If your primary drive is choking on updates and downloads, the most effective fix in Windows 11 is not a single switch but a series of smart redirects: tell Windows where to save new content, move your personal folders, relocate supported Microsoft Store apps, pick alternative libraries for game launchers, and update browser download paths—all pointing to your D: drive while leaving critical system files on C:.
On a clean Windows 11 installation, the operating system, drivers, and most apps default to the system volume, usually labeled C:. Over time, this drive accumulates payloads from Windows Update, temp files, games, and media. When free space runs low, you can see slower performance, failed updates, and errors during app installs. Moving everything off C: sounds tempting, but some locations must remain where they are. The safe, supported way to “change the default hard drive” is to adjust several Windows settings that control where new content goes and to move only those folders that Windows explicitly supports moving.
This guide consolidates the practical steps and adds context, caveats, and recovery tips so you can confidently re-balance storage in Windows 11—without breaking your system.
Use this only for application‑specific caches you understand. Do not junction Program Files, Windows, or AppData. Remember, servicing and security tools may ignore or mishandle linked paths.
Source: The Windows Club How to change default hard drive from C: to D: in Windows 11
On a clean Windows 11 installation, the operating system, drivers, and most apps default to the system volume, usually labeled C:. Over time, this drive accumulates payloads from Windows Update, temp files, games, and media. When free space runs low, you can see slower performance, failed updates, and errors during app installs. Moving everything off C: sounds tempting, but some locations must remain where they are. The safe, supported way to “change the default hard drive” is to adjust several Windows settings that control where new content goes and to move only those folders that Windows explicitly supports moving.This guide consolidates the practical steps and adds context, caveats, and recovery tips so you can confidently re-balance storage in Windows 11—without breaking your system.
What “changing the default drive” really means
There is no global toggle that changes every path from C: to D:. Instead, Windows spreads default locations across different features:- Where new content is saved (apps, documents, music, photos/videos, movies/TV)
- Known Folder locations (Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, Videos, Desktop)
- Microsoft Store app install locations and app-by-app Move
- Win32/desktop app installers (per-app custom path during setup)
- Browser download directories
- Game launchers’ library folders (Steam, Xbox, Epic, Battle.net, Ubisoft, EA)
Quick-start: the essential steps
If you just need the short version, do these in order:- Set default save locations to D: in Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved.
- Move Known Folders (Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, Videos, Desktop) via each folder’s Properties > Location tab to equivalent folders on D:.
- For Microsoft Store apps, use Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Move (when available) to relocate large apps, and set the Store’s default install drive to D:.
- Configure game launchers (Steam/Xbox/Epic/etc.) to use D:\Games or similar, and move existing games to the new library when supported.
- Set your browser’s download folder to D:\Downloads, or finish the Known Folder move so it inherits automatically.
- Leave Windows, Program Files, Program Files (x86), and AppData on C: to avoid breakage.
Configure default save locations for new content
Windows 11 lets you choose the destination drive for several categories of new content. This is the quickest win for future growth.Steps
- Press Win+I to open Settings.
- Navigate to System > Storage.
- Expand Advanced storage settings.
- Select Where new content is saved.
- For each category, choose D: (or your preferred secondary drive), then click Apply:
- New apps will save to
- New documents will save to
- New music will save to
- New photos and videos will save to
- New movies and TV shows will save to
What this does (and doesn’t)
- It changes only where future content is created or installed. Existing items remain where they are.
- Some categories are advisory for apps that respect Windows APIs. Legacy installers may still default to C: unless you change their path during setup.
- This setting doesn’t move system components, Windows Update, or drivers.
Move your personal “Known Folders” to D:
Windows officially supports relocating your user profile’s major content folders. This method moves existing files and tells Windows—and most apps—to use the new location automatically.Safe folders to move
- Desktop
- Documents
- Downloads
- Pictures
- Music
- Videos
Steps
- Press Win+E to open File Explorer.
- Under This PC, right‑click a folder like Documents and choose Properties.
- Open the Location tab and click Move.
- Browse to D:, create or select the destination folder (for example, D:\Users\YourName\Documents), then click Select Folder.
