How To Change The Default Location of User Folders in Windows 11

How to change or move the location of user folders, music, pictures, videos, documents to another hard drive or computer. #windows11


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[Pueckkler]

Thank you for this tutorial! I changed the default location via the Windows 11 settings but that created two locations and some programs would store screenshots in the Pictures folder on C and others in the pictures folder on the D drive. Now all screenshots are saved on D :)

[ZenMasterChip]

Thanks, Jamie; clear and concise. I don't know if this is a Microsoft thing or a custom builder issue; I had my computer custom-built, but all of my photo, document, video, etc. files defaulted to the Microsoft One Drive! Ex: and etc. On a new machine with a fresh install, the OneDrive is not set up yet, or the user is blocked from changing this for some unknown reason. Nothing short of a regedit to restore the location to %USERPROFILE% will get control back to the user to do what you did here.

Fortunately, Microsoft doesn't hide this information, and if you search for the error you get when trying to do what you say here, Microsoft does have a help page, easy to find and not for the faint of heart, to edit the registry and fix the problem so your method works. I'll say up front; do not just delete OneDrive and go that route, or delete and try redirecting afterward. That's a death knell. Losing my Desktop and other %USERPROFILE% folders/files was not fun. Fortunately, I have a good repair tool.


I think for some people using OneDrive or some other as a backup solution is great, for those who want to go that route; but, for most of us, especially the new machines using SSD drives; we don't care to incur the extra expense. For forcing this on people, Microsoft gets a well deserved shaming.

[adri_]

thank you thank you thank you! i've been looking for a video like this for hours...

[AsidebyAside]

Great video man, love how organized your system is.

[RIAHthePARIAH]

the move button as well as the other two options arent displaying when i go to location in properties. I just bought this laptop and I am not tech savvy at all. I tried following the instructions on microsoft but it's way too complex and confusing for me. Should I go to an IT expert? What should i do?-+

[IRLvlogsinrealife]

Could I do the same for the OneDrive folder

[lady-lizzy]

What if you dont see the location tab?

[Jdb.]

Quick question, do the files work like they would in C drive? as it would be stored in another place but work completely fine

[Professor]

No matter what I click on I never get the option to where it shows "location". I am trying to move my Apple folder backup which is under C:\users\my name\apple.

[WDBqerl]

so moving the contents of your user file to a D drive is safe?

[oilyvio]

what if oyu wanna undo it but the location option isn't present anymore? what happens? thanks!

[AlphaDeFcOn]

If i click quick acess tabs if take to my new location drive or do i have to go all the time manually inside d drive 2023 etc to acess files ?

[xtylishpradeep]

I have purchased a laptop on 17th but in my folder 📁 there is a different name exist that created on 7th, now i am frustrated because i paid for a new laptop
How to change the location

[calityyy]

I already follow your instruction with the other video, but for some reason after i stop backup with one drive, i can't access the location tab of my folder 😢

[juddielmorales]

i need help guyss, i just move my videos on my local disk drive without folder😭and it messed up my folder and my user file that has my name is gone and i don't know how to put it back😭

[_-Sparky-_]

So I changed my default location but it still saying disk is full like it’s trying to download to my other disk. What do I do

[AlphaDeFcOn]

If my windows damage and i format only windows particion the new windows installation will be redirect or do i have to configure one by one again kind boring.

[dinosore]

i have an HP with an unknown user that has special permissions and even as admin i dont have the option to change file locations