Change Location of Desktop Folders on Windows 10/11 2024

How do I change the location of the desktop folder in Windows 11/10? This article will post reliable ways to move personal folder locations and change desktop folder location.

Get Everything About Change Location of Desktop Folder:

In this article, we post two solutions to change Desktop folders on Windows 11/10: PC data migration software and file explorer. If you also keep a Mac device, you are lucky to get tips for moving user folders on Mac. 

Where Is the Desktop Location in Windows 11/10

When you use windows11 or windows10, the Desktop displays default software, downloaded applications, files, folders, shortcuts, images, and more. You are free to manage what is said on the Desktop. The initial location of desktop files is usually on drive C. 

Default path: C:\Users\Public\Desktop or C:\Users\admin\Desktop

How Do I Change Desktop Folders Location Windows 10/11

It is easy to move your desktop folder to a new folder. Let's see the how-to guide below.

Option 1. Using PC Data Migration Software to Move Desktop Folder

EaseUS Todo PCTrans allows you to change Desktop folders location with simple clicks. Unlike the manual ways, it comes with a "large file cleanup" feature and allows you to batch-change the location of desktop folders. This tool works well on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Moreover, it is designed for beginners with a clear interface, making it easy to use.  Download software to enjoy the quick change of Desktop Folders Location:

How to Move Desktop Folder:

Step 1. Click "Large File Cleanup" on the left panel, and click "Start" button.

Step 2. Select "Folder" tab, check the folders you want to move. Choose target drive and click "Move" button.

Step 3. Wait for moving process completes. Click "Finish".

Note: You can click the "Restore" button to restore the current folder to the default location.

Following this guide, you can quickly change the desktop folder locations. EaseUS Todo PCTrans provides other advanced features to help transfer, such as:

• PC to PC Transfer: One click transfer desktop folders(Music, files, folders, downloads, user folders) to another desktop.
• App Migration: Transfer programs/software to another drive or another PC.
• Large File Cleanup: Locate the large files and transfer them to another drive to get more free space.

Option 2. Manually Change Desktop Folder on Windows 11/10

Windows 11 and Windows OS have several unique features that let you customize the device as you like. Of course, you can move the desktop folder to another location via a built-in tool - File Explorer.

With File Explorer, your Desktop folder gets a new place quickly. But it can be troublesome to

In this part, we will show you how to click on the "Move" button and explain the solution to fix "Not able to change the location of desktop folder."

Step 1. Locate your Desktop folder's location in these two ways below:

1. Open File Explorer from the taskbar > Navigate to This PC part > Click C drive (Common path: This PC/Local Disk (C:) > Users > Admin) > Locate folder named "Desktop".

2. Press Windows + R to evoke the Run box > Type "." and then click OK.

Step 2. Right-click the Desktop folder and choose "Properties" from the menu.

Step 3. Select the Location tab of the Desktop window. Under the current location, click the "Move..." button.

Step 4. It wakes up the window to select a destination where you choose to keep the Desktop folder. If there are fewer idle options, you can create a new folder and move the targeted folder to it.

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Can't Change Desktop Folder Windows 11/10? What Can We Do?

When the "Location tab doesn't show up" happens, the reason may refer to you changing the default location of the personal folder. So you can follow the steps to restore the default location by using Registry.

Step 1. Open Registry Editor (2 options).

1. Click on the Search icon and type "registry editor."

2. Press Windows + R to open the Run box. Then type "Regedit" and hit Enter.

Step 2. Navigate this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

Step 3. On the right side, locate the Desktop. And double-click it. Or right-click it and select "Modify."

Step 4. Change value as %USERPROFILE%\Desktop (In the wrong word, it is good to copy and paste.) Save the change and close the Registry Editor.

Step 5. Restart Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.

Now, go to C drive and click on the Desktop folder. The location tab from Properties shows up again. If this advice is not helpful, you can go back to using the PC data migration software.

More Useful Tips: Change User Folder Location Mac

Note: Do a backup first and start to move your Home folder on Mac.

Step 1. Open Finder.

1. Press Option + Command + Space to open a "Searching This Mac" window.

2. Press Command + N to open a Finder window.

Step 2. Go to the Users folder.

Follow the path like: /Macintosh HD/Users.

Step 3. Choose the home folder and directly drag it to the new drive.

Step 4. Click the Apple icon and select System Preferences from the menu.

Step 5. Click the Users & Groups.

Step 6. Click the yellow lock icon and enter the administrator password.

Step 7. Right-click on the account you just moved Home folder, and then choose Advanced Options.

Step 8. Click the "Choose" button from the menu. Then go to the target location your folder located > Select the new folder and click the "Open" button on the bottom right side.

Step 9. Click OK to turn off the sheet on the Advanced Options panel, then close the System Preferences.

Step 10. Time to restart your Mac device, and then you'll see the folder in the new destination.

Conclusion

There are two options to set up your folder on Windows PC: 

• Quick migration - EaseUS Todo PCTrans (Recommend)
• Manual - File Explorer