General Change Default Save Locations for Libraries in Windows 11


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Libraries_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to change the default save locations for a library for your account in Windows 11.

Windows 7 introduced libraries, which provide users with a single, coherent view of their files even when those files are stored in different locations. Libraries can be configured and organized by a user and a library can contain folders that are found on the user's computer and also folders that have been shared over a network. Libraries present a simpler view of the underlying storage system because, to the user, the files and folders in a library are displayed in one single view location, no matter where they are actually physically stored.

In File Explorer, users interact with libraries in ways similar to how they would interact with other folders. Libraries are built upon the legacy known folders (such as Camera Roll, Documents, Music, Pictures, Saved Pictures, and Videos), and these known folders are automatically included in the default libraries and set as the default save location.

Each library has a default save location and public save location. Users can select a different save location. If the user removes the default save location from a library, the next location is automatically selected as the new default save location. If the library is empty of locations or if all included locations cannot be saved to, then the save operation fails.
  • Save_location.png The default save location for a library determines which included folder or drive an item will be stored to when you copy, move, or save it to the library, rather than a specific location within the library.
  • Public_save_location.png The default public save location for a library determines which included folder or drive an item will be stored to when users you set to share the library with copy, move, or save the item to the library.
References:


Contents

  • Option One: Set Default Save Location for a Library
  • Option Two: Set Default Public Save Location for a Library
  • Option Three: Add and Set Default Save Location for a Library in Settings


EXAMPLE: Default Libraries

Libraries.png





Option One

Set Default Save Location for a Library


1 Open Libraries in File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Perform one of the following actions: (see screenshots below)
  • Select the library (ex: "Pictures") you want to include a folder in, click/tap on the See more (3 dots) button on the command bar, and click/tap on Properties.
  • Right click or press and hold on the library (ex: "Pictures") you want to include a folder in, and click/tap on Properties.
library_save_location_properties-1.png
library_save_location_properties-2.png

3 Select the included folder or drive location you want, and click/tap on Set save location. (see screenshot below)

library_save_location_properties-5.png

4 Click/tap on OK to apply. (see screenshot below)

library_save_location_properties-6.png




Option Two

Set Default Public Save Location for a Library


1 Open Libraries in File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Perform one of the following actions: (see screenshots below)
  • Select the library (ex: "Pictures") you want to include a folder or drive in, click/tap on the See more (3 dots) button on the command bar, and click/tap on Properties.
  • Right click or press and hold on the library (ex: "Pictures") you want to include a folder or drive in, and click/tap on Properties.
library_save_location_properties-1.png
library_save_location_properties-2.png

3 Select the included folder or drive location you want, and click/tap on Set public save location. (see screenshot below)

library_save_location_properties-3.png

4 Click/tap on OK to apply. (see screenshot below)

library_save_location_properties-4.png




Option Three

Add and Set Default Save Location for a Library in Settings


1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Storage on the right side. (see screenshot below)


Where_new_content_is_saved-1.png

3 Click/tap on Advanced storage settings on the right side to expand it, and click/tap on Where new content is saved. (see screenshot below)


Where_new_content_is_saved-2.png

4 Select an available drive you want in the New documents will save to (Documents library), New music will save to (Music library), New photos and videos will save to (Pictures and CameraRoll library), and/or New Movies and TV will save to (Videos library) drop menu. (see screenshot below)

Where_new_content_is_saved-3.png

5 Click/tap on Apply to confirm. (see screenshot below)

Where_new_content_is_saved-4.png

6 A folder (ex: "Brink") with the same name as your C:\Users\(user-name) user profile folder will now automatically be created on the selected save location (ex: "Virtual Machine (D)") if it doesn't already exist, then a subfolder (ex: "Documents") for the selected folder (ex: "New documents will save to") will be created inside the main folder (ex: Brink) if it doesn't already exist. This path (ex: "D:\Brink\Documents") will be added and used as the new default save location for the library (ex: Documents library). (see screenshots below)

Where_new_content_is_saved-5.png
Where_new_content_is_saved-6.png

7 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

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@Brink - Shawn does this process replace the "Move Location" tutorials used in Windows 10 to move an entire library to another drive, like drive D?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version V22H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    i7-8700K
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus X Code - Z370
    Memory
    G.Skill Trident Z 3200MHz F4-3200C16D-16GTZ (2) 32GB
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    Intel UHD Graphics 630
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    WD Black 500GB (Data Copy Drive)
    ICY Dock 5.25 2.5/3.5 Bays MB971SP-B
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    Office 365,
    Wise Disk Cleaner,
    Crystal Disk Info,
    Screenpresso (Licensed),
    AnyDesk (Licensed),
@Brink - Shawn does this process replace the "Move Location" tutorials used in Windows 10 to move an entire library to another drive, like drive D?

