Windows 10 Tip: Manage Downloads in Microsoft Edge

Windows 10 Tip: Manage Downloads in Microsoft Edge

Like other web browsers, Edge lets you download files from the web in a fairly straightforward way and then manage them right from the browser.

Note: This tip is derived from the Windows 10 Field Guide, which is now being updated for the Windows 10 Creators Update.

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When you do trigger a download, a notification will appear at the bottom of the Edge window.

These options have changed somewhat with the Creators Update. Available choices now include:

Run. The file is downloaded and is either opened (if it is a document or other data file) or executed when the download is complete. No copy of the downloaded file is left on your PC if you choose this option.

Save. If you select this option, the file will be saved to your default download location, which is the Downloads folder in your user profile by default. After the download is completed, the notification will change to display Run, Open Folder, and View Downloads options.

Save As. Available as a hidden option under Save, Save As lets you choose a non-standard download location, like your desktop, instead. After the download is completed, the notification will change to display Run, Open Folder, and View Downloads options.

Cancel. This options cancels the download.

While you can always open the Downloads folder in File Explorer, Edge also keeps track of all of your downloaded files. This is handy because some of those downloads may be located in other folders.

To view your downloads with Edge, open the Hub and then select the Downloads button. Your downloads appear in the pane in reverse chronological order (with the most recent download at the top).

From here, you can select a download to open that file, remove individual downloads from the list, or clear all downloads.

Note: Clearing this list does not remove the downloaded files from your PC.

 

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Conversation 6 comments

  • BoItmanLives

    09 April, 2017 - 10:34 am

    <p>Only thing I ever downloaded in Edge was Chrome. </p>

    • SvenJ

      09 April, 2017 - 11:32 am

      <blockquote><a href="#96781"><em>In reply to BoItmanLives:</em></a> Because that's the way we've always done it. ;)</blockquote><p><br></p>

    • rameshthanikodi

      09 April, 2017 - 12:02 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#96781">In reply to BoItmanLives:</a></em></blockquote><p>hahahahaha oh man what an original joke that was so hilarious A+</p>

    • johnbaxter

      09 April, 2017 - 1:19 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#96781"><em>In reply to BoItmanLives:</em></a></blockquote><p>Thanks for the reminder…I had overcome my advanced case of GooglePhobia long enough to install Chrome on the laptop I was using with the Windows Insider program. That was to check an assertion somewhere about Chrome vs Creators.</p><p>Now that I've taken the laptop out of Insiders I should have (but forgot to) remove Chrome. Done (using Advanced Uninstaller Pro, which *may* actually remove all the stuff Chrome scatters around the file system. Fortunately, if pieces are left that get in the way I can reset the machine…nothing major would be lost.</p>

  • bbold

    09 April, 2017 - 10:28 pm

    <p>I love Edge! Thanks for the tips ;)</p>

  • warpdesign

    10 April, 2017 - 9:40 am

    <p>That's really too bad Edge doesn't use any of Windows 10 methods to monitor download progress:</p><p> – an app may show a progress bar on the taskbar icons to show progress: Edge doesn't use it (Chrome does)</p><p> – an app can now show a progress bar in the action center: Edge doesn't use it either</p><p><br></p><p>Instead you have some alien popup that shows at the bottom of the Edge tab, *on top of your webpage's* so potentially hidding content. A new item also appears in the downloads panel, but progress won't move until you select "save" or "run" from the pop up, although the download will actually progress…</p><p><br></p><p>Chrome opens up some panel at the bottom of the Chrome's window which has two advatanges:</p><p> – it's outside of your tab so doesn't hide the content you may be reading</p><p> – it's global to the Chrome window, so you may continue browsing another tab and still see your download progress at a glance</p><p><br></p><p>It's this kind of details that make people prefer Chrome over Edge. I hope Redstone 3 will bring improvements in this area.</p><p><br></p><p>When non-Microsoft apps better take advantage of Windows you have to wonder why…</p>

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