General Move or Restore Default Location of Downloads Folder in Windows 11


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Downloads_folder_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to move or restore the default location of the Downloads folder for your account in Windows 11.

The Downloads folder (shell:Downloads) is a component of the user profile that is used as a unified location for storing personal data. By default, the Downloads folder is a shell folder in the user's profile (%UserProfile%) that is used as a default storage location for saved downloads.

If you like, you can move the Downloads folder and its content to a location you want it at instead.

If the current Downloads folder path is incorrect or is no longer available, you can use the Restore Default option to restore the default path.


Contents

  • Option One: Move Location of Downloads Folder in Properties
  • Option Two: Restore Default Location of Downloads Folder in Properties
  • Option Three: Restore Default Location of Downloads Folder using BAT file




Option One

Move Location of Downloads Folder in Properties


1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Navigate to the location (ex: "D") you want to move your Downloads folder to, and create a new folder named Downloads at this location. (see screenshot below)

Move_Downloads_folder-1.png

3 Right click on the Downloads folder in the navigation pane of File Explorer, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)

If you don't see the Downloads folder in the navigation pane, then type shell:Downloads into the address bar of File Explorer, and press Enter to open the Downloads folder no matter where it may be located.

You can then right click or press and hold on an empty area in the opened Downloads folder, and click/tap on Properties.


Move_Downloads_folder-2.png

4 Click/tap on the Location tab, and click/tap on the Move button. (see screenshot below)

Move_Downloads_folder-3.png

5 Navigate to and select the new Downloads folder from step 2, and click/tap on Select Folder. (see screenshot below)

Move_Downloads_folder-4.png

6 Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Move_Downloads_folder-5.png

7 Click/tap on Yes to move all the files from the old location to the new location. (see screenshot below)

Move_Downloads_folder-6.png




Option Two

Restore Default Location of Downloads Folder in Properties


1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Right click on the Downloads folder in the navigation pane of File Explorer, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)

If you don't see the Downloads folder in the navigation pane, then type shell:Downloads into the address bar of File Explorer, and press Enter to open the Downloads folder no matter where it may be located.

You can then right click or press and hold on an empty area in the opened Downloads folder, and click/tap on Properties.


Move_Downloads_folder-2.png

3 Click/tap on the Location tab, and click/tap on the Restore Default button. (see screenshot below)

Restore_Downloads_folder-2.png

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

Restore_Downloads_folder-3.png

5 If prompted to create a Downloads folder at the default location, click/tap on Yes. (see screenshot below)

Restore_Downloads_folder-4.png

6 Click/tap on Yes to move all the files from the old location to the default location. (see screenshot below)

Restore_Downloads_folder-5.png




Option Three

Restore Default Location of Downloads Folder using BAT file


This option can be very useful if Option Two is not available or didn't work.

This option will not move the contents of the Downloads folder from the old location to the default location. You will need to manually move the contents after restoring the default location if wanted.


1 Click/tap on the download button below to download the Restore_default_location_of_Downloads_folder.bat file.


(Contents of BAT file for reference)
Code:
@echo off

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe

timeout /t 2 /nobreak >nul

if not exist "%UserProfile%\Downloads" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Downloads"

reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders" /v "{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}" /t REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Downloads" /f

reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v "{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Downloads" /f

reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v "{7D83EE9B-2244-4E70-B1F5-5393042AF1E4}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Downloads" /f

attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Downloads" /S /D

timeout /t 1 /nobreak >nul

start explorer.exe

2 Save the BAT file to your desktop.

3 Unblock and run the BAT file.

4 You will now see a command prompt open and close to kill the explorer process, run the commands to restore the default location and attributes of the Downloads folder, and restart the explorer process.

5 You can now delete the BAT file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

Attachments

  • Downloads_folder.png
    Downloads_folder.png
    6.9 KB · Views: 98
  • Restore_default_location_of_Downloads_folder.bat
    973 bytes · Views: 205
Last edited:
Hi Shawn,

In moving the Downloads folder from C:\Users\Dat\Downloads to D:, I accidentally deleted it. How do I recreate it? Thanks much for your assistance.

