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How to delete downloads on your MacBook?

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  • 4 min read

Whenever we download anything on a Macbook from the internet, the files get automatically stored in the downloads folder. These files can use significant space on your Macbook, which already comes with low space. Therefore, you might want to remove some unwanted files from time to time to clear up some valuable space.

In this article, we will guide you through how to locate and delete files from the Downloads folder on your Macbook in a few easy steps.

How to locate the Downloads folder on Mac?

There are two ways to go to your downloads folder — via finder and dock menu — and both of them are listed below.

Go to downloads via Finder

Step 1: Finder program runs on your Mac at the background continuously. Click on Go from the Finder menu on the top of your Mac screen.

How to delete downloads on your MacBook? | Candid.Technology

Step 2: Select Downloads from the dropdown menu and the Downloads folder will launch.

How to delete downloads on your MacBook? | Candid.Technology

Also read: What happens when you block a number on your iPhone?

Go to downloads via the Dock menu

If you have the dock menu enabled on your Macbook, you can directly go to Downloads folder by clicking on the downloads shortcut on the dock. To do so, follow the steps mentioned below.

Step 1: Click on the Downloads shortcut on the bottom-right side of your screen.

How to delete downloads on your MacBook? | Candid.Technology

Step 2: Click on Open in Finder.

How to delete downloads on your MacBook? | Candid.Technology

Alternatively, you can double-click (right-click) on the downloads shortcut and select Open “Downloads”.

How to delete downloads on your MacBook? | Candid.Technology

Also read: How to manage your Google Drive storage?

How to delete files from the Downloads folder on Mac?

To delete unwanted files from the downloads on your Macbook, open the Downloads folder using any of the two guides given above and follow the steps below.

Step 1: Hold the Command key + A to select all the files from the folder, or hold the Command key and click only on the files you want to delete. Then click on Files from the top-left side of your screen.

How to delete downloads on your MacBook? | Candid.Technology

Step 2: Click on Move to Trash in the dropdown list. Files will move to the trash bin, but this will not permanently delete the files, and you can restore them later.

How to delete downloads on your MacBook? | Candid.Technology

Step 3: To permanently delete the files, click on Finder and select Empty Trash.

How to delete downloads on your MacBook? | Candid.Technology

Step 4: Confirm the action by clicking on Empty Trash. Please note, once you permanently delete files, you cannot undo the action or bring back those files.

How to delete downloads on your MacBook? | Candid.Technology

Alternatively, you can select the files you want to delete and press the Command key and Delete key simultaneously. It will move the selected files to the trash can.

Also read: How to disable Memoji Stickers in iOS?

Monika Shukla

Monika Shukla

When not busy managing sports events, she tries to churn out sensible words on paper. Has an interest in tennis, photography, Hindi & Urdu poetry. You can contact Monika via email: monikashukla@pm.me

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