How to clear your Downloads folder

Updated: 05/03/2022 by Computer Hope

Downloading from Internet to computer

When you download a file from the Internet, it is saved in your operating organization'southward Downloads folder. Additionally, in that location is a tape of it in your Internet browser. When a file is in the Downloads binder, it can take up unnecessary storage space. Also, information technology could be a security or privacy take a chance as information technology shows the files you lot've downloaded. To clear your Downloads folder or download history, click a link in the listing below and follow the instructions.

Windows Vista, 7, eight, and 10

Windows logo

To clear the files in the Downloads folder in Windows, follow the steps below.

  1. Printing the Windows cardinal on your keyboard and type Downloads.
  2. Locate the Downloads file folder, pointer key downward to it, and press Enter.
  3. In the window that opens, highlight all the downloaded files using your mouse or press Ctrl+A. If you lot don't want to delete all files, you lot may select individual ones past holding the Ctrl key and left-clicking them.
  • How to select or highlight multiple files and folders.
  1. Press Delete to send the files to the Recycle Bin.
  2. To permanently delete the files, right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin in the drop-down menu that appears.

macOS and Safari

Finder icon in macOS.

To clear the files in the Downloads binder on your Mac computer, follow the steps below.

Notation

Every bit it'southward built into macOS, these steps are the aforementioned for those using the Safari browser.

  1. Select Finder from the Dock at the bottom of your desktop.

Finder icon in the Dock.

  1. In the window that opens, select Downloads from the listing on the left side of the screen.

Choose downloads

  1. Correct-click each entry and select Move to Trash in the drop-downward carte du jour.

Move to Trash selector.

Google Chrome

Chrome logo

Follow these steps to clear the files in the Downloads folder for Google Chrome.

  1. Open the Google Chrome browser.
  2. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome Chrome browser settings push button in the screen's upper-right corner.
  3. Select Downloads from the drop-down carte that appears.
  4. In the new window that opens, click Google Chrome remove x next to each entry you want to remove.
  5. To clear all entries, click the More actions Chrome browser settings icon in the screen's upper-right corner and select Clear all.

Clear all selector in Chrome.

Tip

In Chrome, press Ctrl+J (Windows) or Control+Shift+J (macOS) to view a list of your downloaded files.

Tip

If yous're using Microsoft Windows, you can besides see our Windows steps for deleting downloads using Windows.

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox logo

Follow these steps to clear the files in the Downloads folder for Firefox.

  1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser.
  2. Click the Library Firefox Library icon icon most the upper-right corner of the screen.
  3. Select Downloads in the bill of fare that appears.

Downloads selector in Fire fox.

  1. You may delete each file individually using the Delete key. To remove them all at once, correct-click in the downloads section and select Articulate Downloads in the drop-downwards menu.

Clearing downloads folder in Firefox.

Tip

In Firefox, press Ctrl+J (Windows) or Control+J (macOS) to view a list of your downloaded files.

Tip

If yous're using Microsoft Windows, you can as well see our Windows steps for deleting downloads using Windows.

Microsoft Border

Microsoft Edge

To clear the files in the Downloads folder for Microsoft Edge, follow these steps.

  1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
  2. Click the Settings and more icon Microsoft Edge More menu in the upper-correct corner of the browser window.
  3. In the drop-down card, select Downloads.

Clear all download history

  1. In the elevation right corner of the Downloads window, click the More options icon.

More options icon in Edge.

  1. Select Articulate all download history from the driblet-downward menu.

Clearing downloads folder in Edge.

  1. In the prompt that appears, click the Remove all button.

Remove all button in Edge.

Clear a single entry

To remove a unmarried entry, move your mouse over information technology, and click the trash can icon.

Deleting a single download entry in Edge.

Tip

In Edge, printing Ctrl+J to view a list of your downloads.

Tip

If you're using Microsoft Windows, you tin can likewise see our Windows steps for deleting downloads using Windows.

Microsoft Edge Legacy

Microsoft Edge Legacy logo

Follow these steps to articulate the files in the Downloads folder for Microsoft Edge Legacy.

  1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
  2. In the upper-right corner, select the Hub Edge hub button button.
  3. Click the icon that looks like a downwardly arrow.
  4. You tin delete each file individually past clicking Microsoft Edge remove x side by side to the file entry. Or, you may delete all files by clicking the Clear all pick.

Tip

In Edge Legacy, press Ctrl+J to view a listing of your downloads.

Tip

If you lot're using Microsoft Windows, you can also run into our Windows steps for deleting downloads using Windows.

Microsoft Net Explorer

Internet Explorer logo

Follow these steps to articulate the files in the Downloads folder for Cyberspace Explorer.

  1. Open up the Internet Explorer browser.
  2. Click the Gear IE tools icon icon on the upper-right side of the window.
  3. Click View downloads in the drop-downwardly bill of fare that appears.
  4. Y'all can delete each file individually by clicking Microsoft Edge remove x next to the file entry. Or, y'all may delete all files past clicking the Articulate list option.

Clearing downloads in Internet Explorer.

Tip

In Net Explorer, printing Ctrl+J to open your Downloads binder.

Tip

If y'all're using Microsoft Windows, y'all can also see our Windows steps for deleting downloads using Windows.

Opera

Opera browser logo

Follow these steps to clear the files in the Downloads binder for Opera.

  1. Open up the Opera browser.
  2. Click Menu button in Opera. in the upper-left corner of the window.
  3. In the drop-down card that appears, select Downloads.
  4. In the tab that opens, you lot may delete each entry individually by clicking the Opera kebab icon icon on the right side and selecting Remove in the menu. To delete all files, click the Clear downloads button push in the upper-right corner.

Tip

In Opera, printing Ctrl+J (Windows) or Control+J (macOS) to view a list of your downloaded files.

Tip

If you're using Microsoft Windows, you can also see our Windows steps for deleting downloads using Windows.