Dat
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY - December 2022
    CPU
    Intel i7-13700k
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime Z790-A WIFI
    Memory
    64 GB (32GBx2) Corsair Vengeance DDR5 5600 MHz C40
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Founders Edition 8GB
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27” LG UP850
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160, 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SAMSUNG 980PRO PCIe 4.0 NVME M.2 SSD (for OS)
    2 TB SAMSUNG 980PRO PCIe 4.0 NVME M.2 SSD
    1 TB SAMSUNG SATA SSD
    2 TB WESTERN DIGITAL SATA HDD
    8 TB WESTERN DIGITAL EXTERNAL USB HDD
    PSU
    Corsair RM850X
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    NOCTUA NH-U12A
    Keyboard
    USB Wired HP
    Mouse
    USB Wired HP
    Internet Speed
    Download 52.5 Mbps, upload 10.5 Mbps (typical daytime)
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows 11 Defender/Antivirus
    Other Info
    The PC is mainly used for photo editing.
Hi Shawn,

In moving the Downloads folder from C:\Users\Dat\Downloads to D:, I accidentally deleted it. How do I recreate it? Thanks much for your assistance.

Dat

Hello Dat, and welcome. :alien:

It depends on how the folder was deleted.

First, check the Recycle Bin to see if it may be there to restore from.

If not, then option two should restore the folder, but the contents may be lost.
 

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
Thank you for your prompt reply. I really appreciate it.

Unfortunately, I had also emptied the trash bin, everything has been gone. I’m afraid not to have Option 2 because the folder is not in D drive. Anyhow, it’s not that important, I created a Downloads folder in D drive and changed the setting in Edge to direct all downloads to the folder.

Elevenforum is great, it offers a lot of tips and technical assistance and I read it everyday. Keep up the good work.

Best regards,
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY - December 2022
    CPU
    Intel i7-13700k
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime Z790-A WIFI
    Memory
    64 GB (32GBx2) Corsair Vengeance DDR5 5600 MHz C40
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Founders Edition 8GB
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27” LG UP850
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160, 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SAMSUNG 980PRO PCIe 4.0 NVME M.2 SSD (for OS)
    2 TB SAMSUNG 980PRO PCIe 4.0 NVME M.2 SSD
    1 TB SAMSUNG SATA SSD
    2 TB WESTERN DIGITAL SATA HDD
    8 TB WESTERN DIGITAL EXTERNAL USB HDD
    PSU
    Corsair RM850X
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    NOCTUA NH-U12A
    Keyboard
    USB Wired HP
    Mouse
    USB Wired HP
    Internet Speed
    Download 52.5 Mbps, upload 10.5 Mbps (typical daytime)
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows 11 Defender/Antivirus
    Other Info
    The PC is mainly used for photo editing.
Thank you for your prompt reply. I really appreciate it.

Unfortunately, I had also emptied the trash bin, everything has been gone. I’m afraid not to have Option 2 because the folder is not in D drive. Anyhow, it’s not that important, I created a Downloads folder in D drive and changed the setting in Edge to direct all downloads to the folder.

Elevenforum is great, it offers a lot of tips and technical assistance and I read it everyday. Keep up the good work.

Best regards,

Sorry you lost the contents, but glad you restored the folder.
 

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
@Brink
I just wanted to say thank you for this! I somehow also made a mess moving to a different drive and folder got lost. I used Option 3 (using the BAT file) and worked perfectly, saved me a great deal of headache.

Keep up the good work!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8960
@Brink
I just wanted to say thank you for this! I somehow also made a mess moving to a different drive and folder got lost. I used Option 3 (using the BAT file) and worked perfectly, saved me a great deal of headache.

Keep up the good work!
Hello, and welcome. :shawn:

You're most welcome. I'm glad it could help.
 

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

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