Mac Tips & Lessons
-
macOS Classes5 Lessons
-
New in macOS Sequoia3 Lessons
-
Getting Started with the Mac13 Lessons
-
14+ Tips for Getting Started with a New Mac (and older Macs)
-
How to tell which macOS you are using
-
Getting Around your Mac
-
Working with Finder Windows
-
Accessing Folders and Navigating Folders
-
A Look a the Folder Hierarchy of the Mac
-
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
-
Notifications and the Notification Center
-
Searching with Spotlight Search
-
System Preferences Overview
-
Mac Quick Look Demystified: Preview Files with Ease!
-
Quickly access Mac system settings with Menu Bar or Dock
-
Learn Cut, Copy, and Paste on Mac
-
14+ Tips for Getting Started with a New Mac (and older Macs)
-
Menu Bar Lessons for the Mac4 Lessons
-
Dock Lessons for the Mac11 Lessons
-
Automatically Hide the Dock
-
Open Recent Documents from a Closed app with the Mac's Dock
-
Open an App's Recent Documents through the Dock on the Mac
-
Change the Position of the Dock
-
Working with Applications in the Dock
-
Documents and Folders in the Dock
-
Customizing the Dock
-
Add Printers to the Mac's Dock
-
3 Easy Tips for Organizing your Folders in the Mac's Dock
-
Unlock Hidden Settings for the Dock
-
How to Add Folders to the Mac Dock
-
Automatically Hide the Dock
-
Finder Lessons for the Mac24 Lessons
-
Opening an Enclosing Folder from a Finder Window
-
Adding a Folder to the Sidebar in a Finder Window
-
Cycle through your Open Finder Windows
-
Set What Folder A New Finder Windows Shows
-
Finder Window View Options
-
View Unopened Documents with Quick Look
-
Arranging Files and Folders
-
Actions and Tasks
-
Finder Windows as Tabs
-
Customizing the Sidebar
-
Customize the Finder Window Toolbar
-
Show the Path Bar in a Finder Window
-
Keep Folders on Top
-
Show the Status Bar in Finder Windows
-
Set what is searched in a Finder Window
-
Hide your Hard Drives from the Desktop
-
Add Documents to a Finder Window Toolbar
-
Resizing Finder Window Columns
-
Copy the location of a File or Folder as Pathname
-
Set what your Finder Windows Open To
-
Show the Mac's Clipboard in a Window
-
Create a PDF from Multiple Images with Quick Actions on the Mac
-
The ultimate guide to the Mac's Finder: 24+ tips included!
-
Need help Organizing Your Mac? Master Smart Folders Today!
-
Opening an Enclosing Folder from a Finder Window
-
Manage Applications on the Mac24 Lessons
-
Easily Open the Applications Folder
-
Apps and Significant Energy
-
Set which Applications Open at Login
-
Add the Applications Folder to the Dock
-
Close Windows when Quitting Apps
-
5 Ways to Find and Open your Applications on the Mac
-
Finding your Applications Folder
-
Switching between Open Applications
-
Hiding Open Applications
-
Launchpad and Applications
-
Opening Applications with Spotlight Search
-
Installing Applications
-
Removing or Uninstalling Applications
-
Applications in Full-screen Mode
-
Finding an App’s Preferences or Settings
-
Open Apps with the Launchpad Icon
-
Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Switch between Open Apps
-
Shrink Apps to Prevent the MacBook Pro Notch from Obscuring App Controls
-
Prevent In-App Rating & Review Notifications
-
How to Check App Version History on Your Mac
-
How to Use Multiple Desktops with Spaces
-
Switch between open apps with the Mac's App Switcher
-
Enhance your Mac experience by Installing iOS apps
-
Add a Signature to a Document
-
Easily Open the Applications Folder
-
Manage Files and Folders on the Mac30 Lessons
-
Selecting Documents and Folders
-
Working with Save Dialog Boxes
-
Deleting Files and Folders
-
Copying, Moving, and Grouping Files
-
Move Selected Files into a New Folder
-
Specifying Applications for Documents
-
4 Ways to Open a File on the Mac
-
3 Ways to Force Quit an App on the Mac
-
4 Ways to Edit Finder Window Sidebars on the Mac
-
Create A New Folder with Selected Files on the Mac
-
Using Spring-loaded Folders
-
Compressing Files and Folders
-
Convert and Compress Images with Quick Actions
-
Viewing Document Information
-
Renaming Files in Batches
-
Tagging Files and Folders
-
Set What App a Document Opens With
-
Open Windows Media or WMV Files
-
Tips for finding your Downloads Folder
-
See Folder Sizes in a Finder Window
-
Duplicate Documents with Stationery Pad on the Mac
-
Reverse the Print Order of your Document
-
Creating PDFs on a Mac: Two Easy Methods
-
Save Time and Effort: How to Select Multiple Files on Your Mac
-
How to Easily Zip and Unzip Files on Your Mac
-
Learn how to use Find and Replace on the Mac
-
Rename Multiple Files on the Mac
-
How to Manage Storage on Your Mac - Easy Tips & Tricks!
