When to keep a download

Due to the low cost of external storage devices, we recommend making backup copies of important downloaded files. Doing so lets you safely delete them from your computer’s main storage, because they are easily accessed from another storage device.

When to discard a download

If the downloaded file is not something you need to use or reference in the future, or it can be easily downloaded later, you can delete the file. However, make sure the file is not important before it’s deleted, because trying to find an old file can be difficult and sometimes costly to retrieve in the future.

If you need an excellent place to keep small to medium sized downloaded files, consider copying them to a USB flash drive.

Some drivers should be backed up in case the company removes them from their website or the company goes out of business. However, for drivers that are updated frequently (e.g., video drivers) we usually don’t recommend downloading these files because many times the drivers can be updated several times a year.

  • Why does my download stop before it is finished?
  • Where are the files I downloaded using my web browser?
  • Computer-related downloads.
  • See the download definition for further information and related links.
  • Internet help and support.