Save on waiting to download files with Chrome extensions

If you’ve ever tried to download large files (warez anyone?) for free from a file hosting site, there are usually waiting times of up to five minutes waiting for an available download slot. That is, unless you’re a paying member of that site. A few helpful coders out there have developed extensions for Chrome that eliminate you having to wait around for the counter to tick down.

While these extensions do not eliminate maximum download quotas or wait times, they do automatically commence downloading the file as soon as the wait time has elapsed. Major file hosting sites that have download helper extensions are: FileFactory, MegaUpload, RapidShare (see Auto Free and Auto Wait for alternates), and DepositFiles.

This type of extension is passive and works in the background. There is no icon in the upper right of the top bar to click as with other extensions. It will work automatically after installing. The only time you will see the effect of this extension is when you try to download from the applicable file hosting site (example with MegaUpload helper extension shown below).

If the extension is working properly, you should see a modified message next to the wait time saying the file will automatically start download when the count time has elapsed. Make sure you keep this page open though. Closing the page will cancel the process. As with all extensions these add-ons will not work in incognito mode unless enabled manually.

Have any of these extensions saved you some time? Let us know in the comments section.