Watch out: Disk Cleanup in Windows 10 1809 includes Downloads folder

Here is a change you must notice when you run Disk Cleanup in Windows 10 1809, it now comes included with Downloads folder by default. So if you open and run the Disk Cleanup tool often to delete temporary files for saving space, you should not be selecting ‘Downloads’ folder in a flow, by clicking OK, you’ll lose all the files you’ve downloaded so far to your computer and this can’t be undone. This is another reason not to save file downloads to Downloads folder on the root drive.

Disk Cleanup with Downloads folder in Windows 10 1809

Disk Cleanup in Windows 10 1809 includes Downloads folder for deletion

Luckily, the Downloads folder isn’t pre-checked in Disk Cleanup UI, you need to manually select it and you can see the same change in Storage Sense also. That’s good news, after all, Disk Cleanup is going to be deprecated soon and Storage Sense will be built-in Disk Cleanup alternative left to Windows 10 users when that happens.

Storage Sense with Downloads
Storage Sense with Downloads unchecked by default

Tip: To avoid accidental deletion of files from downloads folder when you run Disk Cleanup, we suggest you move the current files in that to a separate folder in your hard drive (not C/Operating System drive) and specify that path in browser/download manager Settings.

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Do you like the suggestion? What’s your take on this change?

Venkat Eswarlu

Venkat is an independent technology journalist and the founder of Techdows. He has been covering web browsers, Windows, and software news since 2009. His exclusive scoops on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge features have been cited by Forbes, TechCrunch, Wired, CNET, and other major publications.

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