How to Change the Default Installation Location on Windows 10

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

The “C” drive is the default installation location destination in Windows. Anything you install there will use up your computer's storage. Windows 10 allows you to install Windows Store apps on an external hard drive, instead, if you'd like to. This wikiHow will teach you how to make the switch.

Things You Should Know

  • You can change the default software installation path in the "Storage" area of your "System" settings.
  • You'll also be able to specify the default location to which you want to save new documents, music, photos, videos, movies, and TV shows.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Windows-Settings-icon.png\/460px-Windows-Settings-icon.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Windows-Settings-icon.png\/728px-Windows-Settings-icon.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":296,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":468,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    1
    Go to the Settings panel. Open the Start menu by clicking on the Windows icon and hit the Settings gear icon from the left side.
    • Alternatively, press  ⊞ Win + I  to quickly launch the Settings  panel.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Win10%3B-system-settings.png\/460px-Win10%3B-system-settings.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Win10%3B-system-settings.png\/728px-Win10%3B-system-settings.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":279,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":442,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    2
    Click on the System settings. It's the first option with a laptop icon.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Win10%3B-storage-settings.png\/460px-Win10%3B-storage-settings.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Win10%3B-storage-settings.png\/728px-Win10%3B-storage-settings.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":279,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":441,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    3
    Select the Storage option from the left panel. It will be the sixth option in there.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Change-the-Default-Installation-Location-on-Windows-10.png\/460px-Change-the-Default-Installation-Location-on-Windows-10.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Change-the-Default-Installation-Location-on-Windows-10.png\/728px-Change-the-Default-Installation-Location-on-Windows-10.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":266,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":421,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    4
    Navigate to the “More storage settings” section. Click on the  Change where new content is saved option, under the  More storage settings title.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Change-the-Default-Installation-Location-on-Windows.png\/460px-Change-the-Default-Installation-Location-on-Windows.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Change-the-Default-Installation-Location-on-Windows.png\/728px-Change-the-Default-Installation-Location-on-Windows.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":263,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":416,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    5
    Select a drive from the New apps will save to box. Click on the This PC (C:) box and choose a drive from the list.
    • Make sure that your drive has the essential storage to install new apps in the future.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Change-Default-Installation-Location-on-Windows-10.png\/460px-Change-Default-Installation-Location-on-Windows-10.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Change-Default-Installation-Location-on-Windows-10.png\/728px-Change-Default-Installation-Location-on-Windows-10.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":285,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":451,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    6
    Click on the Apply button to save your changes.  Now you can install Windows Store apps on your desired hard drive. Finished!
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • You can also move the Windows Store apps to another drive from the “Apps & features” settings.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      3 Quick Ways to Uninstall Windows 10 Store Apps
      Turn Off Microsoft Defender in Windows 10: Temporarily or Permanently
      How to
      Change the Screen Brightness in Windows 10: A Quick Guide
      How to
      Recover Permanently Deleted Files in Windows 10
      How to
      Install Windows 10
      How to
      Show Image Previews in Windows 10 & 11
      How to
      Use Function Keys Without Pressing Fn on Windows 10
      4 Easy Ways to Turn Off Automatic Updates in Windows 10
      How to
      Screenshot in Windows 10
      A Guide to Checking if Your Firewall Is Blocking Something
      How to
      Adjust Brightness on Windows 10 Using the Keyboard
      How to
      Completely Uninstall the Riot Games Client & Vanguard
      How to
      Set Video As Wallpaper in Windows 10
      How to
      Test Your Laptop’s Battery Health in Windows 10
      Advertisement

      References

      1. https://www.windowscentral.com/how-install-apps-separate-drive-windows-10

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 104,438 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement