How to change the default download location in Windows 11
Windows groups all downloaded files and stores them in the Downloads folder. If you have downloaded any files from the Internet, you must be familiar with the Downloads folder. While most people won't change the default location of the Downloads folder, Windows gives you the option to do so. In this article, we detail how to change the default download location in Windows 11.
Change the download folder location in Windows 11 (2022)
What is the default download folder location in Windows 11?
When you download files from the Internet, Windows stores them in the Downloads folder. By default, you will find all downloaded files in the following paths:
C:Users<username>Downloads
If you want to change the default download folder in Windows 11, follow the detailed instructions below:
Set custom download location in Windows 11
1. Use the Windows 11 keyboard shortcut Win+E to open File Explorer, right-click the Downloads folder in the Quick Access Panel, and select Properties.
2. Switch to the "Location" tab and click the "Move" button to select a path to save all new downloads.
3. From the file chooser interface, navigate to the new download folder and click Choose Folder.
4. Next, click Apply to confirm the changes. Going forward, you'll find your newly downloaded content in the folder you just selected.
5. Windows will now urge you to move all downloaded files to the new Downloads folder. Click Yes if you want to keep all your downloads in one place. You can also choose to skip this step and start over in a new folder.
6. To restore the old download location, you can click the "Restore Default" button and use "Download for <username>" as the default download location in Windows 11.
Change the download location for Microsoft Store apps
If you want to change the download location for apps downloaded through the Microsoft Store, you can do that too. Use the following steps:
1. Open the Settings app and click "Storage" under "System" to view storage-related settings.
2. Under the Storage Management section, expand Advanced Storage Settings and click Where to save new content.
3. You will now see a section that says – "The new application will be saved to". Click the drop-down list below the title to select a new location for storing the application.
4. You can now choose another drive on your PC to save applications downloaded through the Microsoft Store.
Select the download folder in Windows 11
So, these are the steps involved in choosing a folder to save downloads in Windows 11. You can also change the Screenshots folder location in Windows 11. In the meantime, if you want an early look at what's coming to Windows 11, take a look at our list of upcoming Windows 11 features.