Windows 10: Downloaded files go into Documents and there is no Downloads folder on Windows 11

I wanted to make my Downloads a subfolder of Documents under OneDrive, instead somehow I don't have a Downloads folder any more and my downloaded files go directly into Documents folder. I no longer have Downloads on the left side of my file explorer, so I can't change its properties. I tried typing "shell:downloads" into the file explorer, but it just opens the documents folder. At this point I will be happy to just get it put anywhere else, but where it is now as long as it is a separate folder... I have Windows 11. Please help.

:)

 

Downloads folder is the Documents folder

Hi Chris,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

I suggest you to Restore to Default the folders and document settings and see if it helps.

Step 1:

Please follow below steps and check if it helps.

• Go to Download folder.
• Right click on the Download Folder and go to Properties.
• In Properties go to Location tab.
• In location Tab Click on Restore Default.

Step 2:

Please follow below steps and check if it helps.

• Go to Documents folder.
• Right click on the Document folder and go to Properties.
• In Properties go to Location tab.
• In location Tab Click on Restore Default.

After performing above steps change the settings as you required and check if it helps.

Hope these information helps, please get back to us for future support, we’ll be glad to assist you further.

Thank you.

 

Downloaded files disappear


When you download a file through any browser, there's an option somewhere to 'Open Containing Folder.'

In Windows, to find a file you have downloaded...

1. Open your personal folder by clicking the Start button and then clicking your user name at the top of the Start menu's right pane.
   
2. Double-click one of the following folders:
   
   • Downloads
     
   • Documents
     
   • Pictures
     
   • Videos
     
   • Music

If you do not see the file you are looking for, but know its file name, you can search for it by following these steps:
To search for a file you have downloaded...

1. Click the Start button
   
2. Type all or part of the file name into the Search box.
   The file you are looking for will appear in the list of results.

 

Windows 10 forced download

To stop the download, uninstall the KB3035583 update (under "Control Panel > Windows Update > Installed Updates").


To get rid of the C:\$Windows.~BT folder:

• Right-click on your C: drive.
• Select "Properties".
• Click on [ Disk Cleanup ]
• After the initial scan: If you have a [ Clean up system files ] button, click it and wait for the second scan to finish.
• Scroll down the list and look for "Temporary Windows installation files" (its size should be in the gigabytes range); check the box.
• Click on [ OK ] to start the clean-up.