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Open Edge’s download settings
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Enter
edge://settings/downloadsin the address bar and press Enter. - Alternatively, open the three-dot menu, choose Settings, then select Downloads.
The page contains the Location setting and the option to ask where to save each download.
Change the default download folder
Use this option when you want Edge to save downloads in a different folder, such as a dedicated work, project, or external-drive folder.
- Go to Settings > Downloads.
- Under Location, select Change.
- Choose the destination folder in the operating system’s folder picker.
- On Windows, select Select Folder. On macOS, select Choose.
New downloads normally go to the selected directory. Existing files are not moved; transfer them separately in File Explorer or Finder if needed. A mandatory enterprise DownloadDirectory policy can override the folder you choose.
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Make Edge ask where to save every download
The save prompt is separate from the default folder. To choose a destination for each file:
- Open
edge://settings/downloads. - Turn on Ask me what to do with each download.
- Start a download and choose a filename and location when Edge prompts you.
This setting does not change the default download folder. Turn it off if you want downloads to go straight to the configured folder without a prompt. An administrator’s mandatory DownloadDirectory policy can take precedence over prompting.
How the two settings differ
| Edge setting | What it controls |
|---|---|
| Location > Change | The normal folder used for downloads. |
| Ask me what to do with each download | Whether Edge asks where to save each download. |
You can set a default location and leave prompting off for automatic saving, or enable prompting and choose a different destination for each file.
When Edge ignores your selected folder
A work or school installation may be controlled by Microsoft Edge policies. A mandatory DownloadDirectory policy forces Edge to use a specified directory, even if you selected another folder or enabled the save prompt.
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On Windows, administrators configure this policy in Local Group Policy Editor > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge > Set download directory. Its registry value is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\DownloadDirectory, stored as a REG_SZ string. Do not edit the registry on a managed computer unless your administrator instructs you to do so.
The policy catalog also includes DefaultDownloadDirectory, listed as Set default download directory. This recommended-only policy lets users change the folder in Edge settings. Microsoft documents it for Windows and macOS beginning with Edge 147, and it has no effect when DownloadDirectory is configured.
Configure the save prompt with Windows Group Policy
Administrators can control the prompt separately from the download directory. In Local Group Policy Editor, open Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge > Ask where to save downloaded files.
The policy key is PromptForDownloadLocation. Its registry location is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\PromptForDownloadLocation, and its value type is REG_DWORD. Microsoft’s example for disabling the policy uses 0x00000000. If the policy is not configured, the user can normally change the equivalent setting in Settings > Downloads.
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Forcing a directory and requesting a location are separate controls. A mandatory DownloadDirectory policy takes precedence over the user’s folder selection and prompting.
Check whether Edge policies are affecting downloads
- Open a new Edge tab.
- Enter
edge://policyin the address bar. - Look for policies such as
DownloadDirectory,DefaultDownloadDirectory,PromptForDownloadLocation, orDownloadRestrictions. - Select Reload policies if your administrator has recently changed a setting.
If a policy is listed as mandatory, changing the corresponding browser setting may have no lasting effect. Contact the organization managing the device if the configured path is incorrect or unavailable.
What happens if the enforced folder is invalid?
Microsoft documents different behavior depending on the problem:
- If the policy contains an invalid path, Edge falls back to the user’s default download directory.
- If the specified folder does not exist, Edge prompts the user to choose where to save the download.
- Edge does not silently create a missing folder because of the policy.
Why a download can still be blocked
A download location does not override Microsoft Defender SmartScreen or download restrictions. An administrator can configure the DownloadRestrictions policy, listed in Microsoft’s policy catalog as Allow download restrictions.
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| Value | Policy behavior |
|---|---|
0 / DefaultDownloadSecurity |
No special restrictions; normal SmartScreen checks apply. |
1 / BlockDangerousDownloads |
Blocks malicious downloads and dangerous file types. |
2 / BlockPotentiallyDangerousDownloads |
Blocks potentially dangerous or unwanted downloads and dangerous file types. |
3 / BlockAllDownloads |
Blocks all downloads. |
4 / BlockMaliciousDownloads |
Blocks downloads identified as malicious. |
These restrictions apply to downloads started by web-page content and the download-link context-menu command. They do not apply to saving the page currently displayed or using Save as PDF from the print dialog.
Platform and profile limitations
Microsoft documents the PromptForDownloadLocation, DownloadDirectory, and DownloadRestrictions policies for Windows and macOS Edge 77 or later. Prompting and download restrictions are documented for Android 140 or later, but download-directory policies are not supported on Android. These policies are not supported on iOS.
The policies are per profile, but Microsoft notes that they do not apply to a profile signed in with a Microsoft account. Download behavior can therefore differ between local, work, and Microsoft-account profiles. Check the active profile when troubleshooting an inconsistent setting.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
How do I change where Microsoft Edge downloads files?
Open edge://settings/downloads, select Change beside Location, choose a folder, and confirm with Select Folder on Windows or Choose on macOS.
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How do I make Edge ask me where to save each file?
Go to Settings > Downloads and turn on Ask me what to do with each download. Edge will ask for a location before each download unless a mandatory policy takes precedence.
Why does Edge keep using the old download folder?
A mandatory enterprise DownloadDirectory policy may enforce another path. Check edge://policy and confirm that you changed the setting in the correct Edge profile.
Does asking where to save files change Edge’s default download folder?
No. The prompt setting only asks for a location before each download. The default folder is controlled separately by Location.
Why is Edge blocking a download after I changed the folder?
The file may be blocked by Microsoft Defender SmartScreen or the DownloadRestrictions policy. Changing the destination does not disable those security controls.
Will Edge create an enforced download folder if it does not exist?
No. Microsoft’s policy documentation says Edge prompts the user to choose where to save the file when the specified folder does not exist.
The Bottom Line
Use Settings > Downloads to change Edge’s normal download folder or enable Ask me what to do with each download. These are separate settings. If an option fails on a work or school device, check edge://policy: a mandatory DownloadDirectory policy, profile-specific configuration, or download security restrictions may control the result.
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