The default download path on Windows systems is quite convenient for most users, but what happens when we want or need to change this location at the system level?
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Normally the “Downloads” folder is located on the C: drive, inside the user folder. If you have a huge startup drive or regularly clean up old, unused downloads, this location is probably fine. However, if you don’t want this download path, you may want to move the folder to a different location.
First, create the folder that will become the new Downloads folder. Open File Explorer and navigate to the location you want it to be. Then, right-click on the empty space, hover over “New” and select “Folder.” You can name the folder whatever you want, but you’ll probably want to keep the same name.
Next, take a look at the left side of File Explorer and locate the “Downloads” folder. Right-click on it and click “Properties.”
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Select the “Location” tab and then click “Move”.
Navigate to the folder you want, click on it, and then press “Select Folder“.
The selection window will close and you will return to the “Download Properties” window. Click “Apply”.
If you have files in your current Downloads folder, you'll get a message asking if you want to move all the files from the old location to the new one. Whether or not you do this is entirely up to you and what you want.
Download folders can be tens or even hundreds of gigabytes in size, so the transfer will take a few minutes. When it's complete, click “OK” and then click the “X” in the upper-right corner of the Download Properties window.
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Many Windows applications , including popular web browsers like Google Chrome , use your system's Downloads folder by default . However, it's also often possible to change the Downloads folder for individual applications. If an individual application isn't saving files to this folder after you move it, check that application's settings
