Windows 10 lets you choose a different drive for new apps, documents, music, pictures, and videos. Open Start > Settings > System > Storage, select Change where new content is saved (sometimes under More storage settings), then choose a drive for each content type.
Change the default drive for new content
- Open Start and select Settings.
- Choose System, then Storage.
- In Windows 10, select Change where new content is saved. Depending on the Settings layout, you may find it under More storage settings.
- Use the drop-down beside each available category to select its destination drive. Microsoft describes this as selecting a drive for each content type.
- Repeat the selection independently for any categories you want to change.
The available categories are typically New apps will save to, New documents will save to, New music will save to, New pictures will save to, and New videos will save to. Different categories can use different drives.
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Set the Camera app’s photo and video destination
In the same Storage area, look for New photos and videos will save to. Select the required drive, such as This PC (C:), from its menu. If Camera Roll is missing or the setting does not appear correctly, reselect the intended drive and check the Camera app again.
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If the drive you want is not listed
- Connect the external drive, USB drive, or other storage device to the PC.
- Return to the Storage page and open the relevant drop-down again.
- Keep in mind that an external drive is available only while it is connected. Apps or files that depend on it may not work as expected when it is unplugged.
What this setting changes—and what it does not
It changes defaults for new content
The setting establishes the preferred drive for newly created or installed content in the listed categories. It is a default, not a command that every application must follow.
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It does not move files already on the PC
Existing documents, pictures, videos, or other files remain where they are. To relocate them, use File Explorer to cut the files or folders, open the destination drive, and paste them there. Moving files to external storage also means the files are unavailable whenever that drive is disconnected.
Apps can still choose another location
For an individual file, use the application’s Save or Save As dialog to select a folder manually. Microsoft notes that users can continue choosing a location each time they save.
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It does not relocate your OneDrive folder
The Windows content-location controls and the OneDrive folder location are separate settings. Moving the OneDrive folder requires OneDrive’s own location-change procedure; changing the Windows defaults does not move that synchronized folder.
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- Check available space: Use a drive with enough room for the type of content you expect to add.
- Prefer consistently available storage: A permanently installed internal drive is less likely to disappear than a removable drive.
- Separate large categories when useful: For example, videos can use a roomier drive while documents remain on the system drive.
- Consider synchronization: If you want files available through OneDrive, configure OneDrive separately rather than assuming this Windows setting enables sync.
Free space without changing default save locations
Windows 10’s Storage Sense can work with OneDrive under Microsoft’s stated Windows 10 version and system-drive conditions. OneDrive Files On-Demand can show cloud files without keeping full-size local copies, helping reduce disk use. These are space-management features, not controls for selecting the default drive for new content.
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Quick troubleshooting checklist
- Confirm that you are in Settings > System > Storage, not a file application’s own preferences.
- Look under More storage settings if Change where new content is saved is not immediately visible.
- Connect the intended drive before opening the category menu.
- Recheck each category separately; changing one does not automatically change the others.
- For a single file, use Save As if the application ignores or overrides the Windows default.
- If the problem concerns OneDrive, follow OneDrive’s folder-location settings instead.
The Bottom Line
Go to Settings > System > Storage > Change where new content is saved, then select a drive separately for each category. The change affects new content only; it does not move existing files or relocate OneDrive.
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