Choose Where a Download is Saved

Any file that has been downloaded onto your computer can be called a download. The location where the download is saved (known as the download folder or download directory) depends on how the file was downloaded and what software was used to download it. The method you need to use to choose where a download is saved depends on which Internet browser you are using.

Steps

Internet Explorer

  1. Access the settings menu by clicking on the settings icon (it is a round gear shape near the top right of the Internet Explorer browser).
  2. Choose "View downloads" from the menu. This will bring up the Downloads window.
  3. Click on "Options."
  4. Press the Browse button and browse to the folder where you want to download to be saved.
  5. Confirm with the OK button to assign the new download location. The downloads you perform from hereon will be saved in the folder that you have chosen.

Firefox

  1. Go to the Tools menu by clicking on "Tools" on the top bar of the Firefox browser.
  2. Select "Options."
  3. Go to the main settings tab and look for the section labeled "Downloads." At this stage, you can change the download folder using 1 of the following methods.
    • Use the Browse button and go to the folder where you want the downloads to be saved. This will assign your default folder for all downloads in future.
    • Put a dot next to "Always ask me where to save files." If you select this option, you will always be asked where you want a download to be saved before the Downloads window pops up showing you the progress of the download.
  4. Hit the OK button to confirm your new settings.

Google Chrome

  1. Open the settings menu by clicking on the icon that looks like a small wrench on the Google Chrome toolbar.
  2. Choose "Options" if you are using a Windows computer, or "Preferences" if you are using a Macintosh computer.
  3. Go to the "Under the Hood" tab and find the section titles "Downloads." From here you can change the download location using 1 of the following methods.
    • Use the "Change" button and browse to the folder that you want to be used as the default download directory where downloads should be saved.
    • Put a mark inside the checkbox next to "Ask where to save each file before downloading" if you want Google Chrome to ask you where a download should be saved every time you try to download a new file.
  4. Apply your new settings by pressing "OK."

Warnings

  • The steps required to choose where a download is saved may vary slightly depending on the version of the software that you are using. The steps provided are specific to Internet Explorer 9 and Firefox 3, however they can be used as a general example for other versions.

Related Articles

  • Change Where Downloaded Files Are Saved in Firefox

Sources and Citations

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