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This tutorial will show you how to Change Default Download Location on windows PC and Mac. If you work in a job where you have to download a lot of new files, like Mail Attachments, set the download location for Chrome, and Firefox on Mac. The Mac stores all downloads by default on the Finder Desktop, which could make the desktop look cluttered.

By default, Google Chrome saves all files you download from the web in a folder called Downloads. This works fine for most people, but it’s easy to change if you want to, or if you’d rather Chrome ask you every time. If you have Windows 11/10, it is easy to change where the download folder is by default.

Since we know that our system can only store so much, it’s a problem when the drive with the downloads folder goes over its storage limit. In this case, there must be a way for the user to change where the downloads folder is by default, so that your downloads can go somewhere else.

How To Change Default Download Location on Windows

Using Registry Editor

With Windows Registry Editor, you can change a lot of your computer’s settings. This includes changing where your Windows 11 PC stores downloaded files by default. You only have to change one value in the registry for your chosen folder to be the new default location for downloads.

Create a new folder that you want to use as the default downloads folder. This could be anywhere on your computer or even on your connected drives.
Open your newly created folder with File Explorer.
You need to copy the path to your new downloads folder. Click the address bar, highlight the full path, and press Ctrl + C on your keyboard to copy the path.
Press the Windows + R keys at the same time to open the Run box.
Type the following into the Run box and press Enter. This’ll open the Registry Editor.
When the Registry Editor opens, navigate to the following path.

HKEY_CURRENT_USERS\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

On the right-hand side pane, you’ll see several registry values that you can tweak. Find the entry that has %USERPROFILE%\Downloads in its Data column and double-click it.
Put your cursor in the Value data box, remove the existing content from the box, and press Ctrl + V to paste the path to your new downloads folder location. Then click OK to save changes.
Restart your computer.

Using File Explorer

Use Cortana search to search for This PC and open it.
Navigate to the drive where you want to make a default downloads folder.
Once you’re in your chosen drive, right-click any blank space and choose New followed by Folder.
Enter a name for your new downloads folder. This is where your future downloaded files will be available.
Head to the root folder in This PC so you can see the Downloads folder.
Right-click the Downloads folder and select Properties.
On the following screen, click the tab that says Location.
In the Location tab, you’ll see the current path to your downloads folder. To change this folder, click the button that says Move.
Your computer will let you select the new default downloads folder. Navigate to the drive where you created the new folder and select it.
Click Apply followed by OK to use your newly selected folder as the default downloads location.
If you ever want to revert back to the old downloads folder, click the Restore Default button and it’ll reset your settings.

Change Default Download Location For Various File Types

Windows 11 has a feature that lets you save different types of files to different drives. With this feature, you can change where your apps, documents, music, and other files are saved on your computer. But you don’t get to choose the exact folder. You can only choose which drive to save your new content to.

Open the Start Menu, search for Settings, and open it.
Select the option that says System on the following screen.
Click Storage from the options available in the left sidebar.
You’ll see your storage information on the right-hand side pane. Scroll down and click the option that says Change where new content is saved.
On the following screen, you’ll see what content is saved where by default. To change the default downloads drive for a specific content type, click the dropdown menu next to the file type and choose your preferred drive.

How To Change Default Download Location on Mac

Change the Default Download Location in Firefox

Launch Firefox and click on its named menu(i.e., the Firefox pulldown menu) in the upper left-hand corner.
Select Preferences.
Under the General tab, at the label Save files to, click choose and select the folder you want your downloads to go to.
Again, the Always ask me where to save files radio button you see above will make Firefox ask you each time you initiate a download.

Change the Default Download Location in Chrome

Google made it a little bit harder to change the default downloads folder in the Chrome browser, but the steps start out the same as with the other two browsers.

FAQ

What is the default folder for Downloads?

By default, Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge save files in the %USERPROFILE%Downloads folder. USERPROFILE is a variable that points to the profile directory of the currently logged-in user on a Windows computer. For example, the path could be C:UsersYourUserNameDownloads.

How do I manage my Downloads folder?

Start > Downloads is a quick way to get there. Or, press Windows key + R, type %userprofile%/downloads, and hit Enter. This opens your Downloads folder in File Explorer on “This PC.” You can also add a link to Downloads to the Start menu.

How do I change the default download in Windows 11?

Use the Windows 11 keyboard shortcut to open File Explorer. Win+E, right-click on the Downloads folder in the quick access panel, and choose “Properties.” 2. Go to the “Location” tab and click “Move” to choose where to save all your new downloads.

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