Where do cancelled downloads go?

[SamVilde]

This is more curiosity than issue or problem -- But I'm wondering where the bits and pieces of canceled downloads go. If I'm downloading something (say a podcast, or a PDF), and then decide against it partway through & hit cancel - what happens to the already-downloaded bits? I assume they aggregate somewhere and need occasional throwing out? No?

I guess another way to ask a related question is 'Are there routine computer cleaning steps a mac user should be doing - the way windows users defrag the hard drive?'

Maybe there's a better place to ask the question, but I don't know it.

Thanks.

 

[msevild]

Well assuming you haven't changed your settings and you are using Safari they should be in your downloads folder. Each program is different though. Aside from that, in regards to your other question, Mac's don't really need maintenance per se, but yes deleting unnecessary stuff you have downloaded is definitely recommended. Onyx is a good free "maintenance" toll you can try out.

 

[acurafan]

there is no 'temp' location somewhere in /users/<name> folder like in windows?? assume i use FF set to downloads location, even partial downloads will all be in downloads?

 

[SamVilde]

- ? I know where the things I download go, of course. But acurafan's understanding is right - I'm talking about things that maybe download half way, and then I cancel the download. That half-file is not in my downloads folder. If I'm downloading a podcast in itunes, a fully downloaded podcast goes into a neat and findable folder. But what about those that I've canceled during the process? Where do those pieces go?

Again, really only curiosity.

 

[techound1]

Again, really only curiosity.

I was hoping for a "if a tree falls in the forest..." discussion

 

[wrldwzrd89]

there is no 'temp' location somewhere in /users/<name> folder like in windows?? assume i use FF set to downloads location, even partial downloads will all be in downloads?

This is correct, for Safari. Other browsers may not be the same. And yes, the Mac OS uses one global temporary files folder - /tmp, which isn't in the user space at all.