How To Get Rid Of Downloads On Mac

 

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

Keep Windows firewall enabled or get a third-party one. Keep your OS, browsers and security utilities updated. Malware creators find new browser and OS vulnerabilities to exploit all the time. Software writers, in turn, release patches and updates to get rid of the known vulnerabilities and lesser the chance of malware penetration. To get rid of all the downloads, hold down “Command” and click “A”. Another way to highlight all the contents is to press “Shift” when clicking the first item and then do the same with the last item. To delete just a few items, click on each of them separately. Right-click the highlighted elements and push the “Move to Trash.

Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10

But some users face issues when trying to get rid of Python package, which is why we recommend that you read a complete and safe deletion guide on how to uninstall Python on your Mac to prevent any issue. Contents: How to uninstall Python manually. How to uninstall Python using Terminal. The easiest way to uninstall Python from Mac. Here are the steps on how to delete downloads on Mac: Open Finder. Go to the Downloads folder. Select all files in the Downloads folder. Move selected files into the Trash. Another quick solution to remove downloads from Mac is to use MacCleaner Pro. The application automatically finds downloads, as well as other types of junk files on your Mac. To get rid of Any Search Manager you’ve to download a free Mac software to clean your computer. To remove Any Search Manager permanently from your Mac device. One of the best ways to get rid of Mac Mail downloads is using CleanMyMac X, a popular and easy-to-use app that over 3 million people are using to remove documents, files, images, apps.

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

  1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type Downloads, and press Enter.
  2. In the window that opens, highlight all the downloaded files using your mouse or press Ctrl+A. If you do not want to delete all files only select the downloaded file you want to delete.
  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.
Tip

If there isn't a Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, you can restore it. For help with getting the Recycle Bin back, see: Missing Windows desktop Recycle Bin icon.

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.

How To Get Rid Of Unconfirmed Downloads On Mac

  1. Select Finder from the Dock at the bottom of your desktop.
  1. In the window that opens, select Downloads from the list on the left side of the screen.
  1. Right-click each entry and select Move to Trash in the drop-down menu.
Tip

You may also clear download history entries by highlighting them and pressing Delete.

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 control Google Chrome 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 next to each entry you want to remove.
  5. To clear all entries, click the More actions icon in the upper-right corner of the screen and select Clear all.
Tip

In Chrome, press Ctrl+J (Windows) or Command+Shift+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.

Mozilla Firefox

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

  1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser.
  2. Click the Library icon near the upper-right corner of the screen.
  3. Select Downloads in the menu that appears.
  1. At the bottom of the expanded menu, click Show All Downloads.

How To Get Rid Of Downloads On Macbook Pro

  1. You 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 drop-down menu.
Tip

In Firefox, press Ctrl+J (Windows) or Command+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.

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 in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
  3. In the drop-down menu, select Downloads.
  4. You can remove files individually by clicking the icon, or delete all files by clicking Clear all.
Tip

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

Tip

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

How To Get Rid Of Downloads On Mac Desktop

Microsoft Edge Legacy

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

  1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
  2. In the upper-right corner, select the Hub button.
  3. Click the icon that looks like a down arrow.
  4. You can delete each file individually by clicking next 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 can also see our Windows steps for deleting downloads using Windows.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

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

How
  1. Open the Internet Explorer browser.
  2. Click the Gearicon in the upper-right side of the window.
  3. Click View downloads in the drop-down menu that appears.
  4. You may delete each file individually by clicking the X next to the file entry, or click Clear list to delete all files.
Tip

In Internet 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

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

How To Uninstall Software In Mac

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

In Opera, press Ctrl+J (Windows) or Command+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.

Additional information