Windows will automatically try to use a different drive if your system drive is full, but with a few steps, you can also force Windows to download updates somewhere else. If the system drive is too full and you have a different drive with enough space, Windows will often try to use that space if it can. Note: Before going any further, you should back up your computer just in case anything goes wrong while altering things in system folders.

You really should be backing up regularly, anyway. This is where Windows will store any future update downloads. It is not Windows itself that downloads files, but rather its applications like web browsers or other network clients. If you are specifically talking about downloading files from the Internet, your web browser has a setting for the default download location.

You can even set it to ask you each time where you want to put a file that you are about to download. Have something to add to the explanation? Sound off in the comments. Related Articles. Author Info Last Updated: June 30, Method 1 of Open the “settings” application.

This can be done by pressing the Windows key and clicking the gear icon in the “Start” menu. You can also search “settings” in Cortana or in the “Start” menu.

Select Edit the System Environment Details. A menu titled “System Properties” should pop up. Click Environment Variables.

This should be on the right-hand side of the menu below the Startup and Recovery section. Select Path. You should not have to scroll down to find this option. Select OK once you’re done editing.

This will save any changes you may have made. Method 2 of Create a shortcut to “My Computer”. Right-click on the shortcut and select Properties. You can change the default downloads location in Microsoft Edge on your computer so that your future downloads are saved in your selected folder.

Changing this setting only applies to this browser. Your other browsers will continue to save your files where they did before. If you use a download manager to download files, you need to head into the settings of your download manager app and change the default downloads location. Did you ever have to change the default downloads location on your Windows 10 PC?

What method did you use to do that?

 
 

 

Windows 10 upgrade paths (Windows 10) – Windows Deployment | Microsoft Docs – Thanks for subscribing!

 
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