As you download, use, change, save and delete files, the information is stored at different places on the hard drive. This fragmentation can cause your computer to run less efficiently. Large amounts of downloading and file deletion contributes to fragmentation.
Since you can use the Disc Defragmenter tool to clean up your hard drive and and rearrange the files so the computer runs smoothly again, downloading and deleting isn't a concern.
Basic computer maintenance with this program takes care of any potential problems; you can also set the tool to run when you aren't at the computer. When a download is initiated, a temporary file is created on your hard drive and removed when the computer is shut down later. If your computer has ever been incorrectly powered down, the temporary file may still be taking up a small amount of space on your hard drive.
If you're concerned about the downloads you're deleting, run Disk Cleanup in your system tools to take care of any lingering temporary files that are clogging up your hard drive. Melly Parker has been writing since , focusing on health, business, technology and home improvement. She has also worked as a teacher and a bioassay laboratory technician.
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. But there is no benefit to deleting the Downloads directory, itself. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top.
Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. Is it safe to delete files in download folder Ask Question. Asked 3 years, 8 months ago. Active 3 years, 8 months ago. Viewed 46k times. Improve this question. Have you tried deleting them to see what happens? If the files are stored elsewhere it shouldn't be a problem When you have physical media, like an installation DVD, you can keep it somewhere and grab it when needed.
If you routinely delete set-up files before saving them somewhere else, when it comes time to set up that program again, you might be out of luck. The most common scenario for needing that download again is getting a new machine. The second most common scenario? The instructions for a complete reinstall are pretty simple: reinstall Windows and then reinstall all your applications.
It varies, of course, depending on how you organize your life. That could be a different machine, an external hard drive, your backup drive, cloud storage, or some other storage location dedicated to the task.
When I download software to my machine I currently 1 :. I can also save space in OneDrive by making the folder, or just the file, cloud-only. In my case, since I have several computers, this practice allows me to avoid downloading the same thing multiple times.
Subscribe to Confident Computing! Less frustration and more confidence, solutions, answers, and tips in your inbox every week. Download right-click, Save-As Duration: — 8. It might be different yet again by the time you read this. I have some OLD downloads that are 10 to 15 years old, some of those are bough softwares, from now out of business vendors, that I still use regularly.
Doing it twice, or more, a year is only for peoples that are doing researches, testing and other things that may corrupt the OS or worst or that demand a clean slate state. He just said that he, given his very special use of his computer, regularly did clean reinstalls. Not twice a year, no, but periodically is indeed a good idea. You have great articles, and I read them often.
Could you please make them less wordy. I have to read and read to get the answer. Could you just say mostly yes or no and then briefly delineate. Unfortunately answers are rarely just yes or no, and require explanation so that individuals can take the actions most appropriate to their situation. I get that some one may like a short and sweet answer; but the reality is, I am sure there are many of us who appreciate the explanations.
It helps fill in the blanks for what is or may be happening. Now, What about windows set up files. Are there parts of windows that can be archived the same way? Are there other setup files on a machine that might be archived as well. Keeping a machine organized seems really overwhelming sometimes. I remember my first computer loading dos up and then loading the program you would use, one at a time… No windows to switch programs with, at least not until Atari came out with a better unit and hard drives….
I guess what the original poster is asking for is a tl;tr geek speak for Too Long To Read — a short summary. Leo, Thanks for answering this question, particularly because I was who asked it. In fact, Leo, on the fifth birthday of my workhorse Studio, I owe you the biggest thanks of all that my favorite electronic child is still thriving.
I am a walking, talking recent example of why those install files are so precious. Among my reinstalls were Quicken 99 and Acrobat Pro 8. Both products are deprecated and no longer supported.
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