How to Change Your Default Hard Drive in Windows 11

By default, Windows 11 stores new files, apps, and certain system data on the drive where the operating system is installed (usually C:). If you’ve added a second or larger drive and want Windows to save new content there instead, you can reassign default locations for user folders, apps, page files, and more. This guide walks you through the main settings and steps.

Change Default Save Locations for New Content

Instead of saving everything to the C: drive, you can configure Windows to store new apps and files on the D: drive. By changing the default save location for apps and files, you can prevent your main drive from filling up quickly. 

1. Open Settings (Win + I) and go to System> Storage.

2. Click Advanced storage settings> Where new content is saved.

3. For each content type (Apps, Documents, Music, Photos and videos, Movies & TV shows), choose your preferred drive from its drop-down menu.

4. Click Apply to finish.

From now on, Windows will use the selected drive whenever you save new files of those types. However, the steps above only change where new apps and files will be saved in the future. Existing files and folders remain on the C: drive unless you move them manually.

Move Individual User Folders

If you already have a lot of data in your user profile but want entire folders (e.g., Downloads or Documents) on a different disk:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:Users<YourName>.

2. Right-click the folder you want to move (Downloads, Documents, etc.) and select Properties.

3. On the Location tab, click Move… and pick or create a matching folder on your new drive (for example, D:Downloads).

4. Click Select Folder, then Apply. Windows will offer to move all existing files to the new location, and confirm to migrate them.

Please move only personal folders, such as Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, and Videos. System folders, such as Windows, Program Files, and AppData, must remain on the C: drive, as moving them can cause Windows features or applications to malfunction. 

Move Installed Microsoft Store Apps to Another Drive

By default, Microsoft Store apps install on the system drive, but you can change that:

1. Open Settings> Apps> Installed apps. 

2. Scroll through the list and find the app you want to move. Click the three-dot menu next to it and select Move. 

3. Choose D: drive from the list and click Move again. Windows will transfer the app to the new location.

If the Move option is greyed out, it means the app either doesn’t support moving or your system setup doesn’t meet the required conditions.

Installing Applications to a New Drive

Most desktop programs let you pick an install location during setup:

1. Download or launch the installer.

2. When prompted for an install path, click Browse and navigate to a folder on your new drive (for example, D:Downloads).

3. Continue and complete installation. The program’s shortcuts, data, and registry entries will reference the new location.

Conclusion

Windows 11 offers flexible controls so that new files, apps, and even system memory files can live on the drive you choose. By adjusting save-location settings, moving user folders, and pointing apps to your secondary disk, you’ll free up space on your primary (C:) drive and make full use of any additional storage you’ve installed.