How to Change the Default Download Location in Windows 11

Use Downloads Properties to change the location to some other folder

By
Jon Martindale
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Jon Martindale
Writer
    Jon Martindale has been a feature tech writer for more than 10 years. He's written for publications such as Digital Trends, KitGuru, and ITProPortal.
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    Updated on October 2, 2023
    Reviewed by
    Jon Fisher
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    Reviewed by Jon Fisher
    • Wichita Technical Institute

    Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA-certified technologist with more than 10 years of experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.

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    What to Know

    • Change default location for downloads: Right-click Downloads folder's, go to Properties > Location > Move.
    • Pick any location you like, including the Desktop.
    • When you click Apply, it may ask you to move your existing files.

    This guide will teach you how to change the default download location for Windows 11, so you can download files directly to wherever you like.

    This method also works for Windows 10, though the operating system looks a little different.

    How Do I Change the Default Download Location in Windows 11?

    The easiest way to change the default download location in Windows 11, is to use the Move option from within the Download folder's Properties menu.

    1. Select the File Explorer folder icon in the taskbar at the bottom of the screen to open the File Explorer window. If you don't see it, press Win+E.

      The File Explorer Window in Windows 11 with File Explorer folder icon highlighted

    2. Right-click or tap and hold the Downloads folder, and select Properties from the menu.

      Downloads folder and Properties highlighted in Windows 11.

    3. Select the Location tab, then select the Move button.

      Windows 11 Downloads folder with Location tab highlighted and Move button highlighted

    4. Navigate through File Explorer to choose your preferred download location, then click Select Folder.

      Changing the download folder location to Desktop on Windows 11 with Select Folder highlighted

      It can be almost any folder you want, and on any drive you want. Choose a folder on the main drive, the Desktop, or a location on an entirely different drive if you prefer to keep your downloads off the boot drive. You can even choose an external drive.

    5. After you choose a location, select Apply back on the Properties window.

    6. Windows 11 will ask if you want to move all files from the old location to the new one. If you currently have nothing of importance in your Windows 11 Downloads folder, choose No.

      However, if you have previously downloaded applications or folders that may be a necessary component of some applications, or you just want to play it safe, select Yes.

      When you select Yes, none of your applications will stop working due to losing the path to necessary files or folders.

    7. Select OK after Windows 11 moves your files.

    How Do I Change My Default Download Location?

    The above method of moving the Windows 11 Downloads folder will create a new default download location for any files you download from the internet. You can change it multiple times if you want to find the right spot.

    Web browsers can define their own default download location. If newly downloaded files aren't showing up in the new location you defined above, double-check the browser's settings.

    Can You Change Microsoft Download Location?

    Yes, you can change the download folder location for all recent Windows operating systems. The above method works in both Windows 10 and 11 and only takes a couple of minutes to complete.

    FAQ
    • How do I change the download location in Windows 7?

      If you're running Windows 7 and want to change the download location, click Start > Computer, open the C drive, then open the Users folder. Open your username folder, then right-click on the Downloads folder and select Properties. Click the Location tab, then click the Move button and select the new download location. Click Select Folder > Apply > OK.

    • How do I change the Windows Store download location?

      To change the Microsoft Store apps and games download location, open Settings and go to System > Storage > Advanced storage settings. Choose Where new content is saved and then click the drop-down arrow next to New apps will save to.

    • How do I change the download location on a Mac?

      To change the download location on a Mac from the default Downloads folder, you'll change your browser's settings. Press Command + , (comma) to bring up your browser's Preferences screen; the rest of the steps will depend on your browser, In Chrome, select Advanced, go to the Downloads section, and, next to Location, select Change, then select the folder you want downloads to go.

    • How do I change the download location on Steam?

      To change your Steam games' installation location, open Settings, click the Downloads tab, and select Steam Library Folder. Select Add Library Folder and create a new default installation path. Future installations will go to the new location.

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