How to Automatically Organize New Downloads by File Type

Your Downloads folder shouldn’t be a junkyard.
Here’s how to set up automatic sorting by file type — so everything goes in its right place.

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✅ 1. Use Windows’ built-in folder rules (basic)

• Open Downloads

• Sort by “Type” → Select .pdf, .mp4, .zip, etc.

• Move to subfolders: /Documents, /Videos, /Software

✅ Manual, but efficient once a week.

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✅ 2. Use DropIt (free automation tool)

• Set rules like:

  • If .exe, move to /Downloads/Installers

  • If .mp3, move to /Downloads/Music

✅ Fully automated, runs in the background.

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✅ 3. Use macOS Automator (Mac users)

• Create a Folder Action on Downloads folder

• Add file-type-based move rules

✅ Works seamlessly with Finder.

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✅ 4. Use scripts for advanced control

Windows Batch example:

✅ Run it daily with Task Scheduler.

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✅ 5. Combine with cleanup tools

• Use CCleaner or Wise Disk Cleaner

• Set them to ignore organized folders

• Clean only the root Downloads folder

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Key points to remember

• DropIt = best free automation

• Batch scripts + Task Scheduler = advanced users

• Organized downloads = faster searching, less stress