How to clear your downloads binder

Updated: 07/06/2021 by Figurer Promise

Downloading from Internet to computer

When you download a file from the Net, it is saved in your operating system'south downloads folder. Additionally, there is a record of it in your Internet browser. When a file is in the downloads folder, information technology tin can take up unnecessary storage space. Also, every bit it shows the files you've downloaded, it could be a security or privacy risk. To clear your downloads binder or download history, click a link in the list beneath and follow the instructions.

Windows logo

Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10

To clear the files in the Downloads binder in Windows, follow the steps beneath.

  1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type Downloads, and printing Enter.
  2. In the window that opens, highlight all the downloaded files using your mouse or press Ctrl+A. If you lot do non want to delete all files just select the downloaded file you want to delete.
  • How to select or highlight multiple files and folders.
  1. Printing Delete to send the files to the Recycle Bin.
  2. To permanently delete the files, correct-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin in the drop-down card that appears.
Finder icon in macOS.

macOS and Safari

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

Note

As it's built in to macOS, these steps are the same 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 list on the left side of the screen.

Choose downloads

  1. Correct-click each entry and select Move to Trash in the drop-down menu.

Move to Trash selector.

Chrome logo

Google Chrome

To clear the files in the Downloads folder for Google Chrome, follow these steps.

  1. Open the Google Chrome browser.
  2. Click the Customize and command Google Chrome Chrome browser settings button in the upper-right corner of the screen.
  3. Select Downloads from the drop-down menu 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 deportment Google Chrome more actions icon icon in the upper-correct corner of the screen 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 y'all're using Microsoft Windows, y'all can besides meet our Windows steps for deleting downloads using Windows.

Firefox logo

Mozilla Firefox

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

  1. Open up the Mozilla Firefox browser.
  2. Click the Library Firefox Library icon icon near the upper-right corner of the screen.
  3. Select Downloads in the carte du jour that appears.

Downloads selector in Fire fox.

  1. At the lesser of the expanded carte, click Bear witness All Downloads.

Show All Downloads button in Firefox.

  1. Yous may delete each file individually using the Delete key. To remove them all at once, right-click in the downloads section and select Clear Downloads in the driblet-down carte du jour.

Clearing downloads folder in Firefox.

Tip

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

Tip

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

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge

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

  1. Open up the Microsoft Border browser.
  2. Click the Settings and more icon Microsoft Edge More menu in the upper-correct corner of the browser window.
  3. In the drib-down menu, select Downloads.
  4. You can remove files individually past clicking the X icon in Edge icon, or delete all files by clicking Clear all.

Clearing downloads folder in Edge.

Tip

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

Tip

If you're using Microsoft Windows, you can too meet our Windows steps for deleting downloads using Windows.

Microsoft Edge Legacy logo

Microsoft Edge Legacy

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

  1. Open the Microsoft Border browser.
  2. In the upper-right corner, select the Hub Edge hub button button.
  3. Click the icon that looks like a down arrow.
  4. You can delete each file individually past clicking Microsoft Edge remove x adjacent to the file entry, or click Clear all to delete all files.

Tip

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

Tip

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

Internet Explorer logo

Microsoft Internet Explorer

To clear the files in the Downloads folder for Net Explorer, follow these steps.

  1. Open the Cyberspace Explorer browser.
  2. Click the Gear IE tools icon icon in the upper-correct side of the window.
  3. Click View downloads in the drop-down bill of fare that appears.
  4. You may delete each file individually by clicking the X next to the file entry, or click Articulate list to delete all files.

Clearing downloads in Internet Explorer.

Tip

In Net Explorer, press Ctrl+J to open your Downloads folder.

Tip

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

Opera browser logo

Opera

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

  1. Open up the Opera browser.
  2. Click Menu button in Opera. in the upper-left corner of the window.
  3. In the driblet-down menu that appears, select Downloads.
  4. In the tab that opens, you lot may delete each entry individually past 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 button in the upper-correct 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, yous can also come across our Windows steps for deleting downloads using Windows.