This post shows students and new users the steps to change the default download location in Windows 11. By default, Windows creates a Downloads folder in each user’s profile. This is the default location that will be used when downloading files, pictures, and other data in Windows 11.
Windows also allows users to move the Downloads folder to any location they want, including the desktop. If your primary partition is running out of space and you normally download large files, you may want to change the Downloads location to a partition on a larger drive.
Although Windows 11 is new, changing user folders, including the Downloads folder, is not new. This should work on Windows 10 too, however Windows 11 looks a bit different and the steps may vary a bit.
Next, we will show you how to change your Downloads folder to any location you want so that you can download files directly to where you want.
To start changing the default Downloads location in Windows 11, follow the steps below.
How do I change the Downloads folder in Windows 11
As mentioned above, one can move or change the location of Downloads in Windows 11 to any location you want, including Desktiop.
To do that, follow the steps below.
The easiest way to change the default download location in Windows 11 is to use the Move command inside the download folder Properties menu.
First, select the File Browser folder icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
Once File Explorer opens, right-click or tap and hold the downloads folder and select Properties from its pop-up menu.
When the Properties window opens, select the Location tab, then select the Move button.
For this post, we are going to move the Downloads folder to our desktop. We create a folder called downloads about him Desk.
Next, navigate through File Explorer to choose your preferred download location, then click Select the folder.
Once you choose a location, select okay. You will receive a message similar to the following asking if you want to move all files from the old location to the new one.
Click Yes to apply the changes.
After that, any files you download from the internet will be automatically saved to the Downloads folder on your desktop.
That is all!
Conclusion:
In this tutorial we have seen how to move the default Downloads folder in Windows 11. If you find any errors above or have something to add, use the comment form below.
