La downloading files on windows it is a fundamental part of the interaction of our computer with the outside world. If you want to change the default location of downloads in Windows, you can do it from the system itself in both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
We tell you step by step how to select and customize our folder for downloads. Once this configuration is complete, the files will be automatically deposited and you will always be able to consult them in the same place. This procedure can be carried out as many times as we want, so there will be no excuses for having files mixed and scattered in different locations.
How to change the default location for downloads in Windows 11
Among the configuration alternatives available in Windows 10 and Windows 11, we find the destination folder for our downloads. You can change the download location to organize your files, or store them temporarily and then move them to another drive with more available space. Whatever the reason, the process has a few very simple steps:
- Open File Explorer (shortcut Win + E).
- Select the Downloads folder and right click.
- We open the Properties option.
- In the Location tab, we press the Move button and choose the new path for downloads.
- From the file picker interface, go to the new downloads folder and click on Select folder.
- Windows asks to move all downloaded files to this new folder.
- If we regret the decision, we can press the Restore default button and Username>\Downloads will be reconfigured as the destination folder for each photo or file that we download from the Internet or other media.
Download location in Windows 10
The option to change the downloads folder in Windows 10 is the same as in Windows 11. The operating system shares with its newer version, some of the menus and commands through dropdowns. Also, changing the location of the downloads in Windows also share the automatic restore option from the default options.
It is important to remember that a personalized folder can help us better organize, and in less time, each file or download that we make. In addition to manual Windows downloads, there are other files that are downloaded and we can customize, such as applications through the Microsoft Store, or screenshots.
Change download location in the Windows Microsoft Store
La Microsoft Store app store It is another of the spaces where we can modify the destination folder. Numerous applications are downloaded from this store, and in addition to the installation we can also download the executable files. As for the reasons for configuring a folder change, we are faced with the same situation. We will be able to better organize our apps and transfer executables and important files to another storage unit without having files scattered all over the computer. The steps to set up a new folder in Microsoft Store are:
- Open the Configuration section using the shortcut WIn +I.
- We select the Storage option.
- From Storage Management we open Advanced Storage Settings and New Content Storage Location.
- In the section that says The new applications will be saved in, click and choose the new folder where the different executables will be downloaded.
Destination folder for screenshots
All the screenshots are a very widespread type of image, which allows instantly capture what we're seeing. To make a more orderly follow-up of these captures, it is important to know where they are stored. By default, Windows saves these images to C:\Users\Username\Pictures\Screenshots. If you want to customize this folder, follow these steps:
- From the Folder Explorer we go to Images.
- We right click on the Screenshots folder and open the folder properties.
- In the Location tab, press Move and choose a new destination folder.
- In the file selector we go to the new folder and press Select folder.
- We confirm the order with the Apply button and then Accept.
- Windows will ask us to move all the captures from the old folder, it is an optional step.
- To recover the original folder we only have to click on the Restore default option.
Conclusions
When we think change location for downloads in windows, is mainly for practical purposes. Either because the Downloads folder is full and we haven't done a previous ordering, or because we want an alternative folder to later transfer the content to another unit.
Whatever the reason, the important thing is that the procedure is not difficult. And even if we later regret it, we can reconfigure a destination folder as many times as we want, or directly restore the default values. The Windows operating system is very versatile and comfortable in this regard. Aiming to provide fast and simple customization options, intuitive navigation and large storage capacities.