There’s not much to the cancel download trick, here’s all you need to do: Hold down the Option key from the “Purchases” menu in the Mac App Store, this causes the “ Pause ” button to turn into “Cancel”. How to Delete Downloads on Mac By Asya Karapetyan / December 11, 2019 October 29, 2020 / Leave a Comment Usually, more than a half of files on your Mac were downloaded from the Internet, i.e. From web browsers, messengers, torrents, mail. There are several ways to delete downloads on Mac. You can remove Downloads files manually or clean up them with one click using the ClearDisk app. By default most Mac apps save files in the Downloads folder that can be easily found by the following location: Macintosh HD Users Current User Downloads. So for today’s article, let’s go over how to change the default download folder on the Mac! Luckily, the process of changing the default download directory pretty similar in the three main Mac browsers. Change the Default Download Location in Safari. Open the Safari app and click on the Safari drop-down menu at the top left.
'Uninstaller' enables you to delete download apps from your Mac. Delete downloads on Mac. When the scanning done, you can click 'Review' button to review the scan results. Checkmark the items that you want to delete, and click 'Clean' button to start to delete downloads from your Mac.
It can be very frustrating when downloads from the web automatically open on your Mac. Part of the reason is that some web files are not safe and may be infected with malware. Also, when downloads are in the form of pictures, video, or other types of media, they can cause disruptions when they open.
In this article, we will not only show you how to disable your Mac from automatically opening downloads from the web, but also provide tips on how to protect your computer and data in general.
How to Disable Your Mac from Automatically Opening Downloads from the Web
To stop your Mac from opening downloads automatically, you will have to adjust your browser settings. The native browser of Macs, Safari, has a default feature that automatically opens all downloaded files that are considered safe. You have to disable this.
Cancel Macos Download
The following is a list of files that the Safari browser considers safe:
- Pictures
- Movies
- Sounds
- PDF files
- Text documents
- Disc images, such as DMG files
- Some other archive types
Disable Safari’s ‘Open Safe Files’ Setting on MacOS
To disable the Open Safe Files settings on your Safari, you need to go to Preferences. Better yet, follow the instructions below:
- Launch the Safari browser and click on the Safari menu at the top of the screen.
- Click on Preferences and go the General tab.
- Untick the Open “safe” files after downloading checkbox.
This will prevent files from being automatically opened once they are downloaded to your computer.
Stopping Downloaded Files from Automatically Opening on Google Chrome
Stopping downloaded files from automatically opening on Google Chrome is a little more complicated because it has no “Open ‘Safe’ files after downloading” feature as is the case with Safari. Some versions of Chrome have a setting that asks Always open files of this type instead. The latest version of Chrome lacks this feature entirely.
To access this feature in the older versions of the browser, take the following steps
- Navigate to the Downloads page by clicking on the three-dot menu on the right side of the browser.
- On the list of downloads, right-click on file types, such as images, videos, audio, etc.
- On the list of options, click on Always open files of this type. Choose the file types that you don’t want to automatically open after being downloaded.
Again, Chrome seems to have done away with this feature, and if it really bothers you that files are opening automatically when you download them using Chrome, the solution might be just to quit the browser.
Stopping Download Files from Automatically Opening on Mozilla Firefox
Whenever you download a file on Firefox, the Internet Media type or MIME determines what action the browser will take. Some downloads are handled automatically by apps installed on your Mac. In other cases, a dialogue box will ask whether you want to save the file or open it with a specific application.
How you deal with the files will tell Firefox what to do next time. Checking the “Do this automatically for files like this from now on” option will guide the browser’s actions the next time around for a file of the same type. Thus, if you want to disable downloads from automatically opening on Firefox, you will have to tweak this setting to reflect your preferences.
Here is how to change the actions of Firefox for different content types:
- Click on the browser’s menu button and navigate to Options.
- Navigate to the General panel and choose Applications.
- Select the entry for the file type whose actions upon download you want to change. Note that some file types include more than one Internet Media type, images, for instance, can be gif, jpg or png.
- On the Actions column, you will see a drop-down menu that will give you options to take whenever you download or click on the type of file.
