How to Specify Where Files Are Downloaded

By default, Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge download files to the Downloads folder located at  %USERPROFILE%\Downloads. USERPROFILE is a variable that refers to the logged in user's profile directory on the Windows computer, e.g. the path may look like C:\Users\YourUserName\Downloads. However, you may change download folder location in your favorite browser or change the location of the Downloads folder in Windows. 

• How to change the location of the Downloads folder in Windows 10
• How to specify where files are downloaded in Google Chrome
• How to specify where files are downloaded in Mozilla Firefox
• How to specify where files are downloaded in Microsoft Edge

To change the location of the Downloads folder in Windows:

1. Right-click Start button, then select File Explorer.

2. Right-click the  Downloads location at the left pane, then select Properties.

3. Navigate to  Location tab, click the Move button, then select the folder where the files will be downloaded and click Select Folder.

4. Click OK to apply changes. 

WARNING! Changing the location of the Downloads folder in Windows will affect all programs.

How to specify where files are downloaded in Google Chrome

In Chrome, you may change the download folder location or make Chrome ask you every time where to download a file.

To select a different download folder location:

1. Click the Chrome menu button (three horizontal bars) at the top right, then select Settings.

2. Click  Advanced link at the bottom of the Settings page

3. In the  Downloads section, click the Change button, then select the folder where the files will be downloaded and click OK.  

You can now see the path to the selected folder below the  Location. 

If you want Chrome to ask you every time about download folder location, follow these steps:

1. Click the Chrome menu button (three horizontal bars) at the top right, then select Settings.

2. Click  Advanced link at the bottom of the Settings page

3. In the  Downloads section, turn on the Ask where to save each file before downloading toggle.

Once the file is downloaded, you can see it at the bottom of the browser window. If you want to open the file you’ve downloaded earlier, press  Ctrl + J or type chrome://downloads in the Chrome address line. Downloads list is displayed. 

The files are grouped by the date they were downloaded. Click the file name to open it. You may also quickly browse to the folder containing the file. Simply click  Show in folder link below the file name. 

How to specify where files are downloaded in Mozilla Firefox

In Firefox, you may change download folder location or make Firefox to ask you every time where to download a file.

To select a different download folder location:

1. Click the Firefox menu button (three horizontal bars) at the top right, then select Options.

2. Under  General > Downloads, click the Browse button, then select the folder where the files will be downloaded and click Select Folder.  

3. You can now see the path to the selected folder in the  Save files box. 

If you want Firefox to ask you every time about download folder location, follow these steps:

1. Click the Firefox menu button (three horizontal bars) at the top right, then select Options.

2. Under  General > Downloads, select the Always ask you where to save files.

How to find the files downloaded in Firefox

 Once you’ve clicked the  Download button, Firefox asks what it should do with the file – open or download it. Please select Save to download the file. 

If you’ve chosen to use the default download location, the file will be saved in the selected folder. If you’ve chosen to select a download location each time, you would be able to select the desired folder.

You may reach all files downloaded during the current browser session by clicking the arrow icon at the top. You may also quickly browse to the folder containing the downloaded file. Simply click the folder icon next to the file name.

If you want to open the file you’ve downloaded earlier, press  Ctrl + J. Downloads tab of the Library pop-up list is displayed. The files are grouped by the date they were downloaded. Click the file name to open it or click the folder icon to browse to the folder containing the file. 

How to specify where files are downloaded in Microsoft Edge

In Edge, you may change download folder location or make Edge ask you every time where to download a file.

To select a different download folder location:

1. Click the Edge menu button (three horizontal dots) at the top right, select Settings, and then click View Advanced Settings.

2. Under  Downloads, click the Change button, then select the folder where the files will be downloaded and click Select Folder. 

You can now see the path to the selected folder below  Save download files to. 

If you want Edge to ask you every time about download folder location, follow these steps:

1. Click the Edge menu button (three horizontal dots) at the top right, select Settings, and then click View Advanced Settings.

2. Under  Downloads, turn on the Ask me what to do with each download toggle.

Once the file is downloaded, you can see the notification at the bottom of the browser window. You can open the file or the folder containing it. 

If you want to open the file you’ve downloaded earlier, press  Ctrl + J or click Hub button (three horizontal bars) at the top right. Downloads list is displayed.

The files are grouped by the date they were downloaded. Click the file name to open it. You may also quickly open the  Downloads folder. Simply click Open folder link above the file list. 

The article was prepared by TaxDome team. TaxDome is an all-in-one platform for tax, bookkeeping, and accounting firms. The platform is equipped with useful tools that optimize the accountant’s work processes: client portal, tax organizers, and more.