How to Change the Download Location in Windows 10 (Folder, Browsers, and Apps)

To change the download location in Windows 10, open File Explorer, right-click Downloads in the left pane, and choose Properties. On the Location tab, click Move, pick or create a new folder (for example, D:\Downloads), click Select Folder, then Apply, and Yes to move your existing files. Windows and most apps will now save downloads there. Your web browser may also have its own download setting, which you can change separately.

Note: Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) now run until October 12, 2027. These steps still work on Windows 10, but upgrading to Windows 11 is the long-term way to keep getting security fixes.

Below are the steps for the Downloads folder, each major browser, and Microsoft Store apps, plus how to undo the change.

Method 1: Move the Downloads folder

1. Create the new folder first, such as Downloads on your D: drive. Don’t pick the root of a drive (like D:\ itself).
2. Open File Explorer with Windows key + E.
3. Right-click Downloads under Quick access or This PC and choose Properties.
4. Click the Location tab.
5. Click Move, browse to your new folder, and click Select Folder.
6. Click Apply. When asked whether to move all files from the old location, click Yes.
7. Click OK.

This moves the whole Downloads folder, so every browser and app that saves to “Downloads” follows it automatically.

Method 2: Change the download folder in your browser

Microsoft Edge

1. Click Settings and more (three dots) > Settings > Downloads.
2. Next to Location, click Change and pick a folder.
3. Turn on Ask me what to do with each download if you want to choose a folder every time.

Google Chrome

1. Click the three dots > Settings > Downloads.
2. Next to Location, click Change and pick a folder.
3. Turn on Ask where to save each file before downloading to choose each time.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click the menu (three lines) > Settings.
2. On the General page, scroll to Files and Applications.
3. Next to Save files to, click Browse, or choose Always ask you where to save files.

Method 3: Change where Microsoft Store apps and games are saved

1. Go to Settings > System > Storage.
2. Click Change where new content is saved.
3. Under New apps will save to, choose another drive and click Apply.

This affects only new installs. To move games from Steam, see how to find the Steam folder, which covers library folders on other drives.

How to restore the default Downloads location

1. Right-click Downloads in File Explorer and choose Properties.
2. On the Location tab, click Restore Default.
3. Click Apply and Yes to create the folder and move files back to C:\Users\your name\Downloads.

Troubleshooting

• Downloads still go to the old folder. Your browser has its own location set. Change it using Method 2.
• “Access denied” when moving. Close apps that might be using files in Downloads, then try again. Make sure you can write to the new folder.
• An external drive isn’t always connected. If you move Downloads to a USB drive and unplug it, downloads may fail. Keep Downloads on an internal drive.
• You moved Downloads to the root of a drive by mistake. Click Restore Default on the Location tab to fix it, then move it to a proper subfolder.

Related: Download directly to a flash drive in Windows 10.

Frequently asked questions

Will moving the Downloads folder delete my files?

No. If you click Yes when asked, Windows moves your existing files to the new location.

Why move the Downloads folder?

To free up space on a small C: drive, keep large files on a faster or bigger drive, or keep downloads on a drive you back up.

Are the steps the same on Windows 11?

Yes. The Location tab and browser settings work the same way on Windows 11.