The Downloads folder on your computer is the default location to store downloaded content. The default location is in the C drive of the computer. Though the purpose of the folder is to temporarily hold the downloaded files till you move them to their permanent location, most people don’t move the files to another location.

Since the C drive is usually the installer drive, firstly, you should not fill the drive completely as that can slow down your PC. Secondly, in case anything goes wrong, you might have to factory reset the drive and you can lose all your personal files.

If you also forget to move the downloads to another location, you can simply change the default location of the downloads folder. This way, there will be no hassle of having to move the files after each download. Fortunately, changing the default location is very easy and there are a variety of ways that you can achieve that.

1. Change Download Folder Properties

First, open File Explorer by double-clicking on the ‘This PC’ icon. Otherwise, press the Windows+E keys on your keyboard.

After that, navigate to the directory where you wish to move the folder and right-click in the empty space. Next, hover over the ‘New’ option and select the ‘Folder’ option. Finally, rename it as ‘Downloads’.

Next, head to the main screen of the File Explorer, right-click on the ‘Downloads’ folder, and select the ‘Properties’ option.

Afterward, click on the ‘Location’ tab and then click on the ‘Move’ button. This will open a separate window on your screen.

From the separately opened window, navigate and select the ‘Downloads’ folder you created earlier in this section. Then, click on the ‘Select Folder’ button.

Afterward, on the ‘Properties’ window, click on the ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’ buttons to save the changes. And that’s it, you have successfully changed the default location of the Downloads folder.

You might receive a prompt to move all the existing files to the new location. Click on ‘Yes’ if you wish to do so, otherwise deny the action by clicking on the ‘No’ button.

In case you ever wish to change back to the default download directory, from the ‘Properties’ window, click on the ‘Restore Default’ button.

2. Change the Default Downloads Location for Microsoft Apps

Since the Microsoft Apps are handled by the Store itself, it has a different default download location. Fortunately, changing that isn’t a challenge either.

First, head to the Start Menu and click on the ‘Settings’ icon to proceed.

After that, ensure you have selected the ‘System’ tab from the left sidebar.

Then, click on the ‘Storage’ tile from the right.

Now, click on the ‘Advance storage settings’ to expand the option’ and then, click on the ‘Where new content is saved’ tile to continue.

After that, click on the dropdown menu under the ‘New apps will save to’ field and choose the drive you wish to save the apps in.

TIP: Change Download Directory from the Browser

In case you do not want to move the Downloads folder, you can also change the default downloads directory right on the browser.

To change the downloads directory for Microsoft Edge, launch the Edge browser on your computer and then click on the ‘Hamburger’ icon. Next, click on the ‘Settings’ option to proceed.

After that, click on the ‘Downloads’ option from the left sidebar.

Then, click on the ‘Change’ button in the right section. This will bring a new explorer window to your screen.

Afterward, select a folder using the File Explorer window and click on the ‘OK’ button.

That’s it, you have successfully changed the download directory for your browser.

You can also use the above method to change the downloads directory on Chrome, Firefox, and Brave browser as the process is similar.

That’s about it, people. Changing the default downloads directory is a simple and easy task on your Windows 11 computer.