Windows 10 getting major change to prevent inadvertent data deletion
Microsoft is planning to introduce a major change into Windows 10 as part of an effort to prevent users from deleting their data mistakenly. The change will tie to the Disk Cleanup tool, a utility that allows users to perform a cleanup of their PC and free hard disk space. Here's all you need to know about it.
Clearing out downloads from Disk Cleanup
While Disk Cleanup works as an easy to use and reliable tool to clear up folders, extraneous files, temporary internet files, and cache, users have been encountering some problems while using it. Specifically, they have reported cases of accidentally clearing out the 'Downloads' folder - one of the many destinations that Disk Cleanup offers to wipe out - while using the tool.
Removing downloads can compromise important files
Most of the destinations that Disk Cleanup offers to wipe out are places where temporary data and non-useful stuff lie. But, 'Downloads' is where your personal files - photos/movies/shows - or work-related documents might be resting. So, if by any chance, you end up checking the downloads option in the Disk Cleanup tool, all of this data would be gone for good.
Thankfully, Microsoft has heard the complaints
As several users complained about committing this error and inadvertently clearing out their downloads, Microsoft decided to remove the download option from Disk Cleanup entirely. The company announced the change in the release notes for Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 19018 (20H1) in hopes of keeping users from deleting their important downloaded files in the future.
When other users would see this change?
As of now, the tweaked Disk Cleanup tool is only available for Windows Insiders in the Fast ring. It should be rolled out to a wider user base, particularly those using a stable version of Windows 10, in the coming weeks or months, but the timeline is not exactly clear. Microsoft has not said anything on the matter thus far.
