Configure Storage Sense to Purge Downloads in Regedit

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to configure Windows Storage Sense using the Registry Editor (Regedit) to automatically purge contents from your Downloads folder. By adjusting specific registry DWORD values, you can enable Storage Sense and define an automated cleanup interval for old or unneeded download files.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

  1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter (or click OK).
  3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to grant administrative privileges.

Step 2: Navigate to the Storage Sense Registry Key

In the Registry Editor address bar at the top, paste the following path and press Enter:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\StorageSense\Parameters\StoragePolicy

Note: If the StoragePolicy subkey does not exist, right-click the Parameters folder, select New > Key, and name it StoragePolicy.

Step 3: Enable Storage Sense

To ensure Storage Sense runs automatically:

  1. Locate the DWORD value named 01 in the right pane. If it does not exist, right-click an empty space, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it 01.
  2. Double-click the 01 value.
  3. Set the Value data to 1.
  4. Click OK.

Step 4: Configure the Downloads Cleanup Interval

The DWORD value 32 controls the retention threshold for files inside the Downloads folder.

  1. In the right pane, look for a DWORD named 32. If it is missing, right-click, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it 32.
  2. Double-click 32 to edit its value.
  3. Select the Decimal base option.
  4. Set the Value data to one of the following numbers depending on your desired purge timeline:
    • 0 = Never delete downloaded files.
    • 1 = Delete files older than 1 day.
    • 14 = Delete files older than 14 days.
    • 30 = Delete files older than 30 days.
    • 60 = Delete files older than 60 days.
  5. Click OK to save the changes.

Step 5: Apply the Changes

Close the Registry Editor. The configuration takes effect immediately for the current user profile. Storage Sense will automatically purge files in your Downloads folder that exceed the specified age threshold during its scheduled maintenance runs.