Being able to easily access saved items is crucial for many internet users. With the vast amount of content online, saving webpages, articles, images, videos and more for later makes it possible to keep useful information organized. However, if you don’t know where your browser saves downloaded files and bookmarked webpages, it can be frustrating and time-consuming to locate them again.
The good news is that popular browsers have dedicated areas where saved content is stored. So where exactly can you find your saved items? Read on for an overview of where to access downloads, bookmarks, read-later lists, and more in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Internet Explorer.
Downloads
When you download something from the internet – like a file, app, video, or any other item – it gets saved to your device’s Downloads folder. Here’s how to easily access it:
Windows
On Windows 10 and 11 computers, your downloads are saved to the Downloads folder by default. You can get to this folder quickly by clicking the File Explorer icon in your taskbar and selecting Downloads from the left sidebar.
You can also press the Windows key + E to open a File Explorer window and navigate to Downloads. If you upgraded from an older version of Windows, your downloads may be saved in the Users>[Your Username]>Downloads folder instead.
Mac
On Mac computers, your downloads are saved to the Downloads folder located in your user account’s Documents folder. You can access this folder by going to Finder > Documents > Downloads.
You can also press Shift + Command + D to jump straight to your Downloads folder from the Finder. If you changed the default download location, go to Safari > Preferences > General and check where it’s set to save files.
Chromebook
The Downloads folder is where your Chromebook saves downloaded files too. To access it, click the Launcher icon, select ‘Files’, and choose ‘Downloads’. You can also press Ctrl + O to quickly open the Files app and then navigate to Downloads.
If you’re using Android apps on your Chromebook, check the My Files or File Manager app for a Downloads folder with content saved from those apps.
Linux
On Linux devices like Ubuntu, downloaded files are usually saved to the default Downloads folder located in your user account’s home directory. You can access it quickly by opening your file manager and selecting Downloads in the left sidebar.
If the folder is not shown, open your Home folder and look for a Downloads folder there. The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + J will also take you straight to your Downloads folder in Ubuntu’s Nautilus file manager.
Android and iOS
On Android devices, apps generally save downloads to a Downloads folder either in the device’s main internal storage or external SD card if one is installed. You can access this folder through your device’s Files or My Files app.
On iOS devices like iPhones and iPads, there is no central Downloads folder. Apps save their downloads in their own individual storage areas. To access downloads from Safari and other apps, go to that app and look for a Downloads or Files section in its settings or menu.
Bookmarks
Bookmarks let you save webpages to easily access them again later. Here’s where to find your bookmark collection in different browsers:
Chrome
In Google Chrome, your bookmarks are saved in the Bookmarks Manager. To open it, click the star icon in the toolbar. This will display a drop-down menu – select “Bookmarks” to open the Bookmarks Manager tab and view all your saved bookmarks.
Firefox
In Mozilla Firefox, click the Library icon (books) in the toolbar, then select Bookmarks to see your collection. Alternatively, press Ctrl + Shift + B to quickly open your bookmarks.
Safari
In Safari on Mac, click the Show Bookmarks icon (open book) in the toolbar. Select the Bookmarks tab to access your complete bookmark collection.
Edge
Microsoft Edge saves your bookmarks to its Bookmarks Manager. Click the star icon in the toolbar and select Bookmarks from the menu to open your bookmarks.
Internet Explorer
In Internet Explorer, click the star icon in the toolbar and select Add to Favorites to view and manage your bookmarks. You can also press Ctrl + B.
Read It Later Lists
Many browsers let you save webpages to a read later list. Here’s where to find those:
Chrome
Chrome’s Reading List lets you tag webpages to read later. To access it, click the Menu icon > Bookmarks > Reading List. You can also open a new tab and type chrome://reading-list into the address bar.
Firefox
Firefox has a Pocket integration that lets you save webpages to your Pocket reading list. Click the Pocket icon in the toolbar to view your list. Log into your Pocket account to access your list across devices.
