How to Change the Default Download Location in Windows 10

Put your Microsoft Edge downloads (almost) wherever you want

Windows 10 laptop

Getty Images/Drew Angerer

by Fionna Agomuoh
Fionna Agomuoh has been a tech writer and product reviewer since 2011. Her writing has appeared in Newsweek, International Business Times, and others.
Updated September 09, 2019

Many users enjoy the updated features of Microsoft Edge, but one feature sorely missed from the original Internet Explorer is the ability to change the download location directly from the browser.

Fortunately, there's a way to set a new download location within Windows 10's settings. You can redirect your downloads from the Downloads folder on your computer's C: drive, or to a new downloads folder in a different drive. Read on to learn how to set a new download location.

Instructions in this article apply to Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 only.

How to Change Default Download Location in Windows 10

It's best to change the default download location when you've just set up a new Windows 10 computer, recently reset your computer, or have only a few files in your original Downloads folder. It may take some time for the files to move from the old path to the new path.

  1. Create a new folder for your downloads. Create this folder in a location in a disk that's not the C: drive. 

    Alternatively, if you already have a folder you want to use for your downloads, make sure it's in a location other than the C: drive. 

  2. Press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer.

    Screenshot of File Explorer window

  3. Right-click on Downloads in the left pane of the File Explorer window and choose Properties. The Downloads Properties window will open.

    Screenshot of Downloads Properties

  4. Select the Location tab of the Downloads Properties window.

    Screenshot of Downloads Properties Location tab

  5. Select the Move button to open the Select a Destination window. Navigate to the new folder where you want to store downloads.

    Screenshot of new destination for Downloads

  6. Choose Select Folder, then select Apply. 

  7. Select Okay.

  8. You'll then get a prompt asking if you want the files from your original Downloads folder to go into the new Downloads folder. If you do, select Yes to confirm. 

    It's safer to set new download locations on non-removable storage, such as an internal hard drive or SSD. External storage can be volatile and corrupt files if not properly connected to a computer.

  9. The new downloads path is now set. Now, when you download from Microsoft Edge, all data will go to the new download location.

If you reinstall Windows 10, a custom Downloads folder on a different drive won't disappear with all your data if you accidentally format your system partition.