Do I empty my bursting download folder?

horatio · horatio #1 (**permalink**)

01-06-2011, 11:06 AM

Hello - I don't like the word 'newbie' but I guess I am one right now.
Please excuse the non-mac speak - used them for years but never had to speak about them - that's how good they are.

On my Finder window where there's a little house symbol with my name next to it. In this 'house' file is my 'download' folder where I guess everything I download goes

. Question is - there's loads of stuff in there - seems like everything I've ever downloaded - do I need to empty it all or will it cock up my system if I do?

Many thanks,

Horatio

MrMacMan56 · MrMacMan56 #2 (**permalink**)

01-06-2011, 11:31 AM

I should not see it doing any harm all it is doing is just showing your download history (I Think)
If it was to get to full I am sure your Mac should warn you!

Kevriano · Kevriano #3 (**permalink**)

01-06-2011, 12:59 PM

If you've put all the downloaded things where they should be, i.e: installed all the apps etc., then yes empty it, it won't affect anything.
You should empty it every time really.

CrimsonRequiem · CrimsonRequiem #4 (**permalink**)

01-06-2011, 01:04 PM

You can leave it if you want. It's just taking up space on your HDD.

My policy is if I don't need it anymore then I get rid of it. Either by backing it up to a CD, external HDD or the trash bin.

toMACsh · toMACsh #5 (**permalink**)

01-06-2011, 01:37 PM

Trash the things you will never need to download again. For example, you have version 3.4 of Application and version 3.5 in your downloads folder. Delete 3.4 - you'll never need it again. Keep 3.5 in case you have to reinstall, which will save you the trouble of finding it and downloading it again.

Images, files, etc. - it's your call.

horatio · horatio #6 (**permalink**)

01-06-2011, 03:04 PM

Thanks for your speedy responses guys! Time to spring clean and do some serious binning then.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #7 (**permalink**)

01-06-2011, 03:45 PM

As a suggestion, go through the list and if you need to keep anything, such as downloaded applications, drag to the desktop, pop in a DVD+RW disc and burn to that with any burning program. That way the DVD+RW can be updated with downloads you need to keep.

The rest simply select Delete.

horatio · horatio #8 (**permalink**)

01-07-2011, 12:33 PM

good point - many thanks harryb2448

horatio #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 06, 2011 Posts: 3	01-06-2011, 11:06 AM Hello - I don't like the word 'newbie' but I guess I am one right now. Please excuse the non-mac speak - used them for years but never had to speak about them - that's how good they are. On my Finder window where there's a little house symbol with my name next to it. In this 'house' file is my 'download' folder where I guess everything I download goes. Question is - there's loads of stuff in there - seems like everything I've ever downloaded - do I need to empty it all or will it cock up my system if I do? Many thanks, Horatio
	QUOTE Thanks

CrimsonRequiem #4 (permalink)
Inactive Staff Member Since: Jul 24, 2008 Posts: 5,956 Mac Specs: MBP 2.3 Ghz 4GB RAM 860 GB SSD, iMac 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7 32GB RAM, Fusion Drive 1TB	01-06-2011, 01:04 PM You can leave it if you want. It's just taking up space on your HDD. My policy is if I don't need it anymore then I get rid of it. Either by backing it up to a CD, external HDD or the trash bin. 死神はリンゴしか食べない。
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,055 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	01-06-2011, 03:45 PM As a suggestion, go through the list and if you need to keep anything, such as downloaded applications, drag to the desktop, pop in a DVD+RW disc and burn to that with any burning program. That way the DVD+RW can be updated with downloads you need to keep. The rest simply select Delete. *Hang on to those original install discs like grim death! Using OS X.7 or later make a bootable USB thumb drive before running Installer!*
	QUOTE Thanks

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MrMacMan56 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 18, 2010 Posts: 182 Mac Specs: iMac 21.5" 3.06 GHz 4GB 500GB HDD i3 Processor ATI Radeon HD 4670 with 256MB / iPhone 3GS 8GB	01-06-2011, 11:31 AM I should not see it doing any harm all it is doing is just showing your download history (I Think) If it was to get to full I am sure your Mac should warn you!
	QUOTE Thanks

toMACsh #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 30, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,799 Mac Specs: Mac Mini Core 2 Duo	01-06-2011, 01:37 PM Trash the things you will never need to download again. For example, you have version 3.4 of Application and version 3.5 in your downloads folder. Delete 3.4 - you'll never need it again. Keep 3.5 in case you have to reinstall, which will save you the trouble of finding it and downloading it again. Images, files, etc. - it's your call.
	QUOTE Thanks

horatio #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 06, 2011 Posts: 3	01-06-2011, 03:04 PM Thanks for your speedy responses guys! Time to spring clean and do some serious binning then.
	QUOTE Thanks

horatio #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 06, 2011 Posts: 3	01-07-2011, 12:33 PM good point - many thanks harryb2448
	QUOTE Thanks

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