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When downloading a file from the Internet, using web browsers or the IDM program, the downloaded file is saved in the Download folder by default. Although you can change the default download location, the Downloads folder is the default download location for files in Windows 7,8,10. By default, this folder is located in the C drive, and as you know, the current Windows of your system is installed and running in the C drive. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent this drive from filling up for no reason and to empty the unwanted space that is occupied due to downloading many files from the Internet.

 

Depending on the size, volume, and several files, the Downloads folder of your Windows system can be up to several gigabytes of free space. How nice it would be to empty these files automatically without changing the storage location of the downloads. The good news is that it can be done, and by making a few small adjustments in the Windows 10 settings, you will be able to do it.

In Windows 10 version 16199, Microsoft introduced a new option in Storage sense to delete downloaded files in the Downloads folder automatically. When this item is enabled (this option is disabled by default), it will automatically delete unchanged files from the Downloads folder after 30 days. This feature only deletes files that have not seen changes in the last 30 days. This option is very useful and useful, especially for people who are constantly downloading from the Internet. For example, you download a program from the Internet, and after you install that program, you will no longer need its installation file. This file will fit in the Downloads folder and takes up space.

So, how should we configure the settings for deleting files downloaded in the last 30 days? Next, you will get to know these simple settings:

Note: Again, we point out this important issue: any file that remains unchanged in the downloads folder for 30 days will be deleted. If an important file is in this folder, copy it somewhere else before this feature permanently deletes it. However, we recommend that you save important files in a different location before they start downloading.

Press the combination keys Windows Key+I from the keyboard simultaneously to display the Settings window, or click on Start on your Windows 10 and click Settings from among the items in the menu to enter the Settings window. Then click on the icon related to the System tool here.

From the left panel, select the Storage option. In the Storage sense section, turn this feature ON by clicking on the available slider bar.

Under this option, click on the Change how we free up space link. Before clicking, make sure that the Storage sense option is enabled.

Now activate the third option from above, i.e., Delete files in my Downloads folder that hasn’t changed for over 30 days.

Thus, by performing these simple settings that take less than 1 minute, you succeeded in automatically deleting the downloaded files in the Downloads folder of your Windows 10 system.

In the new versions of Windows 10, this setting has made minor changes, and instead of an option on and off with a duration of 30 days, it has been placed as a combo box with different durations.

Just click the drop-down list of Delete files in my downloads folder if they have been there for over, and as you can see, this option is set to Never by default so that nothing will be deleted from the Downloads folder and this list. You can choose the duration you want.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.