How to Find Recent Downloads on Your PC
Locating recently downloaded files isn't a problem when you manually chose the download location. However, many programs automatically download files to a preset location, or you may have blindly clicked "Save" after choosing a file name. In these cases, locating the downloaded files will require a little more work.
Default Download Folder
Many programs, including Microsoft products and most browsers, use the default Downloads folder on your computer. This folder is accessible via Windows Explorer by clicking the top "Downloads" folder from the left pane. This folder corresponds to the folder location C:\Users\USERNAME\Downloads.
Program Settings
Most programs allow you to specify a default download location. You can access these settings through the program's Options, Preferences or Settings menu. Look for "Folders" or "Downloads" to find the assigned download location. Some programs open a separate Downloads window that gives you direct access to this option or provides a convenient link that opens the download folder.
Repeat the Download
If you blindly clicked through the "Save As" window without looking at the save location, attempting to download the file again will give you another look at it. You don't have to download the same file, but you should try to download the same file type, such as ZIP or PDF. Some programs automatically choose a different save location depending on the type of file your download, so choosing the same file type will ensure the correct location.
Searching With Windows Explorer
If all else fails, performing a computer-wide search on your computer will locate the download. Pressing "Win-F" will open a search window. By using the "Datemodified" function, you can limit the search to files modified on or after a specific date. Using the "Ext" function further limits results to files of a known extension. As an example, "datemodified:>=9/12/2012 ext:zip" locates ZIP files modified after Sept. 11, 2012. However, the initial search only searches indexed locations such as Windows libraries. To expand the search, scroll the bottom of the results and click “Computer.”
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