How to Fix: Change Microsoft Edge Download Location

Infopackets Read Sammy K. writes:

" Dear Dennis,

I just upgraded to Windows 10 and I have been using the Edge browser for a few weeks. One thing I don't understand, however, is how to change the default download location in Edge? I do a fair bit of downloading online, but Edge only wants to download to my 'Download' folder which is located in c:\users\my user name. With Internet Explorer or any other browser, I could choose my download location. Can you help? "

My response:

Microsoft Edge is a much more basic browser in comparison to Internet Explorer (or any other browser, for that matter), and seems to be missing quite a few standard features. Changing the download location in Edge just happens to be one of those options that just isn't part of the program - at least, for now. There are, however, a few ways to get around the problem.

Option #1: Right Click the Download Link

By far the easiest way to change the download location is to right click a link to a file you intend to download, then choose "Save Target As". You will then be prompted with a "Save as" window, which will allow you to navigate to any folder on the system to save the file. If you need to save your downloads to different folders fairly often, then this is the best method to choose.

Option #2: Modify the Download Folder Location

By default Microsoft Edge downloads files to the Download folder, which is located in C: -> users -> your user name -> downloads. If you want to change the location of your download folder to the D drive, for example, you could do the following:

1. Using your mouse, highlight the text below:
   
   %userprofile%
    
2. Right click over top of the highlighted text and select Copy from the dialogue menu.
    
3. Click Start and then press CTRL + V on the keyboard. The %userprofile% text you copied in Step #1 should output to the Start Menu. Press Enter on the keyboard to execute the command.
    
4. A new window will appear with folders containing your user profile information; one of those folders is called "Downloads". Right click the Downloads folder and select Properties from the dialogue menu.
    
5. Next, click the Location tab. To change the location of your Download folder, click the Move button and navigate to where you would like to move your download folder. In this case, we want move it to the D drive, so navigate to the D drive and select OK, then Apply.

This will change your download folder location for Edge as well as any other program that uses the Download folder. You will not be able to select a different location for each download unless you right click the download link and use "Save Target As," as previously described in Option #1.

Option #3: Modify the Windows Registry for Microsoft Edge

The last option is much more drastic as it uses the Windows Registry to change the Microsoft Edge download location. Unless you have previous experience using the Windows Registry, I don't recommend you use this method because it can cause damage to the operating system if not carried out properly. For the brave, however, the instructions are as follows:

1. Click Start and then type in "regedit" (no quotes), and press Enter.
    
2. Using the registry editor, navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> SOFTWARE -> Classes -> Local Settings -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion -> AppContainer -> Storage -> microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe -> MicrosoftEdge -> Main.
    
3. On the right side of the registry editor, right click on an empty area to bring up the dialogue menu, and then select New -> String Value. Type in "Default Download Directory" (no quotes) as the name for the string value.
    
4. Double click the "Default Download Directory" string value you just created, and enter in the path for your default download location for Microsoft Edge. For example, you might want to save it to d:\downloads, or such.

I hope that helps.

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About the author: Dennis Faas is the owner and operator of Infopackets.com. With over 30 years of computing experience, Dennis' areas of expertise are a broad range and include PC hardware, Microsoft Windows, Linux, network administration, and virtualization. Dennis holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science (1999) and has authored 6 books on the topics of MS Windows and PC Security. If you like the advice you received on this page, please up-vote / Like this page and share it with friends. For technical support inquiries, Dennis can be reached via Live chat online this site using the Zopim Chat service (currently located at the bottom left of the screen); optionally, you can contact Dennis through the website contact form.