Safari
Safari has a built-in Reading List you can add pages to by clicking the glasses icon in the address bar. Click Show Reading List in the toolbar to view your saved pages.
Edge
Microsoft Edge includes a Reading List as well. Add pages to it using the glasses icon or the … menu. Open it by clicking the glasses icon and selecting Reading List.
Browsing History
Your browser’s history contains a record of websites you’ve recently visited. Here’s how to view it:
Chrome
Open Chrome and click the Menu icon > History to view your full browsing history. You can also open a new tab and type chrome://history to see it.
Firefox
In Firefox, click the Library icon in the toolbar and select History from the dropdown menu. You can also press Ctrl+H.
Safari
To view your Safari browsing history, open a new tab and select History > Show All History. Or click the clock icon in the toolbar and select History.
Edge
In Edge, click the … menu > History to open your browsing history. You can also press Ctrl + H.
Internet Explorer
Click the Hub icon > History tab to view your IE browsing history. You can also press Ctrl + H.
Cache
Your browser’s cache contains temporary files like images and data from websites you’ve visited:
Chrome
Chrome’s cache can be cleared by clicking Menu > More Tools > Clear Browsing Data. Select Cached Images and Files and time range to remove.
Firefox
In Firefox, click Library > History > Clear Recent History. Select Cache and time range to clear cached data.
Safari
Safari’s cache can be cleared through Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Choose time range and clear Cached Web Content.
Edge
For Edge, click … > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data. Pick Cached data and images and time range.
Internet Explorer
In IE, click Settings icon > Internet Options > General tab. Under Browsing History, click Delete… and choose Temporary Internet Files and time range.
Cookies
Cookies are small data files websites store on your device. Here is how to view and delete them:
Chrome
For Chrome cookies, click Menu > Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. Select Cookies and other site data and time range.
Firefox
In Firefox, click Library > History > Clear Recent History. Pick Cookies and time range to remove.
Safari
Safari cookies can be cleared through Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Select Cookies and other website data and time range.
Edge
For Edge, go to … > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data. Choose Cookies and other site data and time range.
Internet Explorer
In IE, click Settings icon > Internet Options > General tab. Under Browsing History, click Delete… and select Cookies and time range.
Passwords
Your saved passwords for websites are stored securely by your browser. Here is how to view and manage them:
Chrome
Chrome saves passwords through Smart Lock. To view and manage these passwords, click Menu > Settings > Autofill > Passwords.
Firefox
In Firefox, saved passwords are accessed through Menu > Logins and Passwords. Click View Saved Logins to see your list.
Safari
Safari saves passwords through iCloud Keychain. Check Safari > Preferences > Passwords to manage saved website passwords.
Edge
Edge has a Password Manager that stores saved passwords. View and manage your passwords by going to … > Settings > Profiles > Saved passwords.
Internet Explorer
IE also includes a password manager. Your saved passwords can be accessed through the settings gear icon > Manage Add-ons > Saved Passwords.
Extensions
Browsers support extensions that add functionality. Here is where to manage installed extensions:
Chrome
Chrome extensions can be accessed through Menu > More Tools > Extensions. Here you can view, remove, and configure installed extensions.
Firefox
In Firefox, click the Menu > Add-ons and Themes to manage installed extensions and themes. You can enable, disable, remove, and configure them here.
Safari
Safari extensions are managed through Safari > Preferences > Extensions. View installed extensions here and enable, disable, reconfigure, or remove them.
Edge
For Edge, open … > Extensions to view and manage installed extensions. Options include enabling, disabling, changing settings, and removing.
Internet Explorer
In IE, click the settings gear icon > Manage Add-ons to view and configure toolbars, extensions, and plugins. Disable, enable, change settings, or delete here.
Conclusion
Knowing where your browser stores saved content like downloads, bookmarks, history, and passwords enables you to easily access this useful information again later. Bookmark this guide for reference so you can quickly find your saved items!