Changing Your Windows 11 Download Folder: A Step-by-Step Guide

Windows makes this easy through the folder's properties

By
Jerri Ledford
Jerri Ledford
Jerri Ledford
Editorial Director
  • Western Kentucky University
  • Gulf Coast Community College
Jerri L. Ledford has been writing, editing, and fact-checking tech stories since 1994. Her work has appeared in Computerworld, PC Magazine, Information Today, and many others.
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Updated on March 31, 2025
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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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Microsoft

The Download

  • You can change the default location for downloads through the folder's properties.
  • Right-click the Downloads folder and choose Properties > Location > Move.
  • Pick a new location and then select Apply.

This article explains how to change the default download location for Windows 11 so that you can download files directly to wherever you like.

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

The easiest way to change the default download folder is to edit the location in the Download folder's Properties menu.

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

  1. Open File Explorer by pressing Win+E or selecting the folder icon on the taskbar.

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

    Windows 11 Downloads folder context menu

    Can't find it? Press Win+R to open the Run dialog box, and then enter the command shell:downloads to launch the Downloads folder. If you go this route, right-click the empty space in the folder to open its properties.

  3. Select the Location tab and then choose Move under the current Downloads folder location.

    Windows 11 Downloads folder Properties window

  4. Locate the download location you want to start using. After opening the folder, choose Select Folder.

    Selecting a new folder for the Windows 11 download location

    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 change the download location in Windows 11 to a folder on an external drive.

  5. Select Apply in the Download Properties window.

  6. Select Yes or No on the prompt to move all the files out of the old download location and into the new folder.

    Not sure which one to pick? Select Yes to be safe.

    Windows 11 Move Folder prompt for selecting a new Downloads folder location

  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.

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, and 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 > Storage. Select the + to create a new path. Future installations will go to the new location. To move a game's installation folder, open the Storage settings, select the drive that holds the games, choose the games you want to move, and then select Move.

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