download folder as I'd probably forget that there is something there. For instance, apps should be installed in the Applications folder and run from there - after that, there is no need for a .dmg. In Safari, go to Preferences > General and select the folder you want to download to.

FWIW, I set all browsers to download to the Desktop and deal with them as each file is downloaded. As babowa stated, there is no reason to keep .dmg files around. Unless of course your download speed is <= 1 Kb/s.

Ok, I understand what you mean, but that answer is not what I need ;)

I want to automatize all files that download in download folder.  Order by extension or  file type in other folder.

Simple example: if download a pdf file I need that this file move automatically to document folder but if I download a avi file I need that automatically move to movie folder

You can sort the folder by kind. Select the List view. Then click on the "Kind" title.

macOS Sierra: Ways to view items in Finder windows

I’m so sorry boys but I think that nobody understand my :( It’ possible that my Enghish is very very bad

Only I want that all files download in download folder, depending extension or type, system move to other folders automatically... I think that need an automator script and It say “all files with pdf extension download in download folder, move to document folder”

GoldFran wrote:

 

I want to automatize all files that download in download folder.  Order by extension or  file type in other folder.

FWIW, your OP was clear as to what you want. The first problem is you would have to have something running in the background watching your download folder in order to do that.

It would be much easier assuming you use Safari to set "File download location" to "Ask for each download" then choose the folder you would like it in.

Another option would be to learn to code and write something because I doubt there is any third-party app created for the purpose.

The answer is folder action, and it is solved with a script attached to a specific named folder that processes each dropped file in a loop, checks the file extension, and then moves the file to the delegated filesystem location.

You set your default browser download location to this “drop folder” and the rest is automatic. I might add that a .dmg extension is not an application, but rather a container that quite likely either houses an application, or its installer package. You can add this to the script if you choose, but I left it out.

You start with Launchpad : Other : Automator. New : Folder Action : Choose. Then you click on Utilities : Run Shell Script, and drag it to the right into the larger Workflow window as I have shown below. I might add that in Sierra's Automator, the Run Shell Script is located in the Automator library item.

When done, you save, give the folder action a name, and it is then saved to ~/Library/Workflows/Applications/Folder Actions. In the following example, Outdir is a folder on my Desktop.

When you have saved the Folder Action and quit Automator, you then right-click on the same folder that  you declared in the Automator folder action. Choose the Services... menu, and Folder Actions Setup... . A panel will appear with the folder action already assigned, but the target directory still needs to be checked. Then drag/drop something from the Desktop into the folder to be satisfied that it works.

Interesting. I assume it works. I guess I never have downloaded so many files I need to automate where they are stored.

I download to the desktop and deal with it from there (file/install/edit/whatever).

I tested it and it works. You can assume that.

I personally do not need to automate download dispersal either.

babowa wrote:

 

I download to the desktop and deal with it from there (file/install/edit/whatever).

Me too.

I understood what you want to do.

And I'll stick with what I said: it is much easier to set the option in the browser. The download will never even wind up in the downloads folder - it will go directly to the location you picked.

VikingOSX wrote:

 

I tested it and it works. You can assume that.

I assumed you tested it hence my assumption.

GoldFran, I use a utility called Hazel to do just what you are asking about. You can automate all sort of things with it. It is simpler to use than creating applescripts.

最后更新：2017-08-31 10:24:09

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