How to move user folders to different location on Windows 10
You can move the default user folders to a new location, and in this guide, we’ll show you how on Windows 10.
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OnWindows 10, each account has a set of default folders that allow users to save and organize their files, including documents, pictures, downloads, and other data on the device.
However, over time, depending on your usage, the folders can grow in size significantly, and if you have a computer with limited storage, using a different location (for example external hard drive or partition) can help toavoid running out of spaceon the system drive, which can be an issue when it comes the time to install new releases of Windows 10 or a new application. Also, you never want to use a device with a drive at capacity as it can affect system performance.
Thisguidewill walk you through the steps to move the default user account folders to a different drive or partition on Windows 10.
How to change default user folders on Windows 10
You can only use the instructions outlined below if you’re not backing up files to OneDrive. If OneDrive backup is enabled, you must disabled the feature (see instructions below) before continuing.
To move the default user account folders to a new storage location, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the default account folders will move to the new location, and future files will save in this location by default.
Although moving folders one at a time introduces additional steps, you’ll avoid potential problems, which may be something that could happen while moving the main account folder.
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Redirect user folders when using OneDrive backup
If you are backing up the folders to OneDrive, you won’t be able to use this method. In the case that you still want to move the folders to another location, you will need to stop OneDrive from syncing your folders to the cloud. Here’s how:
Once you complete the steps, you can use the instructions outlined earlier to redirect the user folders to another location.
Restore default folder location
If you change your mind, you can revert the changes for the folder location using these steps:
After you complete the steps, the account folder will relocate to its original location. You may need to repeat the steps to restore the remaining folders to their previous location.
Change default save location on apps
The only caveat about this process is that it’ll not change the default save locations for some apps. For instance, if you use Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or Firefox, these applications will continue to use the original path to try and save files.
If you want to avoid problems, change the default save location for these and other apps (if applicable). Here’s an example of changing the settings on Microsoft Edge:
Once you complete the steps, future files will download to the new location by default in the new storage.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 or Windows 11, visit the following resources:
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Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
