Should files in the download folder be deleted

Note, though, that a few packages will set up the working files wherever the installation package sits, especially if the instructions say to move the installation package to a destination directory before running it, or you are inattentive and miss a prompt asking where to install it. So verify that the download directory does not contain any working files or a child directory with working files. If it does, the easiest solution is to uninstall it and then reinstall it in the desired location.

Summary: Within the limitations described above e. But there is no benefit to deleting the Downloads directory, itself. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. Is it safe to delete files in download folder Ask Question. Asked 3 years, 8 months ago.

Active 3 years, 8 months ago. Viewed 46k times. Improve this question. Downloading files to your computer can quickly fill your hard drive. If you're frequently trying new software or downloading large files to review, it may be necessary to delete them to open up disk space. Deleting unneeded files is generally good maintenance and doesn't harm your computer.

There are two main benefits to removing downloads from your computer. First and foremost, new space will be clear for future downloads. While documents won't take up much space on modern hard drives, large picture files for advertisements, videos and music files can quickly overrun your computer's storage capacity. Next, removing downloads will make finding files easier. My personal opinion of USB flash drives is that they are great for copying data from one computer to one computer or device to another.

Literally — Move is often implemented as a copy followed by a delete. Thank you for sharing this. I have always been curious about deleting downloads and you explained it very well in this article. Comments violating those rules will be removed. Comments that don't add value will be removed, including off-topic or content-free comments, or comments that look even a little bit like spam. All comments containing links and certain keywords will be moderated before publication.

I want comments to be valuable for everyone, including those who come later and take the time to read. Search Ask Leo! Can you safely delete set-up files of programs or updates you have downloaded from the internet? Since these were set-up or update files, I assume they were zipped, and that upon installation, the electronic carapace for lack of a better word became discardable? Is this correct, or is the downloaded file necessary to the proper functioning of the file or update that has been downloaded like a Jack-in-the-Box that would stop being a Jack-in-the-Box if you removed the box?

Which types of downloaded set-up files or updates are safe to delete, and which must remain if any must remain? Do this Subscribe to Confident Computing! I'll see you there! Podcast audio. Related Video. I'll show you how to find it and how to delete it. Here's a 4-step plan to managing that size and getting it back under control. Thanks You Reply. I remember my first computer loading dos up and then loading the program you would use, one at a time… No windows to switch programs with, at least not until Atari came out with a better unit and hard drives… Reply.

Everything is now back in working order. Because I had my old exe files. Thank you, Mark and Leo. Point is understood. Thanks Leo. Got it! Browse All Android Articles Browse All Smart Home Articles Customize the Taskbar in Windows Browse All Microsoft Office Articles What Is svchost.

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