Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Windows
• Solving a problem
• Method 2 of 4: Mac
• Solving a problem
• Method 3 of 4: Android
• Solving a problem
• Method 4 of 4: iOS
• Solving a problem

When all those downloaded files start to pile up, they can take up storage space that you can use better. Regularly cleaning up your downloaded files will save you a lot of space and make it easier to find the files you want. The process of deleting your files depends on the operating system you are using.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Windows

1. Open your Downloads / My Downloads folder. You can open it by pressing Windows key + E and selecting the folder.
2. Find the file you want to delete. Most programs will put downloaded files in Downloads.
   • Some programs create their own download folders. When you know which program you downloaded the file with, check the settings to see where the files are stored on your computer.
3. Do a search for the file if you know its name. If you can't find the file in your Downloads folder, but you know the name, you can use Windows Search to find it. Press the Windows key and type in the name of the file. If Windows cannot find it, it will be displayed in the search results.
4. If you cannot find the file, open your browser's download manager. If you recently downloaded the file, it may still be listed in your browser's download manager. With this you can directly open the file location of the file you want to delete.
   • Chrome - Press Ctrl + J. Click "Remove from list" for the file you want to remove.
   • Firefox - Press Ctrl + J to open the Downloads section in the Library. Click the folder button to open the folder where the download is located.
   • Internet Explorer - Press Ctrl + J or click on the gear and select "Downloads". Click the link in the location column of the file you want to delete.
5. Drag the file to the Trash. Optionally, you can select the file and press Delete, or right-click on the file and choose "Delete".
   • If the file cannot be deleted, it may be because it is being used by another program. This is common with file sharing programs, as some users try to download the file from your PC. Close programs that might use the file and try again.

Solving a problem

1. I cannot delete the file. If Windows does not allow you to delete the file, it is probably because it is being used by another file. This is usually the case if you downloaded the file via BitTorrent and it is still seeding, or if you have already opened it in another program. Close any programs that may be using the file and try again.
   • If you are still unable to delete the file, see wikiHow for more information.

Method 2 of 4: Mac

1. Open your Downloads folder. You can access the Downloads folder from the Dock, or from the sidebar in Finder. This is the default location most apps download files to. If you have changed the download location in the preferences of one of your apps, check that location as well.
   • You can also click on your desktop and then "Go to" → "Downloads".
2. Find the file you want to delete. Scroll through Downloads until you find the file you want to delete.
3. Narrow your search to disk images. Mac programs are downloaded as DMG files. These are disk images in which the program is stored. If you install a program, the DMG will stay in your Downloads folder and take up space.
   • In the search bar in the top right corner, type disk image and select "Disk Image" from the "Kinds" section. This restricts the view to DMG files, so you can quickly free up a lot of space.
4. If you cannot find the file, open your browser's download manager. If you recently downloaded the file, it may still be listed in your browser's download manager. With this you can directly open the file location of the file you want to delete.
   • Chrome - Press Command + J. Click "Remove from List" for the file you want to remove.
   • Firefox - Press Command + J to open the Downloads section in the Library. Click the folder button to open the folder where the download is located.
   • Safari - Click on the "Window" menu and select "Downloads". Click the Magnifier next to the file you want to delete.
5. Drag the file to the Trash. Alternatively, you can select the file and then press Delete, or right click on the file and select "Delete".
   • If the file cannot be deleted, it may be because it is being used by another program. This is common with file sharing programs because someone may be trying to download the file from your computer. Close programs that might use the file and try again.

Solving a problem

1. I want to delete all data from my downloads. OS X keeps a log of all your downloaded files. If you are concerned about the security of your system and prying eyes from unauthorized persons, you can delete this log file manually using the terminal.
   • Open the Terminal in Tools.
   • Type sqlite3 ~ / Library / Preferences / com.apple.LaunchServices.QuarantineEventsV * "delete from LSQuarantineEvent" and hit return.
2. I cannot delete the file. If OS X doesn't allow you to delete the file, it's probably because it's being used by another file. This is usually the case if you downloaded the file via BitTorrent and it is still seeding, or if you have already opened it in another program. Close any programs that may be using the file and try again.
   • If you are still unable to delete the file, see wikiHow for more information.

Method 3 of 4: Android

1. Download and install a file manager. There are several file managers available for free for Android. You can download this from the Google Play Store. By the way, your device may already have a file manager. Popular apps are:
   • ES File Explorer
   • Astro File Manager
   • X-Plore File Manager
2. Navigate to your Downloads folder. When you have opened the file manager, you will get a list of all directories on your mobile. Look for the one named "Downloads". You may have to go up a directory level to see it.
   • Note: Downloaded images can also be in the Photos folder and downloaded videos in the Videos folder.
3. Press and hold the file you want to delete. This procedure varies from file manager to file manager, but usually you can hold down the file and tap "Delete" in the menu that appears. Sometimes you can also select multiple files and then tap the Delete button.

Solving a problem

1. The file manager is not working. If you prefer to manage downloaded files with your computer, you can connect the Android device with a USB cable. It allows you to access the Android device in the same way as a USB drive for file management. If you are still unable to delete the file, see wikiHow for more information.
2. I cannot find the downloaded files. Almost all downloaded files should be in your Downloads folder, but some apps put them in other locations. With your device connected to your computer, you can search for files much more easily.

Method 4 of 4: iOS

1. Open the application that uses the file you want to delete. iOS devices do not give you access to a single Downloads location on your device. Instead, files are deleted through the apps that open them. That means, if you want to delete a PDF, you have to delete it with iBooks or Adobe Reader. If you want to delete music, you can do that with the Music app.
2. Swipe the item to display the Delete button. This procedure depends on the app you are using, but usually you can swipe the file to reveal the Delete button.
3. Press and hold an item to select multiple files. Once you have selected all the files you want to delete, tap the Delete button.
4. Use iTunes to delete music if your device cannot do this. It may be difficult to delete a downloaded song, especially if it is synced with iTunes. See wikiHow for more information on how to delete music.
5. Use your computer to delete multiple photos at the same time. If you have a lot of photos you want to get rid of, the fastest way is to connect your iOS device to your computer. Then use the operating system file manager to do this. Check out wikiHow for more information.

Solving a problem

1. I cannot find the file I want to delete. iOS devices have a completely different file system than most other devices, and this can make it extremely difficult to find and delete certain files. You need an app that can open the type of file you want to delete in order to access and delete the file.
   • The only way to get around this is to jailbreak your iOS device. This is not without risk and does not work on all devices, but once it is successful, you can install file managers that allow you to edit files in the same way as on an Android.