How Do I Delete All Downloads On My Mac

  1. Deleting Downloads On Mac
  2. How Do I Delete All Downloads On My Mac Os
  3. How Do I Delete All Downloads On My Mac Laptop

When you download a file from the Internet, it is saved in your operating system's downloads folder. Additionally, there is a record of it in your Internet browser. When a file is in the downloads folder, it can take up unnecessary storage space. Also, as it shows the files you've downloaded, it could be a security or privacy risk. To clear your downloads folder or download history, click a link in the list below and follow the instructions.

Note: If you delete an item that you got from the iTunes Store, the App Store, or Apple Books using your Apple ID, the item is still in iCloud, and you can download it again. Documents: See all the documents on your Mac. Remove Office for Mac applications. Open Finder Applications. Command +click to select all of the Office for Mac applications. Ctrl+click an application you selected and click Move to Trash. Remove files from your user Library folder. In Finder, press +Shift+g. In the window that opens, enter /Library and then click Go.

Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10

To clear the files in the Downloads folder in Windows, follow the steps below.

  1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type Downloads, and press Enter.
  2. In the window that opens, highlight all the downloaded files using your mouse or press Ctrl+A. If you do not want to delete all files only select the downloaded file you want to delete.
  • My Mac Hello all, I downloaded town of Salem and didn't like the game. My computer has this file in it's storage that for the life of me I can't figure out how to get rid of.
  • Applications, Music, TV, Messages, and Books: These categories list files individually.
  • Harassment is any behavior intended to disturb or upset a person or group of people. Threats include any threat of suicide, violence, or harm to another.
  1. Press Delete to send the files to the Recycle Bin.
  2. To permanently delete the files, right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin in the drop-down menu that appears.
Tip

If there isn't a Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, you can restore it. For help with getting the Recycle Bin back, see: Missing Windows desktop Recycle Bin icon.

macOS and Safari

To clear the files in the Downloads folder on your Mac computer, follow the steps below.

Note

As it's built in to macOS, these steps are the same for those using the Safari browser.

  1. Select Finder from the Dock at the bottom of your desktop.
  1. In the window that opens, select Downloads from the list on the left side of the screen.
  1. Right-click each entry and select Move to Trash in the drop-down menu.
Tip

You may also clear download history entries by highlighting them and pressing Delete.

How Do I Delete All Downloads On My Mac

Google Chrome

To clear the files in the Downloads folder for Google Chrome, follow these steps.

  1. Open the Google Chrome browser.
  2. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome button in the upper-right corner of the screen.
  3. Select Downloads from the drop-down menu that appears.
  4. In the new window that opens, click next to each entry you want to remove.
  5. To clear all entries, click the More actions icon in the upper-right corner of the screen and select Clear all.
Tip

In Chrome, press Ctrl+J (Windows) or Command+Shift+J (macOS) to view a list of your downloaded files.

Tip

If you're using Microsoft Windows, you can also see our Windows steps for deleting downloads using Windows.

Mozilla Firefox

To clear the files in the Downloads folder for Firefox, follow these steps.

  1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser.
  2. Click the Library icon near the upper-right corner of the screen.
  3. Select Downloads in the menu that appears.
  1. At the bottom of the expanded menu, click Show All Downloads.
  1. You may delete each file individually using the Delete key. To remove them all at once, right-click in the downloads section and select Clear Downloads in the drop-down menu.
How Do I Delete All Downloads On My MacTip

In Firefox, press Ctrl+J (Windows) or Command+J (macOS) to view a list of your downloaded files.

Tip

If you're using Microsoft Windows, you can also see our Windows steps for deleting downloads using Windows.

Microsoft Edge

To clear the files in the Downloads folder for Microsoft Edge, follow these steps.

  1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
  2. Click the Settings and more icon in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
  3. In the drop-down menu, select Downloads.
  4. You can remove files individually by clicking the icon, or delete all files by clicking Clear all.
Tip

In Edge, press Ctrl+J to view a list of your downloads.

Tip

If you're using Microsoft Windows, you can also see our Windows steps for deleting downloads using Windows.

Microsoft Edge Legacy

To clear the files in the Downloads folder for Microsoft Edge Legacy, follow these steps.

