How to Find Downloads on Windows 10

To find your downloads on Windows 10, open File Explorer (Windows logo key + E) and select Downloads on the left. Most browsers and apps save files there by default. In Microsoft Edge, press Ctrl + J to see a list of recent downloads with links to open them.

Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 26, 2026.

The Downloads folder is at C:\Users\YourName\Downloads.

Open the Downloads folder

1. Press Windows logo key + E to open File Explorer.
2. Select Downloads under Quick access or This PC.
3. Newest files are at the top when you sort by Date modified.

If you can’t find a file, type part of its name in the search box at the top right of File Explorer. See how to search for files in Windows 10.

Find downloads from your browser

• Microsoft Edge: press Ctrl + J, or select Settings and more (…) > Downloads. Select Show in folder under a file to open its location.
• Other browsers: most also use Ctrl + J or have a Downloads item in their menu.

Change where downloads are saved

In Microsoft Edge:

1. Select Settings and more (…) > Settings > Downloads.
2. Next to Location, select Change and choose a folder.
3. To choose a folder each time, turn on Ask me what to do with each download.

To move the whole Downloads folder to another drive, right-click Downloads in File Explorer, select Properties > Location > Move.

Delete old downloads

1. Open the Downloads folder.
2. Select the files you don’t need. Press Ctrl + A to select everything.
3. Press Delete. The files go to the Recycle Bin until you empty it.

To clear old downloads automatically, turn on Storage Sense in Settings > System > Storage and choose how often to delete files in Downloads.

Find the newest download fast

In the Downloads folder, select the View tab and choose Details, then select the Date modified column header so the newest files are at the top. If you know part of the name, type it in the search box at the top right of File Explorer. Searching from This PC instead of Downloads looks in every folder.

If you can’t find a download

• It didn’t finish. Files ending in .crdownload (Chrome) or .partial (Edge and Firefox) are incomplete. Delete them and download again.
• It was blocked. Open the browser’s download list with Ctrl + J. A blocked file shows a warning instead of a file name. If Microsoft Defender removed it, look in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Protection history.
• It opened instead of saving. Some browsers open PDFs and Office files straight away from a temporary folder. Use Save as in the app that opened it to keep a copy.
• It was saved somewhere else. Check the Location setting in your browser’s download settings, and the folder you picked if the browser asks each time.
• Windows cleared it. Storage Sense can delete files in Downloads that you haven’t opened for a while. Check Settings > System > Storage > Configure Storage Sense or run it now, and set Downloads to Never. Deleted downloads may still be in the Recycle Bin.

Frequently asked questions

Why can’t I see a file I just downloaded?

It may still be downloading, or it was saved somewhere else. Check the browser’s download list with Ctrl + J and select Show in folder.

Is it safe to open downloaded files?

Open files only from sources you trust. See how to scan for and remove malware in Windows 10.

How do I open a .zip file I downloaded?

See how to zip and unzip files in Windows 10.

For all the ways to open File Explorer, see how to open File Explorer in Windows 10.

To make sure a download wasn’t changed or damaged, see how to check a SHA256 checksum in Windows 10.

To clear out old downloads on Windows 11, see how to delete downloads in Windows 11.

Using Windows 11? See how to change the download location in Windows 11.

Microsoft’s guide is Find where your browser is saving downloads. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.