How to Change the Default Downloads Folder on Windows
To another location, such as a secondary drive.
If you want your downloads to go to a different location (for example, a secondary drive with more space) instead of the default folder.
- Right-click the "Downloads" folder (in File Explorer) → Properties.
- "Location" tab → "Move".
- Choose the new destination folder → Apply.
Windows will ask whether you want to move the current content to the new location — accept if you want to keep what you already downloaded in the same place as future downloads.
Tip: this changes where the browser's and other apps' automatic downloads go — but each browser also has its own downloads folder setting, which can override this if you have it set independently there.
Frequently asked questions
Does this also move my previous downloads?
Only if you accept when Windows asks you during the process — you can choose to move the existing content or leave it where it was.
Does this affect my browser's downloads folder?
Generally yes, but each browser has its own downloads folder setting that may be set independently — also check your browser's settings if you don't see the change reflected there.