Regular format of downloads folder

ethanchal · 04 Jun 2014

Hi all,

I've got a little problem, my downloads folder ("C:\Users\Ethans PC\Downloads") randomly clears itself with files/folders in it. This problem occurs when the PC is on and also when it's off (cleared during shut down and boot). I'm not sure if the data is hidden or it's got to a "format" state but haven't noticed a difference in hard disk space via "computer". I've lost nearly 100gb and would like to stop the problem. It occurs now and then maybe monthly or even weekly. It only started to happen from Jan 2014 onward.

I'm assuming it's not my anti-virus software as it's usually pretty good or the hard disk as I've done a dskchk which provided no errors. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Ethan

andrew129260 · 04 Jun 2014

Intresting,

Although you should not be storing stuff long term in there anyway.

What web browser do you use?

You may have programs running at startup that is causing this issue. Please see this tutorial to temporary disable them and see if the issue is resolved:

Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup

Slartybart · 04 Jun 2014

Also, do you have any 3rd party maintenance applications that schedule a cleanup?

See what's in task scheduler, look at the actions tab.

carwiz · 04 Jun 2014

You shouldn't be using that folder. It's a temporary storage location for browser scripts and software. If you're talking about files/programs that YOU download, you should create a separate folder for that. I call mine "Download Tank" with various subfolders for application, use, etc. Everything I download off the web goes there first.

ethanchal · 05 Jun 2014

andrew129260 said:

Intresting,

Although you should not be storing stuff long term in there anyway.

What web browser do you use?

You may have programs running at startup that is causing this issue. Please see this tutorial to temporary disable them and see if the issue is resolved:

Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup

Okay thanks for the advice.. going to setup a folder somewhere else

I use Google Chrome and never had any problems with it before on this PC and on my other PC's.

I've looked through the start-up tab in msconfig and there doesn't seem to be any programs that would affect this kind of issue, but in case I have disabled Google chrome on start up and I will wait to see if the problem reoccurs.

ethanchal · 05 Jun 2014

Slartybart said:

Also, do you have any 3rd party maintenance applications that schedule a cleanup?

See what's in task scheduler, look at the actions tab.

Nope, no cleaning programs..however I have used them in the past e.g CCleaner + Tune Up Utilities.

Looked in the task scheduler and there is no tasks taking place in the actions tab.

Thanks though.

ethanchal · 05 Jun 2014

carwiz said:

You shouldn't be using that folder. It's a temporary storage location for browser scripts and software. If you're talking about files/programs that YOU download, you should create a separate folder for that. I call mine "Download Tank" with various subfolders for application, use, etc. Everything I download off the web goes there first.

Ok, but i've never had any issues with this before and kept lots of data there for a few years now. Thanks for the advice though I will now store this kind of data somewhere else.

ethanchal · 05 Jun 2014

andrew129260 said:

Intresting,

Although you should not be storing stuff long term in there anyway.

What web browser do you use?

You may have programs running at startup that is causing this issue. Please see this tutorial to temporary disable them and see if the issue is resolved:

Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup

Ok thank you.

I use Google chrome and have done for many years and never had this issue.

I looked through the start-up tab and there isn't any program of concern which could cause this kind of issue however I shall un-tick Google chrome in case it is the cause and shall wait to see what happens.

carwiz · 05 Jun 2014

There's several places where those files could be cleared. Windows Disk Cleanup as well as by browser options and other utilities. Perhaps you've just been lucky in the past or Chrome is a new version and it works now. :) Or the files could have been in use. Whatever you do, don't include Windows' temp or work folders in your indexing. (If you use it.) If you have, it may be a good idea to remove them and rebuild the index. The rebuild option is on the index option window.

Slartybart · 05 Jun 2014

Point of view: Downloads is more of a "one place" folder than a temp folder. It gives users one place to download anything and one place to look for downloads.

Downloads is not part of any native Windows cleanup that I know of, that's why I asked about 3rd party utilities.

Can objects be kept in Downloads? Sure, why not.

It is up to each individual to manage the Downloads folder. Most techies use it temporarily - download something; install and delete it, read and file or delete it, use it and move or delete it. But I really wouldn't classify it as temp storage in the same way \temp is classified.

Using another folder is a good suggestion, but managing your downloads (docs in documents, pics in pictures, music in music, vids in video, software install and delete.... etc) is, IMO, better.

My point? Files missing from the Downloads folder is not normal. Something cleaned them, not Windows.