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  1. C:
  2. Users
  3. <utilisateur>
  4. Downloads
FolderRisk: Caution
  • Localized name

Downloads C:\Users\<utilisateur>\Downloads

User Downloads folder: default location of files downloaded by browsers; content that often needs sorting.

Updated on By AltF4 Formation

What it’s for

Downloads (FOLDERID_Downloads) is where browsers and most applications save downloaded files. French File Explorer shows it as “Téléchargements”, but the folder is still named Downloads on disk.

What it contains

Installers, archives, documents, images. A file that came from the Internet usually carries a Zone.Identifier alternate data stream (ZoneId=3), which is what triggers the File Explorer and SmartScreen warning when you open it.

Risks and best practices

  • This folder is often the only copy of a file the user thinks of as “temporary”. Warn the user before any cleanup. Storage Sense can automatically delete old files from Downloads; the option is off by default.
  • It is the classic entry point for malware. Check an installer’s signature and hash before you run it.
  • Do not leave exports or configuration backups here: the folder is often neither encrypted nor backed up.
  • It can be redirected (folder redirection policy, OneDrive). Read the real path before you process it.

Useful commands

Fenêtre de terminal
# Real path of the Downloads folder (registry key)
(Get-ItemProperty 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders').'{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}'


# Largest files
Get-ChildItem "$env:USERPROFILE\Downloads" -File -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
    Sort-Object Length -Descending | Select-Object -First 10 Name, @{n='MB';e={[math]::Round($_.Length/1MB,1)}}


# Internet origin mark of a file
Get-Content -Path "$env:USERPROFILE\Downloads\<file>" -Stream Zone.Identifier


# Remove the mark from a file whose source you know
Unblock-File "$env:USERPROFILE\Downloads\<file>"

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