Where your downloads go right now, and how to move them

When you download a file from the internet, your browser saves it to a default folder — usually called Downloads. You can change this folder to anywhere on your computer: a specific project folder, an external drive, your Desktop, or a cloud storage folder like OneDrive or Google Drive. The steps differ slightly between Windows, Mac, and Linux, but the principle is the same: you tell your browser where to put files instead of letting it choose.

Most people never change this setting and end up with a Downloads folder full of hundreds of files they forgot about. Moving downloads to a specific folder for active work keeps your computer organized and makes files easier to find later.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your download location in your browser settings, not in Windows or Mac system settings — each browser has its own download folder.
  • You can set downloads to go to any folder on your computer, including Desktop, Documents, a project folder, or an external drive.
  • If you choose a folder that does not exist yet, you must create it first before your browser will accept it.
  • Changing your download folder does not move files you already downloaded — only new downloads will go to the new location.

How to change downloads in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Downloads. You will see a section that says "Location" with a folder path and a Change button next to it.

Click Change. A window will open showing your computer's folders. Navigate to the folder where you want downloads to go. If you want to create a new folder first, right-click in the window and select New Folder, name it, then select it. Once you have chosen your folder, click Select Folder at the bottom. Chrome will now download all files to that location.

If you want Chrome to ask you where to save each file instead of automatically saving to one folder, turn on the toggle next to "Ask where to save each file before downloading." This is useful if you download files to many different places.

How to change downloads in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right. Click Settings. On the left, click Files. Under "Downloads," you will see your current download folder and a Browse button.

Click Browse to open a folder window. Navigate to where you want downloads to go, select that folder, and click Open. Firefox will save all future downloads there. You can also turn on "Always ask you where to save files" if you prefer to choose a location each time you download something.

How to change downloads in Safari (Mac)

Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the General tab. Look for the section labeled "File download location." It will show your current download folder with a button next to it.

Click the button to open a folder window. Navigate to the folder where you want downloads to go and click Select. Safari will now download files to that location. If you want Safari to ask you each time, select "Ask for each download" from the dropdown menu instead.

How to change downloads in Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Downloads. You will see your current download location with a Change button next to it.

Click Change. A folder window will open. Navigate to the folder you want to use for downloads and click Select Folder. Edge will save all future downloads there. You can also turn on "Ask me what to do with each download" if you want to choose a location for each file.

Creating a new folder for downloads before you change the setting

If you want downloads to go to a folder that does not exist yet — for example, a folder called "Work Projects" or "2024 Downloads" — you need to create it first. Open your file manager (File Explorer on Windows, Finder on Mac, or your file manager on Linux). Navigate to where you want the new folder to be, right-click in the empty space, and select New Folder. Type a name for the folder and press Enter.

Once the folder exists, go back to your browser settings and follow the steps above to point your downloads to that new folder. Browsers will not create folders for you — they will only save to folders that already exist.

Moving files you already downloaded to the new location

Changing your download folder only affects new downloads. Files you already downloaded will stay in your old Downloads folder. To move them, open your file manager and navigate to your old Downloads folder. Select the files you want to move, cut them (Ctrl+X on Windows, Cmd+X on Mac), navigate to your new download folder, and paste them (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V).

If you have hundreds of files in your old Downloads folder and want to move all of them at once, select all files by pressing Ctrl+A (or Cmd+A on Mac), then cut and paste them to the new location. Be careful not to delete the old Downloads folder itself — your browser may need it to exist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set downloads to go to an external drive or USB stick?

Yes, but only if the drive is connected to your computer. Navigate to the external drive in the folder window when you are choosing your download location. Keep in mind that if you unplug the drive, your browser will not be able to download files until you plug it back in or change the setting again.

What happens if I delete the download folder after I set it?

Your browser will stop being able to save downloads there. You will get an error message when you try to download a file. Go back to your browser settings and choose a different folder, or recreate the folder with the same name in the same location.

Can I set different download folders for different browsers?

Yes. Each browser has its own settings, so Chrome can download to one folder while Firefox downloads to another. This is useful if you want to keep work downloads separate from personal downloads.

Will changing my download folder affect files I upload to websites?

No. Your download folder only controls where files come from the internet go on your computer. Uploading files to websites uses a different system and is not affected by this setting.

Can I set downloads to go to OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox?

Yes, if those folders are synced to your computer. Navigate to the synced folder on your computer when you choose your download location. Files will download there and automatically sync to the cloud, but this can slow down your computer if you download large files frequently.