  1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
  2. In the upper-right corner, select the Hub button.
  3. Click the icon that looks like a down arrow.
  4. You can delete each file individually by clicking next to the file entry, or click Clear all to delete all files.
TipMac

In Edge Legacy, press Ctrl+J to view a list of your downloads.

Tip

If you're using Microsoft Windows, you can also see our Windows steps for deleting downloads using Windows.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

To clear the files in the Downloads folder for Internet Explorer, follow these steps.

  1. Open the Internet Explorer browser.
  2. Click the Gearicon in the upper-right side of the window.
  3. Click View downloads in the drop-down menu that appears.
  4. You may delete each file individually by clicking the X next to the file entry, or click Clear list to delete all files.
Tip

In Internet Explorer, press Ctrl+J to open your Downloads folder.

TipHow Do I Delete All Downloads On My Mac

If you're using Microsoft Windows, you can also see our Windows steps for deleting downloads using Windows.

Opera

To clear the files in the Downloads folder for Opera, follow these steps.

  1. Open the Opera browser.
  2. Click in the upper-left corner of the window.
  3. In the drop-down menu that appears, select Downloads.
  4. In the tab that opens, you may delete each entry individually by clicking the icon on the right side and selecting Remove in the menu. To delete all files, click the button in the upper-right corner.
Tip

In Opera, press Ctrl+J (Windows) or Command+J (macOS) to view a list of your downloaded files.

Tip

If you're using Microsoft Windows, you can also see our Windows steps for deleting downloads using Windows.

Additional information

Moving to a new Mac? Before taking these steps, you can use Migration Assistant to move your files from the old Mac to your new Mac.

Create a backup

Make sure that you have a current backup of your important files. Learn how to back up your Mac.

Sign out of iTunes in macOS Mojave or earlier

If you're using macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes. From the menu bar at the top of the screen or iTunes window, choose Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer. Then enter your Apple ID and password and click Deauthorize.

Learn more about deauthorizing computers used with your iTunes account.

Sign out of iCloud

If you're using macOS Catalina or later, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Apple ID. Select Overview in the sidebar, then click Sign Out.

If you're using macOS Mojave or earlier, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, click iCloud, then click Sign Out.

You will be asked whether to keep a copy of your iCloud data on this Mac. You can click Keep a Copy, because you're erasing your Mac later. Your iCloud data remains in iCloud and on any other devices that are signed in to iCloud with your Apple ID.

Sign out of iMessage

If you're using OS X Mountain Lion or later, open the Messages app, then choose Messages > Preferences from the menu bar. Click iMessage, then click Sign Out.

Reset NVRAM

Deleting Downloads On Mac

Shut down your Mac, then turn it on and immediately press and hold these four keys together: Option, Command, P, and R. Release the keys after about 20 seconds. This clears user settings from memory and restores certain security features that might have been altered.

Learn more about resetting NVRAM or PRAM.

Optional: Unpair Bluetooth devices that you’re keeping

If your Mac is paired with a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, trackpad, or other Bluetooth device that you plan to keep, you can unpair it. This optional step prevents accidental input when the Mac and device have separate owners but remain in Bluetooth range of each other.

If you're unpairing Bluetooth input devices from a desktop computer such as an iMac, Mac mini, or Mac Pro, you must plug in a USB keyboard and mouse to complete the remaining steps in this article.

To unpair a Bluetooth device, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth. Move your pointer over the device that you want to unpair, then click the remove (x) button next to the device name.

Erase your hard drive and reinstall macOS

The best way to restore your Mac to factory settings is to erase your hard drive and reinstall macOS.

How Do I Delete All Downloads On My Mac Os

After macOS installation is complete, the Mac restarts to a setup assistant that asks you to choose a country or region. To leave the Mac in an out-of-box state, don't continue setup. Instead, press Command-Q to shut down the Mac. When the new owner turns on the Mac, the setup assistant guides them through the setup process.

How Do I Delete All Downloads On My Mac Laptop


No matter the model or condition, we can turn your device into something good for you and good for the planet: Learn how to trade in or recycle your Mac with Apple Trade In.