If you have limited local drive space for your Windows installation, you could move your Downloads folder to an external drive to make space. Change Default Downloads Folder Location in Windows 11Ĭhanging the location of your Downloads folder allows you to isolate files from your Windows installation after you download them. For example, if you select a D: drive for new documents, it would be D:\Users\\Documents where is the PC’s username folder. For example, if you save new documents to an external drive and remove the drive, you’ll need to plug the drive back in to access them.Īlso, Windows will create a new username folder on the root of the selected drive.
Note that the drive needs to be connected to your PC for it to save and show up. After selecting the drive you want to use, make sure to click the Apply button to confirm.Īfter going through each item, it will appear on the drive you choose moving forward.To change the save location, click the dropdown next to each content item and pick a new drive-an external drive, for example. You’ll notice the items above are set to store on your local (C:) drive by default.The next page that opens will allow you to change the default save directories for various items, including new apps, new documents, new music, new photos and videos, new movies and TV shows, and offline maps.Next, click on Advanced storage settings to expand it and click Where new content is saved.
How to Change the Default Save Location in Windows 11 This guide will walk you through changing the default save location for documents, music, apps, photos and videos, new movies and TV, offline maps, and even the Downloads folder itself. Whatever the reason, you can change the default save location in Windows 11.