This tutorial will show you how to change where new apps from the Microsoft Store will save to for your account in Windows 11.
In Windows 11, you can select where new apps from the Microsoft Store will install and save data to by default instead of on the default Windows "Local Disk (C)" drive location. This can be handy if you do not have much free space on the Windows drive, or just prefer to save new apps to a different location.
You can select to install new apps to any internal or external NTFS drive, including SD cards and USB drives.
Windows 11 will only install new apps to the currently selected location. Existing apps will not get moved to the new location.
If you disconnect the drive you selected to install new apps to, then any app installed to that drive will no longer work until the drive is connected again.
If you disconnect the drive you selected to install new apps to, then Windows will install new apps to the Windows "Local Disk (C)" drive until the selected drive is connected again. Any new apps installed to the Windows "Local Disk (C)" drive during this time will remain on the Windows "Local Disk (C)" drive, and will not be moved to the other location.
Window will create the selected folders below on the root of the drive you selected to install new apps to. When a new app from the Microsoft Store is installed to the selected location, Windows 11 will create a WindowsApps folder at that location.
Here's How:
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)
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)
4 Select an available drive you want in the New apps will save to drop menu. (see screenshot below)
5 Click/tap on Apply to confirm. (see screenshot below)
6 If prompted to Delete other apps?, click/tap on Yes or No for what you want to do. (see screenshot below)
If you click/tap on No, this drive will not be used to save new apps to.
7 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink