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To change where Windows 11’s Downloads folder points, open File Explorer, right-click Downloads, choose Properties > Location > Move, and select the destination folder. If a browser still saves files somewhere else, change that browser’s download location separately.
Change the Windows Downloads folder location
- Open File Explorer and find Downloads in the navigation pane or under This PC.
- Right-click Downloads, then select Properties.
- Open the Location tab and select Move.
- Choose the folder you want to use and confirm the selection. If Windows asks whether to move the existing files to the new location, choose Yes to move them too or No to leave them where they are.
- Check the path shown on the Location tab, or open Downloads in File Explorer to confirm the change.
This changes the location of the Windows personal Downloads folder. Microsoft’s instructions describe the folder’s Location-tab controls and move process: Microsoft Support: Find lost files after upgrading Windows.
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Which download setting should you change?
Windows, browsers, and Windows storage settings can each affect where files go. Use the setting that matches the behavior you want to change.
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| Windows Downloads folder | Redirects the Windows personal Downloads folder. The default path is %USERPROFILE%Downloads. |
File Explorer > right-click Downloads > Properties > Location > Move. Microsoft Support. |
| Microsoft Edge download location | Changes where Edge saves downloads; it is configured separately from the Windows folder. | Edge > Settings > Downloads > Location > Change. Microsoft Support: Change the download folder location in Microsoft Edge. |
| Windows “Where new content is saved” | Selects a drive for each content type listed in Windows; it is not the control for redirecting the Downloads folder. | Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved. Microsoft Support: Manage drive space with Storage Sense. |
Change Edge’s download folder separately
- In Microsoft Edge, open Settings > Downloads.
- Look under Location to see the current download path.
- Select Change, then choose the folder where Edge should save files.
Edge also provides an option to ask where to save each file before downloading. Microsoft documents the location and per-download prompt in its Edge download settings guidance.
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Choose a destination that will be available
You can move Downloads to another folder or drive without using removable storage. If you do choose a USB drive or SD card, files stored there are available only while that device is connected. That can suit files you keep but do not use often; it is less convenient for downloads you need to access regularly. See Microsoft’s guidance on choosing where new content is saved.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the folder move fails or folders get mixed up
Do not start by editing the registry. Microsoft documents an advanced recovery for cases where a personal folder is mapped to another personal folder, but warns: “Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly.” Back up the registry before making any change, and use Microsoft’s steps only if the ordinary Location-tab method has failed: Microsoft Support: Restore the default location of personal folders.
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For the Downloads folder, Microsoft identifies the User Shell Folders value {374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B} and its default as %USERPROFILE%Downloads. Its recovery guidance says to restart Explorer, sign out and back in, or restart Windows after changing the value. Registry editing is an advanced workaround, not the normal way to change the folder.
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