Is there a way to keep the Downloads folder lean & mean "automatically

MeAndMyComputer · 10 Jul 2017

I just tuned up my friends Win10 laptop that was slower than slow. It runs fine now.
However in his Downloads folder it's loaded with entries as far back as Aug 2011 when the computer was originally on Win7.
I've showed that list to him (it takes up 3 printed pages) and recommended he places items in appropriate locations such as pictures, documents etc. and keep his Downloads folder as clean as possible. I don't recall the name of it but there's a 3rd party utility program that was in the list from Dec 2011 that never installed. I showed it to him and then deleted it myself but he has to decide what to do with all of the others.

Brink · 10 Jul 2017

Hello Larry, :)

Starting with Windows 10 build 15014, you can turn on "Automatically free up space" in Windows and configure to automatically Delete files in my Downloads folder that haven't changed for over 30 days.

Turn On or Off Automatically Free Up Space in Windows 10 Windows 10 Performance Maintenance Tutorials

Berton · 10 Jul 2017

In some programs such as Firefox one can specify where downloads are saved, I have mine set to go to D:\Downloads. One Add-in for saving videos [Ant.com] is set to save in D:\Downloads\Videos.

MeAndMyComputer · 10 Jul 2017

Brink said:

Hello Larry, :)

Starting with Windows 10 build 15014, you can turn on "Automatically free up space" in Windows and configure to automatically Delete files in my Downloads folder that haven't changed for over 30 days.

Turn On or Off Automatically Free Up Space in Windows 10 Windows 10 Performance Maintenance Tutorials

Thanks Brink

Brink · 10 Jul 2017

You're most welcome. :)

Mystere · 10 Jul 2017

MeAndMyComputer said:

I've showed that list to him (it takes up 3 printed pages) and recommended he places items in appropriate locations such as pictures, documents etc. and keep his Downloads folder as clean as possible.

While I'm a fan of decluttering, I don't really see how cleaning up the downloads folder will make his computer run any faster, or how a cluttered downloads folder will make it run slower. This folder is not used for operation of the computer. It may take a little longer to open the downloads folder, or longer to find what you're looking for.. but the OS itself isn't going to work better if you clean it out.

Some folders, too many files can lead to slower performance, such as too many Font files, or a registry that has too much junk in it. But not Downloads.

MeAndMyComputer · 27 Jul 2017

You are correct Mystere and I'd like to mention that I have an ulterior motive on the subject I posted.
I volunteer at our senior center and I impress upon those who I help to keep their computers well maintained and secure. The computers brought to me don't come close to meeting those approaches and there is so much junk involved I have coined the term lean and mean. I'm a senior myself and a simple computer user. BTW I appreciate your comments because if I didn't know what you brought up, I'm the type of guy who would use it as a learning tool.

When I mention the 3rd party utility program in that list, I know it hasn't downloaded and isn't being used. But I used that entry as an example that it doesn't belong on the computer and strongly recommended to that person that I'm usually not in favor of a 3rd party utility program and expect it to set it and forget process. So then that led to why not remove anything else that isn't useful: the idea is to avoid confusion on that persons part because if I tell them don't worry about the other entries, that contradicts the lean & mean concept.

slicendice · 28 Jul 2017

The absolutely first thing you should do is to make sure there are no files or folders on the Windows Desktop, as they slow down the computer a lot. Only leave application shortcuts. They are not that bad.

Second thing is to make sure the HardDisk has at least 30% or more free space.
One way to get rid of a lot of unneeded files is to run Disc Cleanup on C-partition.

Third thing would be to defragment, the HardDrive.

If this is a really OLD computer then it may be that the HDD is so old that it is starting to slow down, that is very normal. Upgrading from a HDD to an SSD is a way to get a huge speed boost, but that might be beyond the scope of this project of yours.

It is also a great idea to check what applications and services start during Boot. Disabling services for applications that are not needed may speed up the system a lot.

One final thing that can cause HUGE slowdowns on the system is the amount of Fonts installed in Windows. If there are multiple Office applications installed, they might all have additional fonts installed in the system. That is also a more tricky bit to clean up as it's difficult to know which fonts to get rid of and which ones to keep.

lx07 · 28 Jul 2017

Brink said:

Hello Larry, :)

Starting with Windows 10 build 15014, you can turn on "Automatically free up space" in Windows and configure to automatically Delete files in my Downloads folder that haven't changed for over 30 days.

Turn On or Off Automatically Free Up Space in Windows 10 Windows 10 Performance Maintenance Tutorials

According to the tutorial cleaning the downloads folder was added in build 16199 - it isn't in the current public Creators Update release 15063.

Perhaps in the fall update it will be.