- Click Apply, then choose Yes to move existing files.
- Repeat for Downloads, Pictures, Music, Videos, and Desktop.
Best practices
- Create a clear, consistent structure on D:, such as D:\Users\YourName\Documents, D:\Users\YourName\Downloads, and so on.
- Use the Location tab for each folder rather than dragging folders manually.
- If you see “The folder can’t be moved here,” create a new top-level folder (e.g., D:\Users\YourName\Documents), and ensure you’re not redirecting into another known folder’s subdirectory.
Reverting
To undo a move, return to the Location tab and click Restore Default. Windows will offer to move files back.Move Microsoft Store apps and change their install drive
Microsoft Store apps (including many games) adhere to system storage policies and can often be moved.Move an installed Store app
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find the app, click the three‑dot button, choose Move.
- Select D:, then click Move to transfer the app.
Change the default install drive for future Store apps
- Open Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved.
- Set “New apps will save to” as D:.
Requirements and caveats
- The destination drive should be NTFS and always available. If you install a Store app to an external drive and disconnect it, the app won’t run until the drive is reattached.
- Some preinstalled or security‑sensitive apps cannot be moved.
Install desktop apps to D: (Win32)
Traditional desktop applications typically offer a Custom or Advanced option during installation. Watch for an “Install to” or “Destination folder” field and change it to a folder on D:, such as D:\Apps or D:\Programs.Tips for desktop apps
- Keep paths short (D:\Apps\Vendor\AppName) to avoid legacy MAX_PATH issues with older software.
- Prefer installing very large apps, creative suites, and IDEs to D: if space is tight on C:.
- Do not attempt to move existing desktop apps by copying folders; uninstall and reinstall to D: to preserve registry entries and services.
Make your browser download to D:
If you moved the Downloads known folder, most browsers will follow the new path automatically. If you previously set a custom path, update it:- Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome
- Settings > Downloads (Edge) or Settings > Advanced > Downloads (Chrome)
- Change Location to D:\Downloads (or your chosen folder)
- Firefox
- Settings > General > Files and Applications > Downloads
- Select “Save files to,” then browse to a D: folder
Game launchers: build libraries on D:
Games can dominate your storage footprint. Every major launcher lets you pick a library on D:.Steam
- Steam > Settings > Storage > “+” to add a library folder (e.g., D:\SteamLibrary).
- Right‑click a game > Manage > Move install folder to shift existing games.
Xbox (PC Game Pass)
- Xbox app > Settings > General > Change folder under “Game install options” (choose D:\XboxGames or similar).
- Many games support “Move” under Apps > Installed apps. If blocked, uninstall and reinstall to the D: library.
Epic Games Launcher
- Click your profile > Settings > Downloads > Install Location.
- To move existing games, uninstall and reinstall to D:, or use the launcher’s Move features if available for the title.
Battle.net, Ubisoft Connect, EA app
- Each offers a settings page to define default libraries and, for many titles, a move or scan‑and‑repair flow that recognizes games relocated to D:.
What not to move
Changing the default drive is about data—not the operating system skeleton. Keep these on C:.- Windows and WinRE
- Program Files and Program Files (x86)
- ProgramData
- AppData (Roaming, Local, LocalLow)
- Windows Update components
Frequently asked questions
Can I install Windows on D: instead of C:?
You can choose any partition during Setup using “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).” However, once Windows boots into the new installation, it typically assigns its own system volume the letter C:. If you kept the old installation, you’ll end up with a dual‑boot system, and the currently booted Windows will usually see itself as C:. If you want only the new system, back up your data, remove or format the old Windows partition, and allow the new system to be the sole installation.Can I make Windows Update download to D:?
Not directly. Windows Update uses the system drive and expects servicing components on C:. You can reduce C: pressure by moving personal folders and apps, limiting Delivery Optimization cache size, and cleaning up temporary files via Storage Sense. Changing Update’s core paths is unsupported and risky.What about OneDrive and Known Folder Move?
