Move Location of Downloads Folder in Windows 10  

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    Move Location of Downloads Folder in Windows 10

    Move Location of Downloads Folder in Windows 10

    How to Move Your Downloads Folder Location in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Customization
    03 Sep 2022
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Move Your Downloads Folder Location in Windows 10


    By default, Windows stores your personal Downloads folder in your account's %UserProfile% folder (ex: "C:\Users\Brink").

    In addition, most web browsers will save downloads to your Downloads folder by default.

    You can change where files in this Downloads folder are stored to another place on the hard drive, another drive, or another computer on the network.

    This tutorial will show you how to move the default location of your Downloads folder to where you want in Windows 10.

    It is highly recommended to create a system image backup first to make it easy to undo if you were to make a mistake in the steps below.


    For a Windows 11 version of this tutorial, see:

    Move or Restore Default Location of Downloads Folder in Windows 11




    Here's How:

    1 If you haven't already, you will need to create a new folder named Downloads at the location (ex: "E:" ) you want to move your personal Downloads folder to. (see screenshot below)

    Move Location of Downloads Folder in Windows 10-move_downloads_folder_location-1.png

    2 Open This PC in File Explorer (Win+E), right click on your Downloads folder, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)

    If you don't see the Downloads folder in This PC, then you can also click/tap on the icon in the address bar of File Explorer (Win+E), type shell:Downloads into the address bar, and press Enter to open your Downloads folder no matter where it may be located.

    You can then right click or press and hold on an empty area in your Downloads folder, and click/tap on Properties.

    Move Location of Downloads Folder in Windows 10-move_downloads_folder_location-2.png

    3 Click/tap on the Location tab, and click/tap on the Move button. (see screenshot below)

    Move Location of Downloads Folder in Windows 10-move_downloads_folder_location-3.png

    4 Browse to and select the Downloads folder at the location (ex: "E:\Downloads" ) from step 1, and click/tap on Select Folder. (see screenshot below)

    Move Location of Downloads Folder in Windows 10-move_downloads_folder_location-4.png

    5 Click/tap on OK to apply. (see screenshot below)

    Move Location of Downloads Folder in Windows 10-move_downloads_folder_location-5.png

    6 Click/tap on Yes to move all the files from the old location to the new location. (see screenshot below)

    Move Location of Downloads Folder in Windows 10-move_downloads_folder_location-6.png

    7 Your personal Downloads folder and all of its contents will now be moved to the new location (ex: "E:\Downloads" ). (see screenshot below)

    Move Location of Downloads Folder in Windows 10-move_downloads_folder_location-7.png


    That's it,
    Shawn






  1. Posts : 14
    Windows 10
       #1

    Thanks for the helpful tutorial. I had done this on my previous W7 machine and then on my new W10 machine fine. On the W10 machine I created a new partition drive, L, and moved my user folders inside a folder with my name (Ruekberg) on it in that location (left programs and OS on C). Worked great.

    However, today I realized the drive letter L would not work (already had L on an external backup drive). So using Computer Management, I changed the drive letter to K. Unfortunately, user folder icons in "Quick Access" and "This PC" do not work. I get an error message "L:\Ruekberg\Documents is unavailable." Same with all user folders.

    I tried changing the location of the user folders using the above method, but when I click "Apply" I get the error:

    "An error occured applying attributes to the file:
    L:\Ruekberg\Documents
    The system cannot find the path specified."

    Options are to ignore, try again, cancel. I cancelled.

    You're a genius, Brink, I know you will know a simple fix for this one! Thanks in advance.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hello druekberg, and welcome to Ten Forums. :)

    You'll need to change the drive letter of the external backup drive to another letter than "L" or "K" first.

    Next change the partition's drive letter from "K" back to "L" for Windows to be able to find the paths again.

    If the backup drive must stay as "L", then after the above, move your folder back to "C" temporarily, sort the drive letters how you want them, then move the folder to where you want it.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 14
    Windows 10
       #3

    Okay, that makes sense, and seems the simplest solution. Thanks for the lightning-fast reply!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    You're most welcome. Please let us know how it went.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 1
    Windows 10
       #5

    Brink, do you have an opinion on changing standard windows directories (Downloads, Pictures, etc.) to a OneDrive location? It would make my laptop migrations a lot easier for me but i'm concerned I will get lags and spotty performance due to contention of saving to a cloud folder.

    Thoughts?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #6

    I do that, it works well - merging documents pictures etc as per the tutorials. No lag at all and no muddle with where you saving.

    Do backup separately though in case you delete something by mistake as it will be replicated.

    I wouldn't save downloads to OneDrive personally as for me it's a temp folder but your use may be different.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #7

    danrod said:
    Brink, do you have an opinion on changing standard windows directories (Downloads, Pictures, etc.) to a OneDrive location? It would make my laptop migrations a lot easier for me but i'm concerned I will get lags and spotty performance due to contention of saving to a cloud folder.

    Thoughts?

    Hello Dan,

    You can move those folders to OneDrive using the method in this tutorial, and you could use this below for the Documents, Pictures, and Desktop folders instead.

    Turn On or Off Folder Protection with OneDrive in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 1
    Windows 10
       #8

    Maybe a silly question but do I have to empty the previous download folder on station C after migrating it to a new folder on another drive?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Gadart said:
    Maybe a silly question but do I have to empty the previous download folder on station C after migrating it to a new folder on another drive?

    Hello Gadart,

    As long as you do step 6, it would be up to you if you wanted to or not.
      My Computers


 

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