This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable Ask me what to do with each download 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.
By default, files are saved automatically to the default location, without asking the user in Microsoft Edge.
You can turn on Ask me what to do with each download in Microsoft Edge to always ask you if you want to save a file or open it without saving.
Reference:
Microsoft Edge Privacy Whitepaper - Microsoft Edge Developer documentation
Privacy aspects of features of Microsoft Edge, including how your data is shared with Microsoft and how to change settings for this data sharing.
learn.microsoft.com
Contents
- Option One: Turn On or Off Ask Where to Save Downloads in Microsoft Edge for Current User from Settings
- Option Two: Enable or Disable Ask Where to Save Downloads in Microsoft Edge for All Users using REG file
EXAMPLE: "Ask me what to do with each download" turned on
Turn On or Off Ask Where to Save Downloads 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)
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 Turn on or off (default) Ask me what to do with each download for what you want.
Enable or Disable Ask Where to Save Downloads in Microsoft Edge for All Users using REG file
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
This option uses the PromptForDownloadLocation policy for Microsoft Edge.
1 Do step 2 (always on), step 3 (always off), or step 4 (default) below for what you want.
2 Always Turn On "Ask me what to do with each download" in Microsoft Edge for All Users
This will override and gray out Option One.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 5 below.
Always_enable_Ask_me_what_to_do_with_each_downloading_in_Microsoft_Edge_for_all_users.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"PromptForDownloadLocation"=dword:000000013 Always Turn Off "Ask me what to do with each download" in Microsoft Edge for All Users
This will override and gray out Option One.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 5 below.
Disable_Ask_me_what_to_do_with_each_downloading_in_Microsoft_Edge_for_all_users.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"PromptForDownloadLocation"=dword:000000004 Default User Choice "Ask me what to do with each download" in Microsoft Edge
This is the default setting to allow using Option One.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 5 below.
Default_user_choice_Ask_me_what_to_do_with_each_downloading_in_Microsoft_Edge.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"PromptForDownloadLocation"=-5 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8 If Microsoft Edge is currently open, then close and reopen Microsoft Edge to apply.
9 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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