OneDrive’s Known Folder Move redirects Desktop, Documents, and Pictures into your OneDrive cloud path, which you can sync to D: if you relocate the OneDrive folder there. Move OneDrive’s root folder to D: first, then enable Known Folder Move. Avoid pointing OneDrive’s location inside another redirected Known Folder to prevent path loops.Advanced options (with caution)
Power users sometimes consider filesystem links to “fake” a move of stubborn folders. Use these sparingly and only for non‑system data.Junctions and symbolic links
You can create a directory junction that points a folder on C: to D:, for example:mklink /J "C:\Users\YourName\Cache" "D:\Cache"Use this only for application‑specific caches you understand. Do not junction Program Files, Windows, or AppData. Remember, servicing and security tools may ignore or mishandle linked paths.
Moving app data for specific tools
Some applications let you configure cache or project directories in their settings (e.g., Adobe scratch disks, IDE build caches, browser profiles). Prefer those in‑app options over filesystem tricks.Planning and preparation
Before moving anything, make a storage plan:- Map what’s consuming space on C: (Settings > System > Storage > Storage breakdown).
- Decide which categories to move first: large media, downloads, games.
- Create a tidy folder structure on D::
- D:\Users\YourName\Downloads
- D:\Users\YourName\Documents
- D:\Users\YourName\Pictures
- D:\Apps
- D:\Games
- Ensure D: is formatted as NTFS. Store apps and many features require NTFS.
- If you use BitLocker on C:, consider enabling BitLocker on D: to maintain consistent protection.
- Back up important files. Moving folders is reliable, but backups are non‑negotiable.
Performance considerations
- Drive speed matters. Installing apps or games to a slower HDD can increase load times. If possible, use an SSD for D:.
- Keep some free space on C:. Windows benefits from headroom for updates, pagefile growth, and temp files. A good baseline is 20–30 GB free, more for big feature updates.
- Don’t disable the pagefile or move it arbitrarily; Windows manages it best on the system drive.
Security and reliability
- Maintain consistent encryption. If C: is encrypted, encrypt D: as well—especially when moving personal folders.
- Check permissions. When you create folders on D:, inherit permissions from the drive root so user profiles and apps can read/write without manual ACL surgery.
- Stable availability. If you install apps or store data on an external or removable drive, keep it connected. Disconnecting a drive that hosts Store apps or game libraries will render them unusable until reattached.
Troubleshooting guide
“The folder can’t be moved here” when changing a Known Folder location
- Create a brand‑new target (e.g., D:\Users\YourName\Pictures) rather than a subfolder inside another Known Folder.
- Ensure the folder is empty before redirecting to it.
The Move button is missing or disabled for a Microsoft Store app
- Some apps are system‑protected or don’t support moving.
- Confirm the target drive is NTFS and online.
- Try closing the app, then retry Move. If still blocked, uninstall and reinstall to D: after setting the Store’s default install drive.
“We couldn’t set your default save location”
- Reboot and try again; background servicing can lock the setting.
- Verify Storage Service is running and that D: is NTFS with adequate free space.
Browser still downloads to C:
- If you previously set a custom download folder, it overrides the Known Folder move. Update the browser’s download setting directly.
- For profiles or portable browsers, check per‑profile download paths.
Games fail to launch after moving
- For Steam, validate files and ensure the library folder is registered under Settings > Storage.
- For Xbox app, open Settings > General and ensure the install folder points to D:. Use Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps to Move or Repair the title.
- For Epic, change the install location, then reinstall if the launcher doesn’t recognize the move.
Managing backups after the move
Changing default save locations changes your backup landscape:- File History and other tools won’t automatically back up new custom folders unless they’re included. Review your backup set and add D:\Users\YourName\… and any D:\Apps data folders.
- The Windows Backup app focuses on Microsoft account‑synced data; if you store large local libraries on D:, use a dedicated backup solution (local or cloud) that covers the entire drive.
- For game saves, many sync to the cloud; others live under Documents or AppData (which you should not move). Back up those paths explicitly.
Enterprise and advanced deployment notes
- Avoid relocating the entire Users or ProgramData trees via unsupported methods. While it’s technically possible during specialized imaging scenarios, it can cause feature upgrades to fail and complicate servicing. The supported approach is per‑folder redirection and modern management tools (e.g., OneDrive Known Folder Move).
