For many Apple Mac users, all things you download are stored in the download folder. If you don’t clean it up regularly, it would take up your limited storage space on your Mac. So, if you want to free up more space to let your mac run faster, the first thing you need to do is to delete the downloads files. In this series of short tutorials, I'll be showing you how to complete basic tasks on your Mac computer. So, to save space, explore the Downloads folder and remove all unnecessary files. Note that the two tips above can be achieved more quickly and easily if you use MacCleaner Pro. Here’s how to quickly clean up caches and downloads with MacCleaner Pro: Download and launch MacCleaner Pro. Switch to the Clean up Mac section. A Beginner’s Guide to the Mac Downloads Folder A typical problem new Mac users have is a Downloads folder that quickly fills with lots of files taking up a large amount of hard drive space. The Downloads folder is the default location for web downloads and it can be easy to forget to maintain it.
Over time, your Mac probably accumulates a lot of cruft. Old applications you no longer use, data you have no use for, a desktop full of icons (only four of which you actually ever use)…you know what I mean. With so many people working from home lately, the problem has only gotten worse.
Now is as good a time as any to tidy up your Mac, freeing up storage space and probably CPU cycles and RAM in the process. Here are a few tips to make quick work of your Mac “spring cleaning.”
Optimize Storage
Open the Storage Management app, either by using Spotlight (Command-space) or by clicking the Apple logo in the upper left of the menu bar, choosing About This Mac, clicking the Storage tab, then Manage.
In the Recommendations tab you’ll see a number of useful options, like Store in iCloud and Empty Trash Automatically. The Optimize Storage solution will get rid of things like old TV shows you’ve already watched and old email attachments when you’re low on storage space.
Take a look at your Applications and Documents
While you’re in the Storage Management app, click on the Applications tab in the left column. You can see all your installed applications here and sort them by size, easily deleting apps you haven’t used in ages.
Then, click on Documents in the left tab. There are several sections here, like Large Files and Unsupported Apps, that are worth perusing. Big library files (for apps like Lightroom or Final Cut Pro) are likely to show up here, and you might not want to mess with them. But you may have old large files and documents, or apps that no longer even work on your version of macOS, that you can safely remove.
Get your desktop under control
If your desktop is littered with icons, you should probably tidy things up a bit. Right-click (two-finger tap on a trackpad) any open space and choose Clean Up to get things arranged neatly, or Clean Up By to sort them as well. Consider the Use Stacks feature to automatically stack-up files of the same type into a single icon. Just click on that icon to open the stack. This can really tidy up your desktop!
Try DaisyDisk
Power users that really want to clean out their Mac’s storage may want to check out a third party app like DaisyDisk ($9.99). It’s a simple and clear way to see everything on your Mac, or any other attached storage device or drive. It can do things like dig into the mysterious “Other” category and help you clear out what you don’t need.
It may seem unnecessary to pay money for an app that just helps you delete stuff from your Mac’s storage, but there’s a lot of value in disk analyzers like this. It can really be eye-opening to see exactly what’s filling up your Mac’s SSD.
If you are a novice in terms of using a Mac, have you asked yourself where all your downloaded files go? By default, all your downloaded files go to the Downloads folder. This applies to any downloads made from web browsers like Chrome, Safari, or even from file transfer apps like AirDrop. Since the Downloads folder is the default download destination in Mac, you may want to know how to quickly access it. Below are some of the fastest and easiest ways to get to the folder and access your files.
Where to Find the Downloads Folder
In all Mac computers, the Downloads folder is located in the Home directory where it is aptly named the same, Downloads.
Another way to access it is to use the Finder’s sidebar.
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- Go to Finder > Preferences > Sidebar.
- Check Downloads to make it accessible in the Sidebar.
- To get to the Downloads folder in less than a minute, press the keys Option + Command + L.
How to Change the Download Destination on Your Browser
Although the default file download destination is the Downloads folder, it can be changed on your browser. For instance, on Safari, this is how you do it:
- Open Safari > Preferences > General.
- Under File Download Location, select a different folder where you want to save your entire Safari downloads.
Clean Downloads Folder Mac Catalina
If you are worried that you might have a hard time looking for your downloaded files once you change the download destination folder, don’t be. In most cases, a Download button will appear in the web browser’s toolbar after every successful download. If you click it, you will see a list of all your recent downloads.
How to Manage Your Downloaded Files
With all the wide assortment of files you’ve downloaded to your Mac, expect your Downloads folder to be very messy. Some files are redundant, while others are nestled with your app installers, photos, and copies of your monthly utility bills.
Sort all your files to make it easier for you to find what you are looking for. Use the Finder’s column view to filter the files by type or by date. If there are larger files that are no longer needed, delete them.
How To Clear All Downloads On Mac
Keep Your Mac Safe No Matter What You Download
Clean Up Downloads Folder Mac
While searching for something online, unnecessary files and applications may be unknowingly downloaded onto your Mac. Sometimes, you also find yourself downloading a plethora of stuff, which you don’t actually use and need.
Clear Downloads Folder Mac
Now, with all the junk files saved on your computer, it won’t be surprising that in the long run, your Mac becomes slow and inefficient. If you don’t want that to happen, start clearing space. Restore it to its former glory by locating the biggest space hogs using 3rd party cleaning tools like Mac repair app. Once you have identified such files, get rid of them. Your Mac will be thankful if you did.
Clean Downloads Folder Mac Os
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