Quick Links

Key Takeaways

To view your download history in Google Chrome, click the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner and hit "Downloads." Click the X next to the download to remove it from your download history. Alternatively, click the three-dot icon on the Downloads page and click "Clear All" to wipe your entire download history.

While using Google Chrome on Windows, Mac, Linux, or Chrome OS, it's easy to see a list of your previously downloaded files and to clear your download history if necessary. Here's how to do it.

First, open Google Chrome. In any window, click the main menu button (three vertical dots) in the upper-right corner. In the menu that appears, click "Downloads."

In the Chrome menu, click "Downloads."

When the "Downloads" tab opens, you'll see your download history presented as a list of files. If you have any active downloads, they will also be shown here. Depending on the status of each file, what you see beside its entry will change. If a file has been deleted since you downloaded it, you'll see "Deleted" beside the file name. If the download was interrupted, you can often resume the download by clicking the "Resume" button.

Related: How to Fix the "Download Failed Network Error" Issue in Google Chrome

Also, you can conveniently open the file's location with a handy link. To do so in Finder on a Mac, click "Show in Finder. To open the file's location on Linux, Chrome OS, or Windows, click "Show in Folder."

Click "Show in Finder" on Mac or "Show in Folder" on Windows or Linux.

Whenever you're done checking the Downloads list, just close the "Downloads" tab. Chrome will keep a record of your downloads unless you manually clear the list.

How to Clear Your Download History in Chrome

If you want to erase your download history in Chrome, first open the "Downloads" tab by clicking the three dots menu button, then select "Downloads."

In the Chrome menu, click "Downloads."

To remove an individual download from the Downloads list, click the "X" button in the upper-right corner of the entry. (This will not erase the file that Chrome saved to your computer.)

In Chrome, click the "X" beside an entry in the Downloads list to delete it.

Repeat this with any other files you want to remove from the Downloads list.

To completely wipe your Chrome download history, first click the three dots button located on the blue "Downloads" toolbar.

Click the three dots in the blue Download toolbar.

In the small menu that pops up, select "Clear All."

Click "Clear All."

Chrome will completely erase your downloads list. Any files you have downloaded will not be affected.

Keep in mind that Incognito Mode (Chrome's private browsing mode) will not erase your downloads list. So if you want to keep your download history clear for privacy reasons, you'll need to erase it manually using the steps above on a regular basis. Happy downloading!

Related: How to Open Chrome's Incognito Mode with a Keyboard Shortcut