Ask to overwrite duplicate on download instead of adding a number

[Grimace780]

I've been searching for a while for an answer to something and am hoping someone here can help.

When I download a file, if the filename already exists, a number (1) is to the end of the filename so a duplicate isn't created.

I would rather Mac not do that and ask me if I want to overwrite the file.

Is there a setting where I can change this?

 

[hobowankenobi]

Not that I am aware of. I expect it would be a bad idea as different files could have the same name, and if they did...you would overwrite a file with a totally different file.

But there is a bigger question: Why do you keep downloading duplicates?

 

[Grimace780]

Not that I am aware of. I expect it would be a bad idea as different files could have the same name, and if they did...you would overwrite a file with a totally different file.

But there is a bigger question: Why do you keep downloading duplicates?

Example: I use the Avery website to generate .pdf files to print labels. The .pdf is a temporary file that I don't need after I print. Thus I would rather overwrite the previous version of the file than junk up my Download folder with AveryFile (1), AveryFile (2) etc. I find it a pain in the ass to have to stop and remove the (1) that Apple so unhelpfully appends trying to protect me assuming I'm a noob.

I've been using Mac since the Macintosh Plus and System 4. Older versions of the OS didn't do this but would rather present a dialog box that read "Would you like to overwrite the existing file?" and give you a chance to overwrite or rename.