Windows · Storage & Backup
Choose where new content is saved
Lets you set the default drive for new apps, documents, music, pictures, and videos, which is especially useful when a PC has both a small system drive and a larger secondary drive.
How to open Default Save Locations
- Open Settings → System → Storage
- Click 'Advanced storage settings' → 'Where new content is saved'
- Select a different drive from the dropdown next to each content type
- Confirm the move if prompted for existing folders
What you should know
- Choose a default install drive for new apps
- Set default save locations for documents, music, pictures, and videos
- Move existing folders to a different drive if space allows
- View available space on each connected drive at a glance
Why it matters
On devices with a small primary SSD paired with a larger secondary drive, correctly configuring default save locations prevents the system drive from filling up with new apps and media that could instead live on more spacious storage. This is particularly important for budget laptops and gaming PCs where the OS drive is often the fastest but smallest available option. Setting this up correctly once avoids the recurring hassle of manually redirecting installers and save dialogs to a different drive.
Best practices
- Point new app installs to a secondary drive if your system drive has limited free space
- Move large media libraries, like Pictures or Videos, off the system drive when possible
- Confirm the target drive has enough space before moving existing folders
- Revisit this setting after adding or replacing a drive
Common problems and fixes
- Changing the default location doesn't move existing files
- Use the 'Move' option prompted when changing a folder location, or manually move files afterward.
- New drive doesn't appear as an option
- Confirm the drive is initialized and formatted with a recognized file system in Disk Management.
- Some apps still install to the system drive despite the setting
- Certain apps hardcode their install path regardless of this default; use the app's own installer options if available.
Tips and tricks
- Combine with Storage Sense to keep the system drive clean automatically going forward
- Check available space on each drive from this same page before committing to a change
Frequently asked questions
Does this move files automatically?
New content follows the new default, but existing files require using the move prompt or manually relocating them.
Can I set different drives for different content types?
Yes, apps, documents, music, pictures, and videos each have independent default location settings.
Will this affect where Windows itself is installed?
No, this only affects new app installs and personal content, not the operating system's own location.
Related settings
- Storage SettingsStorage Settings let you view how much disk space is being used by apps, system files, temporary files, and media. You can free up space automatically using Storage Sense or manually remove unwanted files.
- Manage Disks and VolumesProvides a modern interface to view all connected physical disks and their volumes, letting you create, resize, format, or delete partitions without opening the legacy Disk Management console.
- Storage SenseStorage Sense automatically frees up disk space by deleting temporary files, emptying the Recycle Bin after a set number of days, and clearing out old files from your Downloads folder on a schedule you configure. Once set up, it runs quietly in the background so you don't have to remember to manually clean up disk clutter yourself.
More Storage & Backup guides for Windows
- BackupWindows Backup uses OneDrive to continuously back up your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders, along with your list of installed apps, saved Wi-Fi network passwords, and select personalization settings like your theme and wallpaper. It's designed to make restoring your setup on a new PC, or after a reset, far less painful than starting from scratch.
- File HistoryFile History is a legacy Control Panel backup tool that continuously copies versions of files in your libraries, desktop, contacts, and favorites to an external drive or network location. Unlike a single backup snapshot, it keeps multiple versions over time, letting you restore not just a deleted file but an earlier version of one you've since changed.
- OneDrive Sync SettingsConfigures how OneDrive syncs files between this PC and the cloud, including which folders sync, Files On-Demand behavior, and bandwidth limits for uploads and downloads.
- Disk CleanupScans your drive for temporary files, system caches, old Windows update files, and other reclaimable data, then lets you safely delete them to free up disk space.
- Storage SpacesLets you combine multiple physical drives into a single resilient storage pool, protecting against individual drive failure or expanding usable capacity across devices.
- Removable Storage AccessManages how Windows handles removable storage devices like USB drives and SD cards, including connection notifications, battery usage behavior, and transfer settings.