Windows allows you to divide and manage your memory easily. However, all apps, documents, media, and other files that you download or create are saved in a specific default download location. But if you are running low on storage space on a particular drive or partition, changing the default download location on Windows 11 can save you the headache of moving or deleting any files.
In this post, we will share the necessary steps to change the default download location on Windows 11 for different file types. So without further ado, let’s get straight to it.
Change the default download location for apps, documents, and media
By default, Windows 11 stores all downloads – apps, documents, media and other important files to the local drive. Over time, my main storage runs out of space or you want to store specific files in a different drive. Then changing their default download location is a good idea. Here’s how you do it.
Step 1: Click the Start button to open the menu. Click the Settings app icon (the cog icon) to launch it. Alternatively, you can also press Windows key + I to achieve the same thing.
Step 2: On the System tab, select Storage on the right pane.
Step 3: In the Storage Management section, click the down arrow next to ‘Advanced storage settings’ to expand it.
Step 4: Select ‘Where to save new content.’
Step 5: You’ll find the current download locations for your offline apps, documents, music, photos, videos, and maps. To change the default download location for a file type, use the drop-down menu and select a different drive.
Step 6: Finally, click Apply to save the changes.
Similarly, you can repeat the steps above to change the default download location for specific file types. Windows will automatically create new folders inside the selected drive as you make changes. For example, if you change the default download location for Microsoft Store apps, Windows will create a Windows Applications and Program Files folder in your new drive.
It’s important to know that although you can specify different drives for different types of files, you cannot define a specific folder for them.
How to move the download folder to another drive
By default, Windows saves files you download from the internet in the Downloads folder. Usually, it’s in the drive where you installed Windows. You can easily move the Downloads folder to another drive. This is the way.
Step 1: Click the search icon on the Taskbar or press the Windows + S key combination to open the Search menu. Type data management program in the search box and select the first result that appears.
Alternatively, you can also press Windows key + E to launch File Explorer quickly.
Step 2: Navigate to the drive or preferred folder location where you want to save your downloads.
Step 3: Click New in the top left corner and select Folder from the list. Give your folder an appropriate name.
Step 4: Use the left pane to navigate to This PC. Right click on the Downloads folder and select Properties.
Step 5: In the Download Properties window, go to the Location tab and click Move.
Step 6: Next, navigate to the newly created folder. Click Select folder.
Step 7: Click Apply to save the changes.
When you do that, a prompt will appear. Windows will ask if you want to move your existing files in the Downloads folder to a new location. When you select Yes, the transfer will begin. It may take a while depending on the size of the folder.
You can always move the Downloads folder to its original location later. To do so, open the properties of the Downloads folder and click Restore Defaults in the Location tab before pressing Apply.
While we’re only talking about Windows 11, you can follow the same steps on older versions of Windows to move the location of the Downloads folder. Alternatively, you can also change the default download location for Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or any other browser you may be using by going to that browser’s settings menu.
Manage your downloads
It’s convenient that Windows 11 allows you to change the default download location for various file types with just a few simple steps. This makes it easy to manage storage space and keeps your main drive clutter-free with unnecessary files.
Running out of storage space? Read our guide to delete unwanted cache files on Windows PC to reclaim valuable storage space.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
