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How to sort your Downloads folder automatically on Windows

KeyRoutines' Download Finished template uses the Download finished trigger and an If with Compare values on the file's extension. Archives go to their folder with Move or copy file, PDFs are moved, renamed with Rename file and opened with Open file or folder, and anything else gets a notification.

Steps

  1. 1

    Start from the template

    Add Download Finished; it watches your Downloads folder and waits until each file is complete.

  2. 2

    Sort by type

    An If with Compare values checks the file's extension: .zip, .7z or .rar, or .pdf.

  3. 3

    Move archives

    Move or copy file moves archives into an Archives folder, adding a number if the name is taken.

  4. 4

    Date and open PDFs

    PDFs are moved to your PDFs folder, Rename file adds today's date from Format date, and Open file or folder opens them.

Tips

  • Download finished ignores the browser's temporary .crdownload and .part files and fires once the real file is done.
  • Every move is written to an undo journal.

Questions

Does it work with every browser?
Yes. It watches the folder, not the browser, so Edge, Chrome, Firefox and download managers all work.
Can I add my own rules, like images to Pictures?
Yes. Add another branch to the If with the extensions and a Move or copy file step.

Blocks this routine uses

Trigger · FilesFree

Download finished

Download finished starts a routine when a new file has completely downloaded. It waits until the browser is really done, so your steps never grab a half-written file.

Condition · Flow and routinesFree

Compare values

Compare values is the everyday yes-or-no check in KeyRoutines. You put a value on the left, pick a test, and put a value on the right, so an If can branch on things like a battery level, a window title or a number an earlier step worked out.

Step · FilesFree

Move or copy file

Move or copy file puts a file or folder somewhere else, either moving it or leaving the original and making a copy. It is the workhorse behind download sorting, archiving and backup routines.

Step · Data and variablesFree

Format date

Format date writes a date as text in the layout you choose. It's the step behind dated file names, readable times in messages and timestamps in log files.

Step · FilesFree

Rename file

Rename file changes a file or folder's name without moving it. You can write a whole new name, or find and replace part of the current one.

Step · FilesFree

Open file or folder

Open file or folder opens something on your PC as part of a routine. Use it to bring up today's notes, a project folder, or the file a trigger just found.

More how-to guides

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