The following is a detailed description of the Action options:
- Preview in Firefox – This will give you the option of opening the file on Firefox.
- Always Ask – This option will let you select the action that Firefox should take whenever you click a specific file type.
- Save file – This option will let you save the file on your computer.
- Use – This option will let you open the file with an application of your choosing.
How to Reset Download Actions for All Content Types on Firefox
If you are experiencing problems with how Firefox is handling download files on your Mac, you can revert the file handling settings to default. This can be done by deleting the file that handles these settings. The following are the steps to take:
- Open your profile folder by clicking the menu button > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
- Under the Applications Basics section, choose Open Folder.
- Close Firefox by choosing Exit on the menu.
- Delete (or rename) the handlers.json file.
- Restart Firefox.
This will reset the download actions for all content on the browser. Check if the problem has been resolved.
Tips on How to Protect Your Computer and Data
Stopping downloads from automatically opening is just one way to protect your computer and data. The following guide will help you become more aware of the threats that exist in the cyberspace and how to protect yourself.
- Download apps, files, and plugins only from trusted sources. Your browser will sometimes warn you about a suspicious file. Make sure you pay attention to the warning.
- Refrain from downloading plugins to view pictures, music, videos, and other online content, unless you are sure of their legitimacy. Most browsers and even MacOS have free applications and features that allow you to view and listen to these file types. You can use them instead.
- Refrain from downloading files and apps that are offered for free through email. They may contain malware.
- Configure your file sharing applications properly for the following reasons:
- A file sharing application such as Team Viewer can give a malicious actor full access to your computer.
- File sharing applications can be used as launchpads for malware and viruses
- Refrain from clicking ads on social media or email that redirect to sites where you have to download software of any kind.
- Avoid downloading unsolicited attachments.
- If you have to use portable media on your computer, scan it with the help of antivirus software.
- Always have your antivirus software on and up-to-date. This will help prevent infections from malware.
Cancel Download Launchpad Mac
Free Download Mac Software
Lastly but most importantly, clean your computer often with a reliable Mac repair tool, such as Tweakbit MacRepair. This will remove any performance limiting issues like registry entry errors, and junk files.
If you’re running into errors and your system is suspiciously slow, your computer needs some maintenance work. Download Outbyte PC Repair for Windows, Outbyte Antivirus for Windows, or Outbyte MacRepair for macOS to resolve common computer performance issues. Fix computer troubles by downloading the compatible tool for your device.
See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy Policy.
See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy Policy.
You are downloading a software update or an app on your Mac. Suddenly, you change your mind and no longer want to download it. How would you cancel downloads of Mac App Store apps or updates?
Though it’s quite simple to cancel Mac App Store downloads, the little process might not be known to many folks. Why? It’s because the “Cancel” button unlike “Pause” is slightly under the wraps. Let me show you how it’s done!
How to Cancel Mac App Store Downloads or Updates
Step #1. Assuming you are downloading the software update or any app on your Mac. Launch App Store on your computer.
Step #2. If you are downloading any updates, click on the Updates tab.
Step #3. Now, you need to press and hold the Option (⌥) key. It will change the pause option into Cancel. Click on Cancel while still holding the Option (⌥) key.
Cancel Downloads Microsoft Store
Likewise, if you are downloading any app, click on Purchase tab. Press and hold the Option key and then click on Cancel.
Step #4. A popup will appear on the screen asking you to confirm. Click on Cancel Download.
Note: When it shows installing, you won’t be able to cancel the app download. So make sure to avert the process when it’s in the initial stage.
That’s it!
Wrap Up
Told you it’s a lot easy but slightly tricky? Now, use these same process to avert Mac App Store downloads.
There is another way you can cancel downloads on your Mac. Simply disconnect your computer from internet → a popup menu will appear on the screen saying “(x) failed to download.” → click on OK.
You would like to check out these posts as well:
Have any feedback? It would be nice to know your valuable feedback in the comments below.
The founder of iGeeksBlog, Dhvanesh, is an Apple aficionado, who cannot stand even a slight innuendo about Apple products. He dons the cap of editor-in-chief to make sure that articles match the quality standard before they are published.
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/