Is it safe to delete windows download files

Documents, media files, and the like can be used regardless of where you put them. The only thing to be aware of regarding moving or copying them is re-accessing a file from the history e. If you open a file with your software while it is still in the Downloads directory and later move it somewhere else, the Recent Documents will still point to the old location and won't find it there. Directly executable programs don't get installed, you just run them. You can do that in the download directory or move them somewhere else.

To run them, you either go to the directory where they are, issue a command that includes the path to where they are, or create a shortcut of some kind that knows where the executable is located. If you move or copy an executable to somewhere else, any shortcut will need to be updated to point to where it is. Software installation packages typically unpack the actual software files or download the ones you need, and store those elsewhere, creating system links to the working files.

The installation package is then unnecessary. You can delete it, or save it in case you want to reinstall it without having to download it again. You can move or copy it; it won't make any difference where you run it from; it will always install its files where they are supposed to go.

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. They go to your recycle bin after deleting them. So you can delete it without causing problems on your system.

I recommend that all users regularly review the contents of their Downloads folder. Best eReaders. Best Gaming Monitors. Best Android Phones.

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Take Screenshot by Tapping Back of iPhone. Should You Upgrade to Windows 11? Browse All Windows Articles. Regarding this, how do I clean out Outlook temp files? Right-click the files you want to delete, and then select "Delete" from the pop-up menu.

Click "Yes" to confirm and send them to the recycle bin. Delete them from the recycle bin to remove them permanently. Maybe You Like: Can you wash outside windows after tint? Maybe You Like: Can you use rubbing alcohol to clean windows?