Why is it no longer possible to force Chrome to allow user to select download location?

Regardless of the download settings, Chrome now automatically downloads all files to “download location” indicated in the settings, such as printing webpages to pdf or downloading a file from a link on a webpage. Having the box ticked to “Ask where to save each file before downloading” is permanently overridden. It’s my hope that someone here can help me to overcome this difficulty. I do not want anything in my downloads folder but new software installation files. Document files, once they download to the Downloads folder become duplicates or are lost. Please help us to restore normal function to Chrome. Thank you in advance!