[Solved] How to Change Where Downloaded Files are Saved

When you download files from browsers, documents, or gaming files, the Downloads folder is the default storage place which is on the C drive. Due to our system having a restricted storage capacity, it becomes problematic when the Downloads folder carries too many files. If you don't clean the Download folder, it might become one of the space killers on your C drive as time passes. Then your PC will become more sluggish, and your programs will frequently become stuck.

Can we relocate it even if it's a default folder on the C drive to save my computer? Or can we copy something from the Downloads folder to another drive?

Here are some recommendations to assist you.

How to change where downloaded files are saved in Windows

In this part, we’ll show you how to change the default download location in Windows, you can choose a proper method for your situation.

Way 1. Change default download location in File Explorer

In this method, we’ll move the Download from the C drive to the E drive.

Step 1. Open “This PC” and choose a drive you want to place the Downloads folder, like E drive. Please create a new folder to store the Downloads folder, you can name it whatever you like.

Step 2. Back to “This PC”, right-click the Downloads folder in the C drive, and choose “Properties”. If you can’t see the downloads folder in the main window of “This PC”, the path is C:\Users\username\​​​​​.

Step 3. In the properties window, click “Location” and select “Move”.

Step 4. In the “Select Destination” window, go to the folder you created earlier, select it, and click “Select Folder”.

Step 5. You can see the new location in the properties window, click “Apply” and “Ok” to save changes.

Step 6. There will be a popup window on the screen. Click “Yes”.

The Downloads folder will then be relocated to your new location. And by default, whatever you download will be put in this new place.

Way 2. Change default download location via Registry Editor

The Windows Registry Editor also allows you to change various settings on your computer which includes altering your Windows 10 PC's default download location. You need to change one registry setting, and your preferred folder will become the new default download location.

Step 1. Create a new folder that you want to use as the default downloads folder. It can be stored on any drive on your PC.

Step 2. Press “Win”+ “R” together, type “regedit” in the box, and click “OK”.

Step 3. In the Registry Editor window, go to the following path:

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

Step 4. On the right-hand side pane, you’ll see several registry values. Find the entry that has %USERPROFILE%\Downloads in its Data column and double-clicks it.

Step 5. Change the new storage path in the Value data box. Then click “OK” to save changes.

Then you need to reboot your computer.

Way 3. Change default download location with professional folder mover

The first two ways require users to manually change the storage path in File Explorer or Registry Editor. If these cumbersome steps bother you, you can turn to AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional to move the Download quickly and easily.

This software is a practical disk manager for Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7/XP PC whose “Move Folder” function can move the data files folder to another drive. It can automatically set all information to ensure a successful move. So you don’t need to worry about the directory problem. And after the move, you can also clean your PC via "Delete Large Files" to deeply clean PC.

Step 1. In the main window, click “Free up” in the top toolbar and select “APP Mover”.

Step 2. In the new window, click “Move Folder”.

Step 3. Select the Download folder, choose the location drive under the window, and click “Move”.

Step 4. In the warning window, click “OK” to confirm the move.

Step 5. Click “Finish” to over the task.

Then you need to reboot the PC.

Final lines

In this post, we’ve shown you how to change where Downloaded files are saved via File Explorer, Registry Editor, and AOMEI Partition Assistant. Which one is the best for you?

As a versatile Windows management tool, AOMEI Partition Assistant is a quite practical program. Besides moving folders, it tool can also move installed programs to help you release more free space on the C drive. You don’t need to reinstall and lose all data of your apps. And if you need, you can run the Server Edition on your Server to efficiently organize your Server.