How To Change The File Download Location In Internet Explorer

Martin Brinkmann
Feb 13, 2011
Updated • Jul 24, 2014
Internet Explorer
|
11

Update: The guide has been written with Internet Explorer 9 in mind. The method described below works fine in newer versions of the browser including the most recent version at the time of writing, Internet Explorer 11.

Microsoft's Internet Explorer 9 saves files automatically to the Users\username\Downloads folder which is usually stored on the partition that Windows is installed on. Some users may want to move the download location to another hard drive or partition.

Users with Solid State Drives for instance or users with little space left on the Windows drive, may want to consider moving the file download folder to avoid space issues on the primary drive.

Others may prefer a different location, one that can be accessed easily in Windows Explorer instead of the default download folder.

The option to edit the download folder is built right into Internet Explorer 9. I have personally tested the setting under Internet Explorer 9 RC on Windows 7. It is likely that Windows Vista users will have the same options.

Open Internet Explorer 9 and then the View Downloads window. This can be done by pressing Ctrl-j, or clicking on Tools > View Downloads in the menu bar of the browser.

The View Downloads window displays all user initiated downloads along with information where they have been stored. If the download location has never been changed, Downloads is displayed in the Location column referring to the downloads folder of the user profile mentioned above.

A click on Options in the lower left corner of the screen opens another window with options to change that downloads folder to another path.

internet explorer download options

The default download location is displayed here as well as an option to browse the hard drive for a new location.

change internet explorer downloads folder

A click on Browse opens a folder browser to make a new folder the default download folder of the Internet Explorer 9 browser. There is unfortunately no option available to edit the download folder manually, either by clicking into the field or by pasting a path into it directly.

The only other option available in download options is to disable notifications when downloads complete.

Internet Explorer 9 will use the new download location for all future file downloads from that moment on.

Summary
How To Change The File Download Location In Internet Explorer
Article Name
How To Change The File Download Location In Internet Explorer
Description
Find out how to change the default download location of Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser so that file downloads get saved in a different location on the PC.
Author
Advertisement

Previous Post: «
Next Post: «

Comments

  1. The IT Guy said on October 5, 2014 at 10:11 pm
    Reply

    This video tutorial will show you how to change the default download location in Internet explorer

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp4ejfQ67jY

  2. Anonymous said on July 2, 2012 at 9:24 am
    Reply

    wright answer

    Thangs Answer

  3. Charles Aaron said on August 3, 2011 at 5:55 am
    Reply

    Thank you… for this timely info …

  4. Anonymous said on April 17, 2011 at 5:25 pm
    Reply

    not bad! but it’s better to not remove informations about previous versions of applications like IE
    بیا بخور

  5. ilev said on February 13, 2011 at 9:21 pm
    Reply

    Features removed in Windows Internet Explorer 9 (compared to IE8)

    http://xpwasmyidea.blogspot.com/2011/02/features-removed-in-windows-internet.html

    1. Mushaf said on February 14, 2011 at 10:36 am
      Reply

      “Internet Explorer 9 feels like it suffers from Chrome-envy. The IE team probably didn’t confident about standing their ground with IE8’s helpful and customizable UI. The web may have become more beautiful but it’s not usable any more.” — That is very true.

  6. Mushaf said on February 13, 2011 at 5:12 pm
    Reply

    As long as I have IDM these things don’t bother me.

  7. Alen said on February 13, 2011 at 4:41 pm
    Reply

    prihvaćam uvjete pravila.

Leave a Reply

Check the box to consent to your data being stored in line with the guidelines set out in our privacy policy

We love comments and welcome thoughtful and civilized discussion. Rudeness and personal attacks will not be tolerated. Please stay on-topic.
Please note that your comment may not appear immediately after you post it.