How to Change Folder Download Properties in Windows Vista

Every web browser has a default folder that downloaded files are sent to automatically. If you prefer to store your downloads in a different folder, you might be tired of navigating to the default folder every time you download a file. Thankfully, you can change the default download folder for Internet Explorer using the Windows Vista Registry Editor.

Instructions

1. Click the Windows logo and press the "R" key simultaneously to bring up the "Run" dialog box. Type "regedit" without quotation marks into the text box and press "Enter."

2. Use the folder tree on the left side of the window to navigate to "HKEY_CURRENT_USER" > "Software" > "Microsoft" > "Internet Explorer." Click the "Internet Explorer" folder.

3. Right-click in the open area on the right side of the window and click "New" followed by "String Value." Name the new value "Download Directory" (without quotation marks).

4. Double-click the "Download Directory" value. Type the full path to the folder that you would like to use in the box labeled "Value data" (e.g., "C:\Folder\Downloads").

5. Click "OK" and close the registry editor. Close Internet Explorer and reopen it. Files that you download in Internet Explorer will now be sent to the selected folder automatically.

References

• Windows XP MVPs: Change the Default Download Directory for Internet Explorer