Why this rule
Installers are almost never needed twice; you can always download the latest version again. They're also some of the biggest files in Downloads, so clearing them frees real space without any risk to documents or photos.
Set it up in TidyFile
It takes about a minute:
- 1Add a new rule and choose the folder to watch: Downloads.
- 2Add the conditions: type is installer and modified more than 14 days ago.
- 3Set the action: send to the Recycle Bin.
- 4Save it. New files are handled as they arrive, and TidyFile previews what it would do to the files already there before moving any of them.
Variations
- Move installers you want to keep, such as drivers, into a separate folder like Downloads\Keep, which the rule doesn't watch.
- Use 30 days if you sometimes reinstall things a few weeks later.
More ready-made rules are in the rule library, and there's a full guide to deleting old downloads safely.
The TidyFile rule
Clear old installers from Downloads
- When a file
- in Downloads · type is installer · modified more than 14 days ago
- Then
- send to the Recycle Bin
Set it up once and TidyFile applies it in the background, to new files the moment they arrive. Preview what it'll do to the files already there, and undo anything from the activity log.
Questions
Which files count as installers?+
Windows setup files such as .exe and .msi. Mac installers (.dmg and .pkg) count too, if they end up on your PC.
Can I get an installer back?+
Yes. They go to the Recycle Bin, and the move can also be undone from TidyFile's activity log.