Hello Ken, :-)

No. This is only to change the location where items are saved to when dropped or saved into a library.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Thanks. Do we have the Move Libraries tutorials on Elevenforum? I couldn't find but can just use the ones on TenForums.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version V22H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    i7-8700K
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus X Code - Z370
    Memory
    G.Skill Trident Z 3200MHz F4-3200C16D-16GTZ (2) 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated ROG SupremeFX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus VP279 27", Samsung BX2431 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung M.2 NVMe 960 EVO 500GB Boot,
    Samsung 840 EVO 250GB (System Copy Drive),
    Samsung 860 EVO 1TB (Primary Data Drive),
    WD Black 500GB (Data Copy Drive)
    ICY Dock 5.25 2.5/3.5 Bays MB971SP-B
    PSU
    Corsair RM 650i +Gold
    Case
    Phanteks Enthroo Primo
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H150i, 360mm Rad & Five Corsair 140mm Pro ML Case Fans
    Keyboard
    das Keyboard MX Brown Mechanical Switches Model DASKMKPROSIL-3G7-r1.0
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3 Wireless & Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    %00Mb +
    Browser
    Chrome (Pri), Firefox (Sec)
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium, SuperAntiSpyware Pro (Licensed)
    Other Info
    Microsoft LifeCam HD,
    APC Back-UPS Pro 1500,
    Macrium (Licensed),
    Office 365,
    Wise Disk Cleaner,
    Crystal Disk Info,
    Screenpresso (Licensed),
    AnyDesk (Licensed),
Thanks. Do we have the Move Libraries tutorials on Elevenforum? I couldn't find but can just use the ones on TenForums.

Did you mean for move the personal user folders instead?

Libraries don't actually have a location. It's just where you can see shortcuts of other folders and access their content from within Libraries.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version V22H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    i7-8700K
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus X Code - Z370
    Memory
    G.Skill Trident Z 3200MHz F4-3200C16D-16GTZ (2) 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated ROG SupremeFX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus VP279 27", Samsung BX2431 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung M.2 NVMe 960 EVO 500GB Boot,
    Samsung 840 EVO 250GB (System Copy Drive),
    Samsung 860 EVO 1TB (Primary Data Drive),
    WD Black 500GB (Data Copy Drive)
    ICY Dock 5.25 2.5/3.5 Bays MB971SP-B
    PSU
    Corsair RM 650i +Gold
    Case
    Phanteks Enthroo Primo
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H150i, 360mm Rad & Five Corsair 140mm Pro ML Case Fans
    Keyboard
    das Keyboard MX Brown Mechanical Switches Model DASKMKPROSIL-3G7-r1.0
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3 Wireless & Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    %00Mb +
    Browser
    Chrome (Pri), Firefox (Sec)
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium, SuperAntiSpyware Pro (Licensed)
    Other Info
    Microsoft LifeCam HD,
    APC Back-UPS Pro 1500,
    Macrium (Licensed),
    Office 365,
    Wise Disk Cleaner,
    Crystal Disk Info,
    Screenpresso (Licensed),
    AnyDesk (Licensed),

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Thanks Shawn. I see Navy did a thread with screen shots on EF.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version V22H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    i7-8700K
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus X Code - Z370
    Memory
    G.Skill Trident Z 3200MHz F4-3200C16D-16GTZ (2) 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated ROG SupremeFX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus VP279 27", Samsung BX2431 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung M.2 NVMe 960 EVO 500GB Boot,
    Samsung 840 EVO 250GB (System Copy Drive),
    Samsung 860 EVO 1TB (Primary Data Drive),
    WD Black 500GB (Data Copy Drive)
    ICY Dock 5.25 2.5/3.5 Bays MB971SP-B
    PSU
    Corsair RM 650i +Gold
    Case
    Phanteks Enthroo Primo
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H150i, 360mm Rad & Five Corsair 140mm Pro ML Case Fans
    Keyboard
    das Keyboard MX Brown Mechanical Switches Model DASKMKPROSIL-3G7-r1.0
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3 Wireless & Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    %00Mb +
    Browser
    Chrome (Pri), Firefox (Sec)
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium, SuperAntiSpyware Pro (Licensed)
    Other Info
    Microsoft LifeCam HD,
    APC Back-UPS Pro 1500,
    Macrium (Licensed),
    Office 365,
    Wise Disk Cleaner,
    Crystal Disk Info,
    Screenpresso (Licensed),
    AnyDesk (Licensed),
Tutorial updated to add option 3. :-)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Thanks Shawn
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version V22H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    i7-8700K
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus X Code - Z370
    Memory
    G.Skill Trident Z 3200MHz F4-3200C16D-16GTZ (2) 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated ROG SupremeFX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus VP279 27", Samsung BX2431 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung M.2 NVMe 960 EVO 500GB Boot,
    Samsung 840 EVO 250GB (System Copy Drive),
    Samsung 860 EVO 1TB (Primary Data Drive),
    WD Black 500GB (Data Copy Drive)
    ICY Dock 5.25 2.5/3.5 Bays MB971SP-B
    PSU
    Corsair RM 650i +Gold
    Case
    Phanteks Enthroo Primo
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H150i, 360mm Rad & Five Corsair 140mm Pro ML Case Fans
    Keyboard
    das Keyboard MX Brown Mechanical Switches Model DASKMKPROSIL-3G7-r1.0
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3 Wireless & Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    %00Mb +
    Browser
    Chrome (Pri), Firefox (Sec)
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium, SuperAntiSpyware Pro (Licensed)
    Other Info
    Microsoft LifeCam HD,
    APC Back-UPS Pro 1500,
    Macrium (Licensed),
    Office 365,
    Wise Disk Cleaner,
    Crystal Disk Info,
    Screenpresso (Licensed),
    AnyDesk (Licensed),

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