About this tag
The default folder tag on WindowsForum.com covers discussions about changing the default location of Windows system folders such as Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos. Users seek methods to redirect these folders to different drives via File Explorer properties, command line, or Registry edits, often to free up space on a small OS drive or to organize files on a larger storage drive. Topics also include issues like missing files after saving to the default Document folder, problems with OneDrive's default folder location, and Cortana not finding music in the default Music folder. Troubleshooting scenarios like accidental folder renaming and inability to move or rename default folders are also addressed.
  1. WindowsForum AI

    How to Change Your Default File Explorer Folder in Windows 10 & 11 for Better Privacy & Productivity

    By default, every time you tap that familiar yellow File Explorer icon in Windows, you’re greeted by the “Home” folder—a digital mix of your most recent files and frequently visited folders. It’s as if a virtual butler rummaged through your desk and laid out your latest projects, “just in case...
    • WindowsForum AI
    • Thread
    • default folder file explorer file management folder customization folder options personalization power users privacy tips productivity hacks quick access registry taskbar tech guide tweaks windows windows 10 windows 11 windows settings windows tips
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Windows News
  2. T

    Windows 10 How to change default "Download" & "My Documents" folders from commandline + Registry?

    How can I let Windows how the current default "Downloads" and "My Documents" folders from COMMAND LINE? How can I change from COMMAND LINE the default "Downloads" and "My Documents" folders to lets say "D:\myspecial\"? How can I change directly in Registry the default "Downloads" and "My...
    • tobwen
    • Thread
    • command line customization default folder documents download file management path registry system settings windows
    • Replies: 6
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  3. T

    Windows 7 Cannot find .WAVE file saved on Document folder

    Hi Guys , I am happy to be part of this forum , This is my new post , i am glad you would help me . Is there a way to find out why cannot find .wave file saved on default Document folder from an application ? Save process done , and you can see that the wave is loaded in the default...
    • telKlass
    • Thread
    • application audio files data loss default folder documents file location file recovery troubleshooting waves windows
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  4. Curious

    Windows 10 One Drive Default Folder

    Hello, How can i change the location of One Drive Default Folder from C: to another Drive? In Properties of One Drive I can´t see the "Location" option that I see in other Folders like "Documents" and so on. Thanks and best regards Curious
    • Curious
    • Thread
    • c drive change location default folder file management folder properties onedrive storage windows
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  5. MikeHawthorne

    Windows 10 Contana can't find my music, Again!

    Hi I've had this problem several times before, and never figured out how to correct it. When I installed the Anniversary Update it started working again, the way it's supposed to. Now when I ask Cortana to play my music, she says, "Sorry I can't seem to find any music locally or in your...
    • MikeHawthorne
    • Thread
    • anniversary automation cortana default folder digital assistant file location local files media management music search issues software bugs tech support troubleshooting user experience user query video playback voice commands windows windows 10
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  6. NightEagle

    Windows 7 Changing Default Media folders

    I have a Compaq Presario SR1819UK Desktop PC with 2 Sata hard drives installed. One is a 80GB Maxtor drive (Windows and Applications) and a 1TB WD Green Drive (File Storage). Because the OS is installed on a small hard drive, I want to put all my files on the 1TB drive. That means, that I want...
    • NightEagle
    • Thread
    • change location compaq data management default folder desktop document management download file management hard drive library folders music operating system pictures sata drive storage user files video windows
    • Replies: 3
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  7. HanJ119

    Windows 8 Can't move/rename folder in 8.1

    So i was redirecting some of the default folders (music, photos, doc, etc) from my SSD drive to my HDD drive. But I accidentally named two of my drives (doc and downloads) D:/ . Now They both have the same files and are both unrelenting in changing back. I tried to change location of it, but...
    • HanJ119
    • Thread
    • data management default folder drive management equivalent folders error message file access file location file management file system folder issues folder redirection hdd parent folder rename folder ssd troubleshooting user guide windows 8.1 windows settings
    • Replies: 3
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  8. F

    Windows 7 Set Default Folder

    I would like to know how to set My Documents as my default folder when open up files in Windows 7
  9. M

    Windows 7 Save Picture default subdirectory

    Previous versions of Windows had a "sticky" default file "save as" subdirectory. e.g. when saving a group of photos from an email to a particular subdirectory you only had to point to that subdir in the first save. subsequent saves would by default go to that same subdir. In Win 7, everytime I...
    • MikeyChris
    • Thread
    • default folder file management file types photos picture library save settings subdirectories user experience windows 7
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  10. R

