Our computers are not blessed with unlimited memory, especially (c) drive, the default location for installing Windows, and other major software. The drive also contains the ‘Download’ folder. As a result, the C drive is often overflowed with all the files. That’s why many feel the need of changing the default download location from C drive to somewhere else. The task is pretty easy actually if you are a Windows 10 user or for that matter user of any versions. I am going to show you how to change default download location on Windows 10 with 5 different methods. You can choose any of the methods to complete the task. Here we go…
Method 1
You can change the download location path from the file explorer and it is quite simple. Let’s follow the steps:
Step 1: Go to ‘This PC’ or file explorer, whatever you want to call it. Then navigate to the drive (C) and the ‘Download’ folder. Right-click on the download folder and hit the ‘Properties’ option.
Step 2: Under the ‘Location’ tap you should see that the default download location is the usual C drive. You want to change it, right? Then hit the ‘Move’ button, right below the path texts.
Step 3: Now, select your preferred drive and location; name the folder whatever you want. When you are done, click on the ‘Select Folder’ option.
Step 4: Next, click on the ‘Apply’ button to make the change you had made.
Step 5: You will be asked to move all the files from the default download folder to the chosen new drive. Click on ‘Yes’ to confirm.
Step 6: Click on the ‘OK button. Not only all the files are moved from the default download location but also next time you download something will be saved in the chosen destination path.
Method 2
You can change the default download location on Windows 10 from the Settings menu. Let’s look at the details of the process.
Step 1: Click on the Windows icon located at the bottom-left corner of the screen to find the ‘Settings’ option. Click on settings to enter the menu.
Step 2: On the page of the settings page, click on the ‘System’ option.
Step 3: On the left, click on the ‘Storage’ tab where all the drives and saved locations are found.
Step 4: You will see that location for new apps, documents, music, picture, videos is set on volume C. If you want to change it, then expand individual options and choose the volume you want to. This is how you can change the default location for saving the next downloads.
Method 3
This method is not actually a permanent solution. Whenever you download something, you are often asked where to save the downloaded item. And most often, you see that the download manager wants to save the files on the default C drive which is obviously you do not want. So, change the location path to drive D or E or F or wherever.
However, next time you download something, unlike the other methods mentioned here, the default folder is again the drive (C). So, you have to change the path again. Another problem is that some downloads do not even ask you and the files are saved on the default location. Hence, this method is not probably ideal for all situations. That’s why follow our next methods to find more appropriate solutions.
Method 4
We are going to use Registry Editor to change the default download location on Windows 10.
Step 1: From the Windows search bar, search for ‘regedit’, and when you find it, open it directly or open it as an administrator.
Step 2: On the left bar of the Registry Editor, expand the option called ‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE’. Under this folder, you will see SOFTWARE; expand it as well. Then, expand the ‘Microsoft’ folder.
Step 3: Scroll down to find the ‘Windows’ folder and click on the ‘CurrentVersion’ folder to view its contents.
Step 4: You will see several files on the right side; look for something called ‘ProgramFilesDir’ and double click on it.
Step 5: Next, change the value data. Keep everything as it is; just change the letter from C to D/E/F (the drive to choose for default download location). Where you are done, click on the ‘OK’ button to save the changes.
Method 5
You can change the default download location from the browsers as well. I have provided figures and facts about the process applicable to the Chrome browser. But you can follow more or less the same procedures for other browsers too including Firefox, Opera, or Windows Explorer, etc.
Step 1: Go to the browser and click on the more option located at the top-right corner of the screen (three-dot icon).
Step 2: Scroll down to find the ‘Advanced’ option. Click on it to expand the option.
Step 3: Under the advanced tab, you should be able to find the ‘Downloads’ item, where the default location is set on the drive (C). Alternatively, just search from the settings menu directly to reach this downloads option. Then, click on the ‘Change’ button.
Step 4: Choose the desired location as the default download folder and then hit the ‘Select Folder’ button. That’s it, any download from this browser will be saved on the chosen location. Of course, in case you download files from the other browsers, this setting change won’t apply to them. You have to follow the same process in other browsers too to change their default download location.
Conclusion
Changing default download location on Windows 10, pretty easy, isn’t it? I am sure that you can also do it by following any of the methods mentioned in this article. Goodbye for today!
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