-
Ever Wondered How to Rename Mac Files? Top 7 Tips Here!
-
11 Easy Ways to Optimize Your Mac's Desktop Experience
-
Selecting Documents and Folders
-
General macOS Lessons21 Lessons|1 Quiz
-
Have your Mac Learn Spelling
-
Close Notifications with a Swipe
-
Working with the Today View
-
Using Siri
-
Using Mission Control
-
Add Virtual Desktops with Spaces on the Mac
-
Sharing Files with AirDrop
-
iCloud Options
-
Take a Screenshot of your Display
-
Add Emojis as Text
-
View All Open Windows as Thumbnails
-
Copy, and Paste and Match Style
-
Type Special Characters with the Keyboard Viewer
-
Set where Screenshots are Saved
-
Add a Timer to Screenshots
-
Hide all your open windows to show the Mac's Desktop
-
Turn on Do Not Disturb Temporarily
-
Using Split View
-
The Mac’s Magic Shortcut to Trashing Files and Photos Quickly
-
10 Little Known Tips for the Mac
-
Keyboard Navigation on the Mac
-
Have your Mac Learn Spelling
-
Preferences or Settings for the Mac34 Lessons
-
Organize and Hide System Preference Panes
-
General Preferences
-
Working with Printers and Scanners
-
Share Connected Printers with other Macs
-
A Quick look at Sound Preferences
-
A closer look at Internet Accounts
-
Creating User Accounts
-
Set an Animated Emoji for your Mac User Profile
-
Customize the Date and Time in the Mac's Menu Bar
-
Adding Parental Controls
-
Change the Cursor Size
-
Show the Date in the Menu bar
-
Change the Clock in the Menu Bar from Digital to Analog
-
Set the Scroll Bar to Always Show in a Window
-
Create a New user Account
-
Text Replacement
-
Quickly Look up Information with the Trackpad
-
Shortcuts for opening System Preference Panes
-
Rename your Mac
-
Searching your System Preferences
-
Set the Default Browser on the Mac
-
Reduce the Transparency in the Menu Bar and Dock
-
Open Preference Panes from the Dock
-
A closer look at Wi-fi Settings
-
Using Hot Corners
-
Select what macOS Updates you want to install
-
Create Keyboard Shortcuts for Menu Items
-
Use Keyboard Navigation to Move Focus
-
Enable Fast User Switching to Switch between User Accounts
-
Use Touch ID to Switch between Users on the Mac
-
How to Zoom into your Mac's Display for Easier Reading
-
How to Extend Your Mac Display to Your iPad
-
Disabling Showing the Notification Center from the Trackpad
-
Can Force Click Boost Your Productivity on your Mac? Find Out How!
