How to Change the Default Download Location in Any Web Browser

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Get files to download to the folders you want

Co-authored by Travis Boylls Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: April 15, 2025 Fact Checked

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Windows File Explorer

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Google Chrome

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Safari

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Microsoft Edge

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Firefox

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Mac Mail

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On both PC and Mac, files are downloaded to the Downloads folder by default. However, you may want to change the default location to a different drive to save storage space, keep your files organized, or access files on multiple devices. You can change the default download location on Windows, Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox, and even Mac Mail easily. Read on to learn how to change where downloads go on your computer.

Changing the Default Download Location: Quick Steps

Chrome: Click ⋮ and go to Settings > Downloads > Change. Select a new location.
Safari: Click the Safari menu and go to Settings, > General. Click the drop-down menu, select Other, and choose a location.
Edge: Go to ⋯ > Downloads > ⋯ > Download settings > Change and select a location.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Using File Explorer on Windows

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1
Press ⊞ Win+E to open File Explorer
. You can change the default download location for all your Windows programs here.
- You can also open File Explorer by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting File Explorer.
You can find the Downloads folder in the Quick Access menu in the menu bar on the left.

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The Location tab is at the top of the Properties menu.
It's the middle button below the bar that contains the path to the Downloads folder.
Click the folder to select it, and then click Select Folder in the bottom-right corner.
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Click Apply. This sets the folder as the default location for all your downloaded files.
- If prompted, click Yes to confirm the new location.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

Using Google Chrome

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It's the button with three dots in the upper-right corner. You can change the download location for Chrome in the Settings menu.
It's near the bottom of the menu. This opens the Settings menu in a new tab.
It's near the bottom of the menu on the left side.
It's next to the bar that says "Location."
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Select the folder you want to use as your default download location. Click the folder to select it, then click Select Folder in the bottom-right corner. This changes the default download location for the files you download in Chrome.
- Alternatively, click the toggle switch next to "Ask where to save each file before downloading." This will prompt you to select a location and a file name every time you download a file using Google Chrome.^{[1]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Using Safari on Mac

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You'll see the Safari menu at the top of the screen when Safari is open.
It's the tab with an icon resembling a gear at the top of the Settings menu.
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Select Other from the drop-down menu next to "File download location." This allows you to select a different location for the files you download using Safari.
- Alternatively, you can click Ask for each download." This will prompt you to select a download location each time you download a file using Safari.
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Select the folder you want to use as your download location. Click the folder to select it, then click Select in the lower-right corner. This changes the default download location for the files you download using Safari.^{[2]
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- You can also click New Folder to create a new folder for your downloads.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Using Edge

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This displays your downloads list at the top of the page.
This icon is the three dots in the upper-right corner of the Downloads window. This displays a separate menu for your downloads.
It's next to an icon that resembles a gear in the Downloads menu.
5
Select the folder you want to use as your default download location. Navigate to the folder to which you want to save your files. Click the folder to select it, then click Select Folder in the bottom-right corner. This changes the default Download location for the files you download using Microsoft Edge.^{[3]
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Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

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- Alternatively, click the toggle switch next to "Ask me what to do with each download." This will prompt you to select a download location and give the file a file name each time you download a file with Microsoft Edge.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Using Firefox

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It's near the bottom of the menu.
It's in the "Files and Applications" section below the "Downloads" header.
3
Select the folder you want to use as your default download location. Navigate to the folder to which you want to save your files. Click the folder to select it, then click Select Folder in the bottom-right corner. This changes the default download location for the files you download using Firefox.
- Alternatively, you can click the checkbox next to "Always ask you where to save files." This will prompt you to select where you want to download a file and give it a file name every time you want to download a file.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Using Mail on Mac

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The Mail menu appears in the menu bar when the Mail app is open.
It's the tab with an icon resembling a gear at the top of the Settings menu.
This displays a menu.
This allows you to select a different folder for the files and attachments you download using Mail.
Navigate to the folder to which you want to download your files. Click the folder to select it and then click Select in the lower-right corner. This changes the default download location for the files you download using Mail.^{[4]
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