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Keep Original Image Filenames — Bulk Image Downloader Pro

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Source filenames often carry real meaning—a SKU, a model number, a date stamp, a slug your team already searches for. Bulk saves that ignore naming dump everything into image(1).jpg and force a manual rename pass. To keep original image filenames, tell the downloader to use the server name from each URL and handle collisions before Chrome appends its own suffix.

Bulk Image Downloader Pro controls naming on the options page through the Filename Constructor and optional CSV name lists.

Step 1: understand why bulk downloads mangle names

Two problems collide in big batches:

  • Chrome adds (1), (2) when two sources share the same filename
  • CDN query strings turn photo.jpg into photo.jpg?w=800 on disk unless the tool strips them

Explicit naming rules prevent both.

Step 2: preserve the URL filename with the Filename token

Enable Filename Constructor on the task and add the Filename token—it pulls the original stem from each image URL. Extensions append automatically from the real file type, so you do not get double .jpg.jpg endings.

When two URLs would collide, add a Sequence token or [timestamp] suffix after the Filename token so the recognizable name stays readable: sku-8842-01.jpg instead of a random rename.

Step 3: map exact names from a spreadsheet

When filenames come from a catalog, not from URLs, upload a .txt or .csv with one name per line through Custom Filenames from File in the Filename Constructor. Line order must match URL order exactly.

Licensed PRO bulk CSV import can restore full tasks with custom filename mappings on re-import. For a dedicated walkthrough, see import custom filenames from CSV.

Step 4: clean URLs so names stay tidy

Query strings sabotage clean filenames. Run the redirect checker to resolve chains to canonical endpoints, then use Download IF URL rules to skip parameter-heavy variant URLs when a clean path exists. Fewer junk parameters mean the Filename token extracts a searchable name.

Step 5: save the naming recipe

Save the Filename Constructor pattern as part of a reusable task or Saved Rule so the next batch from the same supplier lands with the same naming scheme—no spreadsheet re-mapping unless the URL list changes.

Tier note

Filename Constructor and custom filename file upload require Try PRO or Licensed PRO. Basic (Free) supports URL-list downloads without advanced naming patterns.

Install Bulk Image Downloader Pro when server names should survive bulk download intact.

Continue reading: Download Images With Sequential Filenames.

Get Bulk Image Downloader Pro on the Chrome Web Store, watch the tutorial video, or visit our YouTube channel for more filename preservation tips.