This tutorial will show you how to change the downloads folder location for where to save by default in Microsoft Edge for your account or all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
The Microsoft Edge web browser is based on Chromium and was released on January 15, 2020. It is compatible with all supported versions of Windows, and macOS. With speed, performance, best in class compatibility for websites and extensions, and built-in privacy and security features.
Microsoft Edge downloads to your Downloads folder by default. If wanted, you can change the default downloads folder location in Microsoft Edge.
References:
Change the downloads folder location in Microsoft Edge - Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com
Microsoft Edge Privacy Whitepaper - Microsoft Edge Developer documentation
- Option One: Change Default Downloads Folder Location in Microsoft Edge for Current User from Settings
- Option Two: Change Default Downloads Folder Location in Microsoft Edge for All Users in Registry Editor
Change Default Downloads Folder Location in Microsoft Edge for Current User from Settings
1 Open Microsoft Edge.
2 Click/tap on the Setting and more (Alt+F) 3 dots button, and click/tap on Settings. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Downloads in the left pane. (see screenshot below step 4)
If you do not see a left pane, then either click/tap on the 3 bars menu button towards the top left OR widen the horizontal borders of the Microsoft Edge window until you do.
4 Click/tap on the Change button for Location. (see screenshot below)
You can see the current default downloads folder path under Location.
5 Perform the following actions: (see screenshot below)
- Navigate to and select the folder you want use for downloads by default.
- Click/tap on the Select Folder.
6 You can now close the Settings tab in Microsoft Edge if you like.
Change Default Downloads Folder Location in Microsoft Edge for All Users in Registry Editor
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
This option uses the DownloadDirectory policy for Microsoft Edge.
1 Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe).
2 Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor. (see screenshot below)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeIf you do not have an Edge key, then right click on the Microsoft key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type Edge for the name, and press Enter.
3 Do step 4 (change) or step 5 (undo - default) below for what you want.
This will override and gray out Option One.
This will also disable the Ask me what to do with each download setting for all users.
If you do not have a DownloadDirectory string value (REG_SZ) , then right click or press and hold on an empty area in the right pane of the Edge key, click/tap on New, click/tap on String Value, type DownloadDirectory for the name, and press Enter.
If the folder specified by the path doesn't exist, the download will trigger a prompt that asks the user where they want to save their download.
This is the default setting to allow using Option One.
This will also allow the Ask me what to do with each download setting to be turned on or off.
6 If Microsoft Edge is currently open, then close and reopen Microsoft Edge to apply.
7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
