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How To Find Recently Downloaded Files In Windows 10

Last Updated on August 12, 2025 by admin Leave a Comment

With the default installation settings, all web browsers download files to the Downloads folder on a Windows 10 computer unless you have manually changed the default download location.

When you have hundreds of files in the Downloads folder and cannot remember the name of the file, finding the most recently downloaded file can be challenging, especially if the files are not sorted and grouped correctly.

This guide shows you how to find recently downloaded files in Windows 10.

View recently downloaded files in Windows 10

Step 1: Open File Explorer. That is, open any folder or This PC.

Step 2: On the left pane of the File Explorer/folder, click the Downloads entry to open the Downloads folder.

find recently downloaded files in Windows 10 pic7

NOTE: If the Downloads entry is missing from the navigation pane (left pane), type Downloads in the File Explorer address bar or taskbar search and then press the Enter key to open the Downloads folder.

Step 3: Once the Downloads folder is open, you might or might not see the most recently downloaded files at the top. If not, click the List view icon located at the bottom right corner of the window to select the List view.

find recently downloaded files in Windows 10 pic6

Step 4: Next, right-click on an empty spot, click Sort by, and then click Date modified. Once again, right-click on an empty spot, click Sort by, and then click the Descending option.

find recently downloaded files in Windows 10 pic2.jpg

find recently downloaded files in Windows 10 pic5

Step 5: Finally, right-click on an empty spot, click Group by, and then click Date modified. Lastly, right-click, click Group by, and then select the Descending option. That’s it!

find recently downloaded files in Windows 10 pic4

find recently downloaded files in Windows 10 pic8

The Downloads folder should now display the most recently downloaded file at the top of the list, as shown in the picture below.

find recently downloaded files in Windows 10 pic1

Tip: The Date modified column (in the List view) shows the exact date and time when the file is downloaded onto your PC.

Method 2 of 2

Find the recently downloaded file in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers on a Windows 10 PC

This method is handy if you have changed the default download location but do not remember the new download location. This method works in most modern web browsers, including Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Firefox.

Step 1: Open the web browser that you used to download the file. If you do not remember the browser that you used, please try this method on all web browsers installed on your PC.

Step 2: Simultaneously press Ctrl and J keys (Ctrl + J ) to see the Downloads list with the most recent download at the top of the list. You may click on an entry to open it, or select a downloaded file’s entry and then click the folder icon to open the location of the downloaded file.

Our how to view recently saved files in Windows 10 guide might also interest you.

Filed Under: Windows 10 Tagged: Tips

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