Confused about what to do after downloading a file.

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Hi guys,
This is probably so obvious that even the newest switcher knows it but I can't find any info about it anywhere. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.
Anyway, here goes. I get lots of files sent to me of documents, images etc from family, friends and workmates. They come to me as attachments to e-mails and, being safety conscious, I always run ClamXav over the file in Finder but, before that, a small screen shows up with the file title and a progress bar as the file is downloaded. The whole top line of this little screen is highlighted. When the download is complete I do a Right Click on the finished download and then click on "Show in Finder"
This is where I need to be sure that you understand which little screen I'm banging on about. It's the screen with the progress bar and NOT the Finder screen.
OK, once the file is viewable in Finder, is it safe to delete it from the screen with the progress bar?
Cheers,
Steve
 
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Are you downloading those in a browser and the "screen" or rather window you are talking about is the "Downloads" window? In that case you'd be able to clear that list at any time and it won't affect the files. It's just a list of everything downloaded and does't represent your actual files. Those are usually safely in your downloads folder.

Hope that helps!
 
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I take it that you're not using Apple's Mail? For attachments in my emails, I have two buttons; one to view the attachment in Quicklook, and one to Save the attachment to Mail's Download folder. I don't get any progress bars.
 
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Hi,

If as dekan said you are referring to the downloads window re my screen shot,

then the file will be saved and in my case always the downloads folder.
 

vansmith

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If you are referencing the download window pictured above (which it sounds like you are), you are free to clear that window when a download is done. Clearing it has no bearing whatsoever on the files themselves.
 
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oldscribe .... That image that you posted is like the one I mean except that ,ine has about 150 lines of files on it.
All the downloaded files are in Finder and also on CDs so I'll try deleting then from the window that looks like the one the oldscribe posted and see what happens, if anything, to the actual files themselves.
Thanks guys
 
C

chas_m

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There's a preference in Safari that will clear the download window automatically once the download has successfully completed.
 
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Hi chas_m and 5tevie,

Should have mentioned that in my previous post. Pic is better than words sometimes,

shows my settings.
 

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