Each copy of Windows includes several default folders and libraries, for each registered user. There are also default download locations for files such as the Screenshots and Downloads folder. However, these locations are not set in stone and it is possible to change the default downloads folder path in Windows 10.
The default Downloads folder is where apps normally saved downloaded files. Choosing another location for saving files is not the same to choosing another default downloads folder path. Here’s how it can be done.
How to change the default downloads folder path in Windows 10
Open File Explorer and click on This PC to expand the folder tree. Right-click on the Downloads folder in the navigation column and select Properties from the context menu. Click on the Location tab.
Now click on the “Move” option and choose another folder to be used as the default downloads folder then click “Apply” to save the changes.
You will be prompted to move the existing files from the current Downloads folder to the new one. If you choose “No” the default downloads folder will be changed, but the previously downloaded files will remain in the old location. If you click “Yes” all the files will be moved to the new downloads folder. You can select whichever option suits your needs.
Once you change the default downloads folder in Windows 10, all the apps that were saving files to the old default location will store them to the new folder. However, if you set a specific app to save files to another folder such as the Desktop, it will keep saving files to that location.
If you ever want to go back to the old default location open File Explorer, right-click Downloads, select Properties and go to the Location tab. You will notice there is a button called “Restore Default” under the location field. Simply click on it and Windows will start using the Downloads folder as the default location for saving downloaded items.
