Want to use a custom folder for Chrome downloads? Here is how to change the Chrome download location in Windows operating system.
There is no other browser as dominant and powerful as the Google Chrome browser for web browsing in the Windows operating system. One of the best things about Chrome is its support for a wide range of extensions and integration with the Google account. That is one of the reasons why Chrome is one of the most popular browsers out there with over 50% browser market share.
As with any operating system, Windows too has a default Downloads folder. Anything you download in Windows is automatically saved to that folder. Chrome is no different. It uses the OS Downloads folder as its default download location. Whenever you download something in the Google Chrome web browser, it automatically saves it to the default Downloads folder. This makes it easy to find the downloaded files.
However, not everyone likes to use the default Downloads folder. There may be any number of reasons for changing Chrome download location. These reasons include but are not limited to wanting to separate browser downloads, backup Chrome downloads, monitor Chrome download folder with antivirus, etc.
No matter the reason, if you ever want to, you can easily change the Chrome download location with just a few clicks. All you have to do is find the download option and add the new folder.
So, let me show you how to change the Chrome download location in Windows without further delay.
Jump to:
Chrome default download location
Now, you might be wondering where my downloads on Chrome are?
By default, Chrome users the Windows Downloads folder as the default location. Anything you download in Chrome is automatically saved to the default Downloads folder.
To open the default Chrome download folder, launch the File Explorer and go to the “C:\Users\<username>\Downloads” location.
Change Chrome download location
To change the Chrome download location, we need to open the Chrome Download settings and modify it from there. Here is how to do it in simple steps.
- Open the Chrome browser.
- Click on the “Menu” icon (three vertical dots) to the top bar.
- Select the “Settings” option.
- Click on “Advanced” on the sidebar.
- Select the “Downloads” option.
- Press the “Change” button next to “Location.”
- Select the folder you want to set as Downloads.
- Click the “Select Folder” button.
- Chrome will set it as the new download location.
- With that, you have changed the Chrome download folder.
Detailed steps with screenshots and a bit more info:
First, we need to open the Google Chrome browser. To do that, either click on the pinned Chrome icon on the taskbar or open the start menu, search for “Google Chrome,” and then click on the result to open it. You can also use the “chrome” Run command.
In the Chrome window, click on the “Menu” (three vertical dots) icon and select the “Settings” option. This action will open the Chrome settings page.
After opening the Settings page, click the “Advanced” option on the sidebar to expand it. Next, click the “Downloads” option. This open will open the Download settings page in the Chrome browser. You can get to this same page by typing “chrome://settings/downloads” in the address bar and pressing Enter. Here, click the “Change” button in the Location section.
Now, select the folder of your choice and click the “Select Folder” button.
As soon as you do that, Chrome changes the download location. You can see the new download location under the “Location” section on the Download settings page.
If you want Google Chrome to ask you where to save the file each time, turn on the “Ask where to save each file before downloading” option.
That is all. It is that simple to change the Chrome download location.
I hope this easy how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.
