My downloads folder has too much! Can I erase everything?

[obli84]

Hello,

I hadn't realized that my downloads folder had eeeeeverything I have downloaded since I got my mac. I now have a lot there and wonder whether I can erase everything in there and not loose the files... Also, does that take up space?

Most of the time I drag the file I download (from dock) to an specific folder I want, so I assume it's safe there and the downloads folder just repeats it... true?

Thanks a lot!

j

 

[miles01110]

I hadn't realized that my downloads folder had eeeeeverything I have downloaded since I got my mac. I now have a lot there and wonder whether I can erase everything in there and not loose the files...

Uh, if you "erase" everything then by definition you lose the files...

Also, does that take up space?

Yes, all files digitally stored on a computer's hard disk take up space.

Most of the time I drag the file I download (from dock) to an specific folder I want, so I assume it's safe there and the downloads folder just repeats it... true?

No, you cannot assume that. Usually when you drag from one folder to another it removes the file from folder A and places it in folder B. Only one copy of the file is on your computer.

 

[lucifiel]

No, you cannot assume that. Usually when you drag from one folder to another it removes the file from folder A and places it in folder B. Only one copy of the file is on your computer.

Unless it is dragged onto a different volume, in which case "drag'n'drop" copies, rather than moves, the file. But we just don't know here do we?