If the Downloads folder is eating away at your C drive space, here are the steps to move the downloads folder in Windows 11 & 10.
An average internet user downloads a lot of stuff, be it software programs, media files, games, documents, etc. Whenever you download something in Windows, it is automatically saved to the Downloads folder. This is convenient as it keeps all your downloaded files in one central location. The default location for your Download folder is: “C:\Users\YourUsername\Downloads” (replace “YourUsername” with your Windows user name).
As you download files, the downloads folder gets crowded and takes up valuable disk space on the C drive. This is especially true if you don’t regularly clean up the downloads folder. Filling up the C drive limits the number of applications you can install and might even show a low disk space warning. Additionally, when you cannot boot into Windows or reinstall it, you might lose all the files in the Downloads folder.
To avoid that, you can move the downloads folder to another drive in Windows. That way, you can avoid filling up the C drive with random downloads and save space. This guide will show you the steps to move the Downloads folder to another drive in both Windows 11 and Windows 10, helping you free up space on your C: drive. Let’s get started.
Before You Start
- The steps below have been tested to work on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
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Move Downloads Folder to Another Drive
- Open the File Explorer by pressing the “Windows key + E” shortcut.
- Go to the folder/drive where you want to have the downloads folder.
- Right-click and select “New” > “Folder“.
- Name the new folder as “Downloads“.
- Next, right-click the original “Downloads” folder on the left sidebar.
- Select the “Properties” option.
- Go to the “Location” tab and click the “Move” button.
- Browse and select the newly created downloads folder.
- Click the “Select Folder” button.
- Click “OK“.
- Click “Yes“.
- With that, you’ve moved the Downloads folder to the new location.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
First, we need to create a new Downloads folder before moving the original one. To do that, open the File Explorer by pressing the “Windows key + E” shortcut.
Next, go to the folder or drive where you want to have your new Downloads folder, right-click, and select “New” > “Folder“. Name the folder as “Downloads”. In my case, I created the Downloads folder in the root of the E:\ drive.
Note: You can set any name of your choice as the folder name.
Once you’ve created the new Downloads folder, we can move the original Downloads folder to the new one. To do that, right-click on the original Downloads folder on the left panel under the Quick Access section and select “Properties“.
Note: If you can’t find the Downloads folder under Quick Access, you can find it in your home directory, C:\Users\<username>\. Replace <username> with your actual Windows username. Once replaced, it looks something like C:\Users\Vamsi\.
In the properties window, go to the “Location” tab and click the “Move” button.
In the “Select a Destination” window, go to the folder you created earlier, select it, and click on the “Select Folder” button.
The new location will be added to the properties window. Click “OK” to save the change.
In the “Move Folder” confirmation prompt, click “Yes“. This action moves all the files in your old Downloads folder to the new Downloads folder.
As soon as you click on the button, the Downloads folder is moved to the new location. From now on, this is your new default Downloads folder. That means anything you download will be automatically saved to this new folder. Additionally, you can access the new downloads folder from your home folder or by clicking on the “Downloads” link under the “Quick Access” section in the File Explorer.
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Benefits of Moving the Downloads Folder to a New Location
There are many benefits to moving the downloads folder to another drive. Here are some of them:
- As the downloaded files are NOT saved to the same partition as your OS, you will have more space in the C drive.
- Ability to access downloaded files even when you are dual-booting.
- The downloaded files will be safe even when you reinstall Windows.
- The downloaded files can be accessed even when you cannot boot into Windows.
Wrapping Up — Moving Downloads Folder
As you can see, using the built-in “Move” feature, you can easily move the Downloads folder to another drive with just a couple of clicks. While moving, don’t forget to move all the files in the old Downloads folder to the new one by clicking “Yes” in the “Move Folder” dialog. If your C drive space is low even after moving the Downloads folder, use the PC Manager to clean up and free up space.
If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist.
Thank you! I have been wanting to move this folder to another drive for so long. Great step-by-step article. Very easy, and it worked perfectly!
This was useful, since my C: is the SSD (not a lot of space).
I’ll think I’ll remember this simple technique from now on, less headaches.
Thank you.
I did everything, and when I try to download something it automatically creates a new Downloads folder in the original, smaller drive and downloads it to there. I have no clue what to do.
You’re the best indeed, you solved my biggest problem.
Thank you … at last my Drive C bar has turned blue from aggressive red!
Lovely clear instructions.
After moving successfully my original downloads folder to another drive in win10 I lost the ability to use the
downloads function in my laptop if the drive is not plugged in. Appreciate any advice and help?
Thanks,
Paul
> If the drive is not plugged in
Did you move the Downloads folder to an external drive? If that’s the case, there is no way Windows/program can access a drive that is not plugged in.
Hi, after selecting properties>location>move the directory dialog window closes and I cannot complete the operation? I am on a Windows 10 PC
That might be a glitch in flie explorer. Try restarting the system and then moving the folder.
Hi. I have a related question/problem. I’m adding a 2nd SSD drive to a windows 10 pro computer. I only want to download several certain programs that I’m buying to my 2nd drive. All other normal downloads I’ll want to go to my original SSD that’s already in the computer. Reading up on it, I thought I was going to change the download location in Firefox, and then under “settings -system- change the ” new documents will save to ” from “this PC (C:)” to “Storage (D:)” setting. ( or what ever letter windows sets up for the new SSD after windows initializes it. So the question is, would I need to add a “download folder” to my 2nd SSD drive also ?? ( not moving the original one on the 1st SSD ) Any other tips on this process would be greatly appreciated. Thanks fir your time.
This is about the third explanation for this that doesn’t work for the same reason. under the properties for downloads there is no location icon. This has been for me a great issue as C drive is now full and I can’t function as it is only 128GB ssd and windows updates and programs have filled. It, just hate windows ten, never had any of these issues with xp, could do it all myself. Any help would be appreciated.
It should have a Location tab. Can you share a screenshot of the Downloads folder properties window? It helps know more about the issue.
I did the same method but now both C and D has downloads folder. Should I delete downloads from C now?
Yes, you can delete the old downloads folder. To be on the safe side, make sure to backup all the important files before deleting them.
I originally moved the downloaders folder from C: to an external drive. Now I bought an NVMe drive and using it in my PC so I need to move my Downloads folder to my new NVMe drive. When I look at properties on my download folder, location is indicates the external drive, but no option to move it.