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malvolio's avatar
malvolio
Copper Contributor
Oct 28, 2026

Downloads go to gallery

Since Windows added Gallery, all my downloads go there instead of to downloads and I can't find a way to change it. 
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malvolio's avatar
malvolio
Copper Contributor
Nov 01, 2026

As usual Microsoft does nothing whatsoever to solve my problem. 

  • Praisepaul's avatar
    Praisepaul
    Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
    Nov 01, 2026
    Hello malvolio​ ,

    Thanks for reporting this. Your downloads aren't actually being saved into Gallery. Gallery is a view, not a folder. It shows photos and videos from the folders in its collection, so your files are still on your PC. Usually one of three settings is pointing things to the wrong place, and the steps below should take about 5 minutes.

    Step 1: Check where your files are actually saved

    1. Open File Explorer and click Gallery.
    2. Right-click one of your downloaded files and choose Open file location.
    3. Look at the path in the address bar at the top:
      • If it ends in \Downloads, the files are in the right place. Go to Step 2.
      • If it ends in \Pictures or a folder inside Pictures, go to Steps 3 and 4.

    Step 2: Remove Downloads from Gallery

    1. In File Explorer, click Gallery.
    2. At the top, click Collection and then Manage collection.
    3. If Downloads is in the list, select it, click Remove, then click OK.

    Your files stay in Downloads. They just stop appearing in Gallery.

    Step 3: Point the Downloads folder back to its default location

    1. In File Explorer, right-click Downloads in the left-hand pane and choose Properties.
    2. Open the Location tab. The path should look like C:\Users\YourName\Downloads.
    3. If it shows something else, such as a Pictures folder, click Restore Default and then Apply.
    4. When Windows asks whether to move your existing files, click Yes.

    Step 4: Check your browser's download location

    • Microsoft Edge: Go to Settings > Downloads. Next to Location, click Change and select your Downloads folder.
    • Google Chrome: Go to Settings > Downloads. Next to Location, click Change and select your Downloads folder.

    Tip: For the next few downloads, turn on "Ask me what to do with each download" in Edge or "Ask where to save each file before downloading" in Chrome. That way you can see exactly where each file is going.

    Step 5 (optional): Make Downloads easier to find In File Explorer, right-click Downloads and select Pin to Quick access. It will then always be one click away at the top of the left-hand pane.

    If your downloads still don't land in the right place after these steps, please reply with:

    • A screenshot of the Downloads > Properties > Location tab.
    • Your Windows version. To find it, press Windows key + R, type winver and press Enter.

    Those two will help find the cause quickly.

    Best regards,

    Praise Paul