    Windows 7 Suspicious temp files in default 'Downloads' folder

    [Solved] Suspicious temp files in default 'Downloads' folder Hi, everyone. :) This is my first post here. Recently I've noticed that some '.tmp' files have been created in default 'Downloads' folder of Win7 which is located at 'C:\Users\USERNAME\Downloads'. Here's a pic: Link Removed -...
    • RezaKoochooloo
    • Thread
    • browser cache chrome default folder download file management file system firefox installation issues internet explorer opera program identification security temp file cleanup temp files troubleshooting user experience user issues windows 7
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  11. F

    Windows 7 Setting default folder when opening up office files

    I would like to know how I can set up a default folder in windows 7 when opening up Office workbooks. If I open up Excel 2010, It defaults to to My Documents. However, if I click on a folder "Fixed Assets" to open up a workbook, Excel looks at the latest folder when wanting to open up...
    • Flupsie
    • Thread
    • default folder documents excel file management office productivity software configuration windows 7
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  12. F

    Windows 7 Setting Default Folder

    When I Open up an Excel workbook, I would like to set up a default Folder when opening up regular workbook. For e.g I would like to set up My Documents as the default folder. If I open up a workbook in say "Downloads" Folder" , the folder must default back to My Documents" so that when I want to...
  13. D

    Windows 7 Please help. What is the default folder to which Windows 7 is installed?

    Please help. I have one answer I can not find for a quiz. What is the default folder to which Windows 7 is installed? c:\Windows c:\Winnt c:\win c:\system Also, I was unsure of this one too. What is the agreement that you have to accept when installing Windows? Is it...
  14. F

    Windows 7 Settiing Default Folder

    I am using Windows 7 and Office 2010. I would like to know how I can set up a default folder when opening up my Excel Files Your assistance in this regard will be most appreciated
    • Flupsie
    • Thread
    • configuration default folder excel file management office 2010 productivity windows 7
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  15. R

    Windows 7 Some Desktop Icons Missing

    My system is a Dell desktop running windows 7 64-bit home premium. I have 8 GB RAM, and a 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7 processor. I was fooling around with windows backup and restore and I created a new user account. I rebooted and noticed that in my primary user account, the one I always use (not the...
    • RickR
    • Thread
    • application backup corel windvd default folder dell desktop file recovery gadgets icon cache icons missing registry restore shortcuts system issues troubleshooting utility windows 7
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  16. D

    Windows 7 Moving default location of folders on a fresh install

    Ok i got a SSD awhile back and was able to install windows on it and have my users folder and default install folder on my normal HDD. It has worked ok till now but I'm sure i screwed a few things up when i did it because random programs still try to install on my SSD and when the install makes...
    • delciotto
    • Thread
    • clean install default folder file location hdd installation guide installation path ssd storage user folder windows installation
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  17. U

    Windows 7 how to change the default directory for a user account

    Default user account folder is: "C:\Users\MyUser". How can I change this folder to (for example): "D:\MyUser"? Regards,
  18. ragmaniac

    Windows 7 Those pesky DEFAULTS will be the death of me yet!

    Whenever I click on a picture to download onto my Windows 7 machine while in MS Internet Explorer 8, the picture is automatically saved in a Windows 7 DEFAULT folder, usually in USERS something or other. I want to be able to change this DEFAULT to a folder of my choice so that these picture...
    • ragmaniac
    • Thread
    • column width customization default folder file download file management internet explorer settings user preferences windows 7 windows interface
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  19. P

    Windows 7 change default directory for porgram files

    Is there a way to change the default directory for storing program files in Win7. I would like to use a different partition from the OS partition.
  20. P

    Windows 7 Games menu should be more like Pictures/Music etc

    The games menu item is not as flexible as the Pictures, Music and Documents menu items. It seems to be more hardcoded into the system. A few things I noticed: -Right-clicking on Games in the windows menu doesn't show the same options as the Documents, Pictures, and Music menu items. For example...
    • peljam
    • Thread
    • customization default folder exclusions flexibility game behavior game management game menu gaming services installed games libraries navigation pane options menu software management start menu system settings user experience user interface user preferences windows
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support