How to change file path from C drive (OS) to D drive (storage)

ally · 01 Jul 2018

I have just bought a dell inspiron operating with windows 10.
The default settings were to save files to the C drive which was home to apps, general settings etc.
I want to be able to save all my files, photos, music etc to the D drive which is 1TB of storage.
I have tried to do this but been unsuccessful and now things are saving all over the place and my quick access links aren't working properly either.

Is there a way of restoring how files are stored to factory settings without having to restore the whole computer?

spunk · 01 Jul 2018

What is the Browser you are using? (ie) Edge, Firefox, Chrome etc? Under Tools/Advanced/Downloads you can choose to have Windows ask where you would like to Save your Downloads each time.
If you want to change your User files to the D: drive, follow these suggestions: Move your libraries to a second drive or partition | PCWorld

Bree · 01 Jul 2018

spunk said:

If you want to change your User files to the D: drive, follow these suggestions...

Kari has written an extensive TenForums tutorial on that...

Move Users Folder Location in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

dalchina · 02 Jul 2018

Hi, as you've not indicated what is doing the saving, or what changes to made that led to this problem, we can only begin to guess.

However I agree entirely with the idea of not putting personal data on C:

For example, are you talking about saving downloaded files from your browser?
Have you relocated any of your folders using the Location tab?

If your default folders (Documents, Music etc) are not where you expect them now see
Restore Default Location of Personal Folders in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

or maybe you've a problem saving to library folders:

Set Save Location for Library in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

Note that you can:
- create your own libraries
- add folders to existing libraries
- relocate user folders (although sometimes people get into significant difficulties doing this).

Other possibly relevant tutorials:
Change Storage Save Locations in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
Change Save Location for New Apps in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
Documents Folder - Move Location in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
(More tutorials on other folders)

DeaconFrost · 03 Jul 2018

I do the very same on my home tower, but I don't reconfigure anything. Just save the files you want to the folders you create on the D drive. Most applications I've used remember where you've saved the files and default to that location when you click Open or Save. Never saw the point of needing to reconfigure settings.

dalchina · 03 Jul 2018

.. which is actually what I do too. That's fine if you're the only user of the PC, but if you want 'privacy' - i.e. documents in your account can't be viewed by others, it's not.

Thus for example I have
E:\My files and folders
E:\Downloads
H:\Music

etc

A benefit of not using the default library folders is that my files and folders are not mixed up with folders created as workspace by installed programs. Thus to me Documents is 'Their Documents' - the programs' documents.

DeaconFrost · 06 Jul 2018

That's the first time I've had someone give me a legit reason for doing so. I'm always the only user on a system, so I wouldn't have encountered that. Thanks!