How to Change Where New Apps Will Save to in Windows 11

By default, Windows 11 installs every new Microsoft Store app on your system drive (C:). Over time that eats into your free space, especially if you install large apps and games. You can change the default so that future Store downloads go to a second hard drive, a solid-state drive (SSD), or a USB drive instead.

This is a good fix when C: is getting full and you have another drive with room to spare. The same setting is available in Windows 11 Home and Pro.

Before you start, check these points:

• The drive must be formatted as NTFS. Windows will not use a drive with another file system, such as FAT32 or exFAT, for new apps. If your drive uses one of those, the option may not work for it.
• The drive must be connected and visible in File Explorer 📁. If you pick an external drive, keep it plugged in. Apps stored on a USB drive will not open when the drive is unplugged.
• The change only affects apps you install afterward. Apps already on C: stay where they are. They are not moved automatically.
• It only applies to Microsoft Store apps. Traditional desktop programs installed from an .exe or .msi file ask for their own install location during setup, so this setting does not control them.

You do not need to restart your 🔄 PC after changing the setting. If you want to undo it later, go back to the same setting and choose C: again. Apps you installed on the other drive in the meantime will stay there.

Important Things to Know:

Before you change app install location Windows 11, you need to know that this setting only applies to future downloads and will not move apps already on your computer. If you choose an external drive, you must keep it plugged into your PC so those applications continue to work properly every time you want to use them.

• Windows 11 only installs new apps to your selected location. It will not move apps that are already installed.
• If you unplug the drive you selected, apps on that drive will stop working until you plug it back in.
• If you unplug the drive, Windows will install new apps back to your “Local Disk (C)” drive until you reconnect it. Apps installed during this time will stay on your C drive.
• Windows will create a WindowsApps folder on the root of your selected drive when you install a new app there.

Here’s How:

1. Open Settings ⚙️. Press Win+I on your keyboard.
2. Click on System on the left side. Then click on Storage on the right side.
3. [ADMIN PRIVILEGES REQUIRED] Click on Yes if prompted by User Account Control. Starting with Windows 11 build 26100.7705 (24H2) and build 26200.7705 (25H2), Windows now shows a User Account Control (UAC) prompt when you open Storage settings to protect system files.  Open Storage settings UAC
4. Click on Advanced storage settings on the right side to expand it. Then click on Where new content is saved.  Open “Where new content is saved” settings
5. Click on the New apps will save to drop-down menu. Select the drive you want to use.
6. Click on Apply to save your changes.
7. If you see a prompt asking “Delete other apps?”, click Yes or No depending on what you want to do. If you click No, this drive will not be used to save new apps.
8. When you’re done, you can close Settings.

To change app install location Windows 11, open the Settings ⚙️ app by pressing the Win plus I on your keyboard. From there, select System on the left menu and click on Storage to find the option that lets you choose where new applications and games save on your hard drive.

Summary

You can easily change where new apps will save to in Windows 11 if your C drive is running low on space, by adjusting a simple setting.