Microsoft’s Windows 10 has become one of the most widely available operating systems, with over one billion users currently using the operating system. These include the veterans who have been using the OS for quite a while now, and some freshers as well, who are not familiar with the way this works.
Here, we shall look at how do you find recently downloaded files, and how to permanently delete files Windows 10.
How Do You Find Recently Downloaded Files?
The never-ending repository of the internet has certain files (images, videos, music, etc), that you may want to save locally. But where are the downloads and how do you find recently downloaded files? This can become especially infuriating if you do not get to see the download location before saving a file.
Also read: How to make chrome ask before closing all tabs
Default Download Folder
If you use Google Chrome to browse the internet and download files, more often than not the downloads are stored in the default download location in Windows 10. In a strange move, Chrome decided to do away with notification prompts, which may lead to you blindly downloading the files without any control over where the files are being downloaded.
The default downloads folder in Windows 10 (assuming C: is the OS partition) is:
C:\Users\<USERNAME>\Downloads
If your file explorer opens into Quick Access by default, you should see the Download folder right on the quick access bar. However, if it opens into This PC, you can either type the address into the address bar, or navigate to the folder using the navigation tree at the left.
Finding Downloaded Files
If you recently downloaded a file and do not know where the file is downloaded, you can quickly open the Downloads folder, as it is most likely the case the file was downloaded in this folder. However, if you have set up application defaults, you should check that folder as well.
However, if you are not sure where the file was downloaded, one of the easiest ways to find it is using the Windows Search. Microsoft has been developing Windows Search to be immensely powerful. While it does not compare to the likes of MacOS Spotlight, it is still powerful enough to search for local files and folders within seconds.
Simply open Windows Search using the keyboard shortcut Win + S. Type the name of the file that you downloaded, and you should see the file in the search results. Hovering over the file name should give you additional settings, where you can select ‘Open file location’.
Download Again
If Windows Search cannot find the file on your computer (it happens more often than you can think), you can try downloading the file again. This is to confirm that the file was downloaded, and if you get the confirmation prompt again, you can change the file location this time.
How To Delete Downloads On PC?
If you have downloaded extra files, or do not want to keep a downloaded file onto your computer, you can also delete downloaded files from your computer. There should be a dedicated key on your keyboard for the same, allowing you to quickly delete files and folders from your computer.
The Delete key on your computer removes the file from your file explorer. However, it will still be available for you in the recycle bin if you need it later. The recycle bin is basically a buffer storage space where your downloads will be stored for a certain time before it is permanently deleted.
How To Permanently Delete Files Windows 10?
If you do not want your files to be stored in the Recycle Bin, you can use another keyboard shortcut Shift + Delete to permanently delete files from Windows 10. When you delete using this keyboard shortcut, you will be presented with a different confirmation prompt, and the file will be deleted without first being stored in the recycle bin.
Also read: Windows Delete confirmation prompt
Wrapping Up
So, there you have it. Now you know how to find recently downloaded files, and how to permanently delete files in Windows 10 using the information provided above. Comment below if you found this useful, and to discuss further the same.
