Modern web browsers have a plethora of functionality and technology packed into a relatively small file size. Not only do they make it possible to access your favorite websites, but they also let you view pictures, watch videos, listen to music, and download various files.

But did you know that your downloaded files are often saved in a specific "Downloads" folder? While this makes it easy for you to find and access files you've downloaded in the past, it can also alert intruders to your download history. As such, it's recommend that you clear or delete your downloaded files after installing or using them. If you need to save them for use at a later date, it's best to copy them into a new folder for safekeeping.

Microsoft Edge
The official replacement for the antiquated Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge offers a much sleeker design and an overall faster internet experience. Because of the highly intuitive user interface, finding and clearing your downloaded files is a simple task.

1. Start by opening the Microsoft Edge browser and pressing CTRL+J. Alternatively, you can click the ellipses (…) menu in the upper right of the browser.
2. Next, click on "Downloads" to open a new pop-up menu. This menu shows active downloads and recent downloads.
3. To remove an individual file from this list, hover over the entry with your mouse and click the trash can icon from the contextual menu. If you want to clear your entire download history, click the ellipses (…) menu and choose the option to clear all download history.

Remember, this doesn't actually remove the files from your computer. To do this, you'll need to locate them within your download folder and delete them from your system and the Recycle Bin.

Safari
The default choice for Mac systems, Safari is a well-known web browser with little in the way of fancy gimmicks. Instead, it's a low-overhead browser that offers a simple - yet powerful - browsing experience.

1. Start by opening Safari and clicking on the "Show Downloads" button near the upper right of the browser. Note that the button doesn't appear if your download list is empty.
2. From here, you'll be able to pause or resume active downloads, locate previously downloaded files on your Mac, or clear your download list.
3. To delete an individual file from your download list, simply Control-click it and choose "Remove From List." If you want to clear the entire list, click the "Clear" button in the download list itself.
4. Unlike Microsoft Edge, which never clears the download list, Safari automatically removes files from this list after one day. This can be modified, or turned off entirely, within Safari's settings.

Maintaining Your Download History
Generally speaking, it's a good idea to clear your download list and remove outdated or unnecessary downloads from your hard drive on a regular basis. Not only will it help your entire system run smoother, but it will make it much more difficult for potential hackers or identity thieves to track your web browsing history.