How to Change the Default Download Location in Windows 10

What to Know

Edge: Go to the Main menu and select Settings > Downloads. Under Location, select Change. Go to a destination and choose Select Folder.
Windows 10: Go to Settings > System > Storage > Change where new content is saved. Choose default locations for various file types.

This article explains how to change the Windows 10 default downloads folder directly from the Microsoft Edge browser, a feature missing from the original Internet Explorer. It also includes information on changing the download location for other types of files in the Windows 10 settings.

How to Change the Default Download Location in Windows 11

How to Change Default Download Location in Windows 10 for Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge has an easy way of setting the download location.

Open Microsoft Edge.
Select Settings and more (the three horizontal dots) in the upper-right corner or press Alt+X.
Select Settings in the drop-down menu.
Under Downloads, select Change.
Browse to the desired location and choose Select Folder.

It's best to change the default download location when you set up a new Windows 10 computer, reset your computer, or have only a few files in your original Downloads folder.

Change Default Location of Files in Windows

There are also additional settings in Windows 10 for changing the default locations for other files.

Open Settings. Either go to the Windows Start Menu and select Settings or press Windows key+I.
Select System.
In the left panel, select Storage.
Under More storage settings, select Change where new content is saved.
Choose the default location of various files, including new apps, new documents, new music, and others.
Select the drop-down arrow next to an item you want to change and choose the appropriate drive.

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