To change where new apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store are saved, you can adjust the settings within the Microsoft Store app itself. Here's how:
-
Open the Microsoft Store: Find the Microsoft Store app icon on your taskbar or in your Start Menu and click it to open.
-
Access Settings: Click on the three-dot menu icon ( ... ) located in the top-right corner of the Microsoft Store window. From the dropdown menu, select "Settings."
-
Navigate to Downloads: Scroll down within the Settings menu until you find the "Downloads" section.
-
Change the Download Location: Under "New apps will save to," you'll see the current default drive. Click the dropdown menu below that. You'll likely see options like "This PC (C:)" or a different drive if you have multiple drives available.
-
Select a New Drive: Choose the drive you want new apps to be installed on from the dropdown menu. You might have options like "D: drive" or another drive letter.
-
Restart if Necessary: In some cases, a restart might be required for the changes to fully take effect.
Important Considerations:
- Drive Space: Ensure the drive you select has sufficient free space for future app installations.
- Drive Type: While most drives work fine, consider the type of drive (SSD vs. HDD). SSDs generally offer faster app loading times.
- Existing Apps: Changing this setting only affects new app installations. Existing apps will remain on the drive they were originally installed on. To move existing apps, you'll need to do that through the Windows Settings app (Apps & Features).
By following these steps, you can successfully change the default download location for your Windows apps from the Microsoft Store.