- When using roaming profiles or folder redirection in domain environments, coordinate with your administrator. Local Location‑tab moves can conflict with centralized policies.
A safer, smarter “default D:” strategy
Think of your C: drive as the engine bay: it should host the operating system, drivers, and a few core tools. Your D: drive is the cargo hold for apps, games, and personal content. The steps below consolidate the recommended approach.Recommended configuration checklist
- Set Where new content is saved to D: for all categories.
- Move Known Folders (Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, Videos, Desktop) to D:\Users\YourName\…
- For Microsoft Store: set default install drive to D: and move eligible apps.
- For desktop apps: choose D:\Apps during installation.
- For games: create D:\Games libraries in Steam/Xbox/Epic/etc., and migrate existing titles where supported.
- For browsers: confirm downloads go to D:\Users\YourName\Downloads.
- Keep 20–30 GB or more free on C:, and enable Storage Sense to tidy temp files.
- Encrypt D: if you use BitLocker on C:.
Step‑by‑step walkthrough: a practical example
Below is a concise, sequential flow you can follow on a freshly space‑constrained PC.- Create folders on D::
- D:\Users\YourName\Desktop
- D:\Users\YourName\Documents
- D:\Users\YourName\Downloads
- D:\Users\YourName\Pictures
- D:\Users\YourName\Music
- D:\Users\YourName\Videos
- D:\Apps
- D:\Games
- Move Known Folders:
- For each folder (Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, Videos, Desktop), use Properties > Location > Move and select the corresponding D:\Users\YourName\… folder.
- Set save locations:
- Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved.
- Choose D: for apps, documents, music, photos/videos, and movies/TV.
- Configure Store apps:
- In the Microsoft Store and Settings > Apps > Installed apps, move eligible apps and set default installs to D:.
- Configure game libraries:
- Steam > Settings > Storage > add D:\Games; move big titles.
- Xbox app > Settings > General > Change folder to D:\XboxGames; reinstall/move as supported.
- Repeat for Epic/Battle.net/Ubisoft/EA.
- Update browser downloads:
- Edge/Chrome/Firefox > Settings > Downloads > change folder to D:\Users\YourName\Downloads.
- Turn on Storage Sense:
- Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense, enable automatic cleanup on C: to manage temp files and Recycle Bin.
- Enable BitLocker on D: (optional but recommended):
- Control Panel > BitLocker Drive Encryption > Turn on BitLocker for D:.
Risks and how to mitigate them
Every change has trade‑offs. Here’s what to watch for.- App compatibility: A small minority of legacy apps assume C:\ paths. If an app misbehaves when installed to D:, reinstall it on C: instead.
- External drives: Installing Store apps or games to removable media can cause launch errors when the drive isn’t attached. Prefer internal drives for reliability.
- Permissions drift: If you manually copy folders instead of using the Location tab, ACLs can go sideways. Always use the built‑in move dialog for Known Folders.
- Upgrade resilience: Unsupported attempts to move core system locations can break Windows feature updates. Keep system folders on C: and use supported moves only.
- Performance variance: HDDs are slower. Consider an SSD for D:, or keep performance‑sensitive apps on C:.
Beyond storage: keeping C: healthy
Even after moving defaults, it’s wise to maintain the system volume.- Use Windows Security and keep device drivers up to date.
- Periodically run Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense to reclaim temp space.
- Let Windows manage the pagefile automatically.
- Keep a small buffer on C: in case a big feature update needs space.
The bottom line
Making D: the default in Windows 11 is a collection of focused adjustments rather than a single toggle. By changing where new content is saved, relocating your Known Folders, moving Microsoft Store apps, directing browsers and game launchers to D:, and leaving the Windows plumbing untouched, you reclaim precious space on C: without inviting instability. The result is a cleaner, faster system that stays ready for updates and growth—no hacks required, just good storage hygiene and a few minutes of thoughtful setup.Source: The Windows Club How to change default hard drive from C: to D: in Windows 11