-
Organize and Hide System Preference Panes
-
Troubleshooting Lessons for the Mac16 Lessons
-
Finding Help for your Mac
-
Backing Up with Time Machine
-
Restoring Files with Time Machine
-
Erase a Hard Drive
-
Force Quit an App on the Mac
-
Restart or Relaunch the Mac's Finder
-
Force Quit Apps from the Apple Menu
-
Putting it All Together
-
Automatically delete items in the Trash after 30 Days
-
Troubleshooting Bluetooth Connections
-
Manage Storage Space with macOS Monterey and Earlier
-
Reclaim Local Mac Storage Space by Removing iCloud Drive Downloads
-
Disable Unused Sharing Options on Your Mac If You’re Not Using Them
-
Forget Wi-Fi Networks that are Troublesome
-
View memory usage in Activity Monitor on Mac
-
Erase All Content and Settings on a Mac
-
Finding Help for your Mac
-
New in macOS Mojave12 Lessons
-
Dark Mode Appearance
-
Dynamic Desktop Pictures
-
View Recent Apps in the Dock
-
Gallery View for Files in Finder Windows
-
macOS Software Updates in System Preferences
-
Desktop Stacks for Files on the Desktop
-
Keep Desktop Folders on Top of Files
-
View File Metadata
-
Quick Actions and Markup Files
-
Continuity Camera from your iPhone or iPad
-
New Privacy Options
-
New Screenshot Options
-
Dark Mode Appearance
-
New in macOS Catalina19 Lessons
-
See which apps will no longer work with macOS Catalina
-
See which apps are 32-bit
-
Opening Recent Folders from the Dock
-
Reorganized System Preferences
-
New Window Management Options
-
New Screen Time Preferences
-
New Music App
-
New TV App
-
New Podcasts App
-
Manage your iOS Devices through the Finder
-
What's New in the Photos App
-
What's New in the Notes App
-
What's New in Safari
-
What's New in the Mail app
-
New FindMy App
-
New Catalyst Apps
-
New Security and Privacy Features
-
New Redesigned Reminders App
-
Use an iPad as a second Display with Sidecar
-
See which apps will no longer work with macOS Catalina
-
New in macOS Big Sur15 Lessons
-
What hasn't changed with macOS Big Sur
-
Notification Center
-
Allow Wallpaper Tinting in Windows
-
Filtering Mail Messages
-
New Control Center
-
A look at the Finder Window Toolbar
-
New with Desktop Pictures
-
Play Startup Sound
-
Drag and Drop Controls to the Menu Bar
-
Battery Usage Preferences
-
Change the Date & Time in the Menu Bar
-
Do Not Disturb location in macOS Big Sur
-
See what is Now Playing
-
It’s Time to Consider Upgrading to macOS 11 Big Sur
-
How to Reveal the Proxy Icon in Big Sur
-
What hasn't changed with macOS Big Sur
-
New & Updated in macOS Ventura12 Lessons
-
How to Manage your Open Windows with Stage Manager
-
New Setup Options and Filters in Focus on the Mac with macOS Ventura
-
View Forecasts and More in the New Weather App on the Mac
-
Add Multiple Stops to Routes in the Maps App with macOS Ventura
-
Create Templates for Reminders Lists with macOS Ventura
-
Maximizing Your Storage on macOS Ventura: A Guide to Managing Space
-
Discover the New Clock App on MacOS Ventura
-
How to Keep Scroll Bars Always Visible on Mac (macOS Ventura)
-
Manage App Store and Streaming Services Subscriptions through the Mac
-
Save time typing text and Emojis on your Mac with Text Replacement!
-
3 Ways to Remove the Background in a Photo
-
Stop Apps from Launching when your Mac Starts Up
-
How to Manage your Open Windows with Stage Manager
-
Favorite Features in macOS Sonoma9 Lessons
-
Make Your Favorite Websites Act Like Apps with macOS Sonoma
-
macOS Sonoma: Screensavers & Wallpapers
-
Click your Wallpaper to Show the Desktop
-
Add Widgets to your Mac's Desktop
-
My 3 Favorite New Features in Reminders with macOS Sonoma!
-
iCloud Passwords for Chrome: Seamless Access to Your Passwords
-
Make your next Zoom Presentation stand out with Presenter Overlays
-
Turn off Click Wallpaper to Show Desktop
-
Build your own Apple Passwords app in 5 minutes! A Step-by-Step Guide
-
Make Your Favorite Websites Act Like Apps with macOS Sonoma
-
New in macOS Monterey6 Lessons
Tips for finding your Downloads Folder
Learn how to find your Downloads folder and your most recent downloaded files on your Mac.
Have you ever downloaded a file from Safari and then you can’t find where it downloaded the file to? You can’t find the Downloads folder? In this video I show you a couple ways to find your Downloads folder,a s well as easily find your most recent downloads directly from the Dock.
Video Transcript (video also has closed captions):
In this video, I’m going to show you how you can easily find and access any files that you’ve downloaded through Safari on the Mac. Let’s go to my Mac.
