How to Change Microsoft Teams Download Location
Changing the Microsoft Teams download location lets you save shared files to a specific project folder or an external drive instead of filling up your default 📁C:\
You can update this path directly inside the Teams settings menu to keep your storage organized across any folder on your PC.
Change the Microsoft Teams download location by going to Settings, then Files and links, and clicking the Change button under Downloads. Select your desired folder to save files directly to a new location. This setting applies only to the Teams desktop app.
How to Change Teams Download Location
Microsoft Teams lets you change Teams download location through the app settings so your files go straight to a folder of your choice instead of the default Downloads folder. Open the Microsoft Teams desktop app, click the three dots near your profile picture, select Settings, and go to the Files and links tab to pick a new download path.
1. Open the Microsoft Teams app.
2. Click the Settings and more (…) icon near your profile picture.
Changing download locations in a web browser is done through the browser’s own settings, not within Teams.
3. Select Settings from the menu.
4. Click the Files and links tab on the left.
5. Under the Downloads section, click the Change button.
6. Pick your preferred folder and click Select Folder.
Browser vs. Desktop Client Differences
The Teams desktop app and the web version handle downloads separately. Changing the location in one does not affect the other.
On macOS, the default download location for Teams files is typically your Downloads folder. To change this for the desktop app, follow the same steps as for Windows.
Latest Update
The Teams desktop app and the web version handle downloads separately. Changing the location in one does not affect the other. For the web version, you must change the download location within your browser's settings.
Troubleshooting Permission Issues
Permission issues block you from changing your Teams download location when your Windows user account lacks write access to the selected folder or when security software blocks the app. Fix this by picking a folder inside your personal user profile, running Teams as an administrator, or checking your antivirus settings to make sure Teams can save files there.
If you're having trouble changing your Teams download location, it's often because of permission issues with certain folders.
Syncing with OneDrive and SharePoint
Microsoft Teams stores files in SharePoint or OneDrive, and downloading them creates a local copy on your computer.
The default download location for the Teams desktop client on Windows is usually C:\Users\\Downloads. For macOS, it's typically /Users//Downloads.
Comparison Table: Download Behavior
| Platform | Control Method |
|---|---|
| Teams Desktop App | Teams Settings Menu |
| Web Browser | Browser Download Settings |
| Mobile App | System File Manager |
Summary
Changing your Teams download location helps you stay organized. You can move files to a secondary drive or a specific project folder to save space on your main drive. Remember that the desktop app and web browsers manage files differently. For more official guidance, visit the Microsoft Support website.
What's new
- Teams now supports setting a custom download location directly within the app settings for the desktop client.
- Previous versions required workarounds or relied solely on browser settings for web downloads.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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