How to change where files are saved in Windows 10

If you've been using your Windows 10 computer for a long time, it's possible that your primary storage drive is running out of space. To help it out, you may have installed another hard drive and want to store all your new files and apps there. But you may be wondering: How to change where files are saved in Windows 10, an issue we will address in this entry.

Windows 10 computers are configured by default to save new files to the drive where the operating system is installed. Naturally, this drive gradually fills up to the point where it needs another drive to back it up. Once the secondary hard drive is installed, we need to configure everything so that new files and apps are saved on it.. Let's see how to do it.

How to change where files are saved in Windows 10

Those of us still using Windows 10 computers have some tough decisions to make. On the one hand, Microsoft's support for Windows 2025 ends in October 10, so we must decide whether to change the operating system or continue on our own. On the other hand, after several years using the same computer, it may need changes at the hardware level, which surely includes a larger storage unit.

Well, when we add a new hard drive to our computer, it is necessary to configure everything so that its presence takes effect. If we want the main unit to rest, we must make sure that new files are saved to the new storage driveIn other words, you need to know how to change where files are saved in Windows 10, a process that is quite simple.

As we have already said, computers save files, data and programs on the main storage unit by default. The operating system is also installed on this unit, as well as all the programs that we run on the computer. Therefore, You need to configure the storage settings to assign the newly installed secondary drive as the new storage destination.

Change where files are saved in Windows 10 from Settings

Let's see, first of all, how to change where files are saved in Windows 10 from the System Configuration panel. With this method You get to assign a new storage destination for all new files you want to save. It will be the same as the default, but on a different storage unit.

The advantage of this option is that you configure everything at once: file storage, program installation, downloads. With a few clicks, you reassign the storage location from the main drive (C:) to any other one you have installed. Let's see the steps:

1. Press the button Home on the Taskbar and go to Configuration.
2. Now click on System and then in Storage.
3. In the Storage section, scroll down until you see the option 'Change the storage location for new content'. Choose that option.
4. Here you will see a window with options to change where files are saved in Windows 10. By default, you see the local disk (C:), and a tab where the other available storage options appear. If you have a secondary disk installed, you will see it as Local disk (D:).
5. Finally, select the new storage destination and click Apply for the change to take effect. You must do the same with the other tabs if you want all new files to be saved somewhere else from now on.

From the Properties of each folder

There is another way to change where files are saved in Windows 10, and that is from the properties of each folder. As you know, this operating system automatically classifies files and groups them based on their origin and format. For example, the Downloads folder contains all the files you download from the Internet, and the Music folder contains all the audio files. Well, We can take each folder and set its properties to send it to another location. Let's see how.

1. Open the File Browser and locate the folder you want to move.
2. Right click on the folder and choose the option Properties at the end of the floating menu.
3. In the Properties menu, choose the tab Location. Then click on the option Move.
4. Next, a window opens where you must choose the destination for the selected folder. You can choose the storage unit (D:) that you have installed.
5. Then click on Apply and confirm by answering yes to the question 'Do you want to move all files from the old location to the new location?'
6. Done. The folder along with all the files inside it will be moved to the chosen location.

If you want to change where files are saved in Windows 10 from various folders, You must repeat the above process one by one. It's the best way to free up storage space on your main drive and relieve your workload.

Changing where files are saved in Windows 10 is possible

You can use either of the above two procedures to change where files are saved in Windows 10. Both allow you to choose a new storage drive as a destination for files, data, and programs. Thus, the main unit will use its resources for the operation of the operating system, and the other unit will be used to save and organize your files.

Another advantage of changing where files are saved in Windows 10 has to do with the security of your files. If the primary drive is damaged and you have to format it, the files stored on the secondary drive will remain safe.This way, you can perform a clean reinstallation of your operating system without endangering any important documents, pictures, videos, or other data.

In any case, adding a new storage drive to your Windows 10 computer will surely bring you some relief. Of course, Don't forget to assign this drive as a new destination for the files and applications you want to have on your computer. And as we have seen, you can do it from the System Configuration or through the properties of each folder separately.