Let’s first open up Safari. I go down to my Dock here, and I have Safari. Now, if I were to download a file, I use Elementor on my website, so I want to download this to my computer so I can install it. When I download this, I click on download; it downloads it to my computer. Pretty simple. But where does it download it to?
Well, by default, it’s going to download it to a Downloads folder, a folder called Downloads. I’m going to hide Safari again. And if we go up to Go in the menu bar, you’re going to see you have a folder called Downloads. This is where it is going to download it.
So let’s go ahead and download that file and see how this all works. I go back over to Safari here. And then I go over to download. So now it is downloading that file. I want to access that file. Well, one way is by going up to Go in the menu bar again, I need to go to the Finder here, and when I’m in the Finder, I have Go. And then we go over to Downloads. Select it. It opens up the folder, and we have my download there. But that’s pretty cumbersome. I have to go to the Finder. I have to go to the menu bar. I click on downloads, and it opens up that window. There must be an easier way to find that file.
Well, you can easily find that file by going back over to Safari. So when I’m in Safari here, you’re going to see you have a little icon here. This is my downloads. When I click on this. I’m able to see all of my downloads. I want to view this in the Downloads folder; all I do is go over to the right, I click on the magnifying glass, which shows me that file. So that’s an easy way to find your downloads once you’ve downloaded from Safari, right through Safari. But there may be cases where this icon here is no longer showing, or the file is no longer listed here. Maybe you came back to it a couple of days later, and it’s no longer there.
Well, my favorite way of accessing my Downloads folder is by accessing it through the Dock. If we go over to the right side of my Dock, I’m going to hide this again, hide Safari; if we go over to the right side of my Dock, you’re going to see I have Downloads.
If you do not have this, let’s remove this here, I click and drag, and you’re going to see remove. If you do not have it in the Dock like I do not have it in my Dock anymore, what you’ll need to do is add it to your Dock. How do you do that? You go back up under Go, and then you go over to Downloads. It opens up that folder, and then all we have to do is take Downloads here, take this little icon, and drag it down into the Dock. Now, if you’re using an older version of Mac OS, I’m using Big Sur; this will be located in the center of your Finder window. Either way, all you have to do is take this little icon here and drag it down to the Dock. So I click and drag, I bring it down to my Dock. And I’ve added it to my Dock.
So now it’s in my Dock, but there are two other things that I like to do with the Downloads folder in the Dock. What we can do is we can set it to show our most recent file downloaded. So how do we do that? All we do now is go back over to this folder here, I hold down my control key, and when I click on it, I’m going to have a few Settings.
The first one is we want to make sure that it is sorted by Date Added. I select this, and now it is going to sort my files by the date added.
We have one other thing that we need to do. We go back down to my Downloads here. I hold down my control key on the keyboard – click, and what I like to do is make sure to set up as a Fan. I do not want to see all of my files; I want to access my most recent files. So now I select Fan here.
And now, when I click on this, watch what happens; it’s going to show a fan. And the most recent document that I’ve downloaded is going to be at the bottom here. So if I were to download another file, that file would be where this Elementor is. Elementor, that file would move up to the next level here. So as I add files, these are just going to move up.
If I want to see all of my downloads, then what I do is go up to the top. You’re going to see Open in Finder with a little arrow, I click on it, and now it opens up my Downloads folder. So that’s what I like to do. I want to add the Downloads folder or make sure that the Downloads folder is in my Dock. I believe it’s there by default, but then you also want to make sure that it sorts by date added, so it places all of your most recent downloads at the bottom here. And I like to have it in a fan view.
So that’s how you can easily access any files that you’ve downloaded from Safari on your Mac. When you download a file through Safari, what it does is download it into a folder called Downloads, and all of your downloads will be located there. This Downloads folder is just located on your Mac. You can access it by going to Go in the menu bar when you’re in the Finder. You can also access it by going to Safari. You’re going to find an icon in the toolbar where you can find all of your downloaded files—my favorite ways to make sure that the Downloads folder is in your Dock. Also, I like to sort it by date added and have it set as a fan. Then when you click on that folder in the Dock, your most recent downloaded file will show right above your Dock.
So that’s how we can easily find any files that we’ve downloaded on the Mac.