Chrome and Firefox normally save downloads to the Downloads folder automatically. That is convenient until the folder fills with installers, PDFs, images, and random files. Both browsers let you choose a different folder or ask where each file should go.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Chrome or Firefox on Windows or Mac when you want downloads saved somewhere else, or when you want the browser to ask for a location every time.
Change the download folder in Chrome
Chrome keeps download location settings in its Downloads section.
- Click the three-dot menu in Chrome.
- Open Settings.
- Choose Downloads from the left menu.
- Next to Location, click Change.
- Pick the folder you want and confirm with Select Folder on Windows or Choose on Mac.
- Turn on Ask where to save each file before downloading if you want a prompt every time.
Future Chrome downloads use the chosen folder unless you enable the ask-each-time option.
Change the download folder in Firefox
Firefox uses a similar setting under General.
- Click the Firefox menu button.
- Open Settings.
- Stay on the General tab.
- Scroll to Files and Applications.
- Under Downloads, click Browse next to Save files to and choose a folder.
- Select Always ask you where to save files if you want Firefox to prompt each time.
More control
Find a file you already downloaded
Open the downloads list from the download icon near the address bar. You can also press Ctrl+J on Windows. On Mac, use Cmd+Shift+J in Chrome or Cmd+J in Firefox. Use the folder icon beside a download to open its location.
Be careful with external and network drives
You can choose an external drive or network share, but downloads may fail or ask for another location if that drive is disconnected. For reliability, download locally first and move files afterward.
Choose a one-time location
Right-click many download links and choose Save Link As. This lets you save one file somewhere else without changing the browser default.
Sources
- Google Chrome Help – Change download settings (2025)
- Mozilla Support – Change where Firefox saves downloaded files (2025)
- Mozilla Support – Downloads panel and settings in Firefox (2025)