On Windows computers, web browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge save all downloaded files to the Downloads folder, which is present under the user profile folder.
If you often download files from the internet, you probably often access the Downloads folder to view and access recently downloaded files. While most users open the Downloads folder by clicking its entry in the File Explorer navigation pane (left pane), there are several other ways to access the Downloads folder as well.
In no particular order, the following are easy ways to open the Downloads folder on a Windows 11 PC.
Method 1 of 7
Open the Downloads folder from the File Explorer in Windows 11
Step 1: Open any folder, Home, or This PC in the File Explorer. Or simply use Windows + E keyboard shortcut to open File Explorer Home.
Step 2: The left pane of the File Explorer shows folders such as Desktop, Documents, and Downloads. Click Downloads to open the Downloads folder.
Method 2 of 7
Use Start menu or taskbar search to open the Downloads folder in Windows 11
Step 1: In the Start menu search field or taskbar search field, type Downloads and then press the Enter key to open the Downloads folder in the File Explorer.
Method 3 of 7
Open the Downloads folder via the Run command in Windows 11
Step 1: Use the search or Windows logo + R to open the Run command dialog box.
Step 2: Type Downloads and then press the Enter key to open the same.
Method 4 of 7
Open the Downloads folder from the Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell
Step 1: Use the Start menu or taskbar search to open the PowerShell or Command Prompt. No need to launch them as an administrator.
Step 2: Type start C:\Users\userprofilename\Downloads and then press the Enter key to open the Downloads folder in the File Explorer.
NOTE: You must replace the “userprofilename” with your actual user account name.
Method 5 of 7
Open the Downloads folder from the File Explorer address bar
This is one of the easiest and quickest ways to navigate to the Downloads folder without leaving the File Explorer.
Step 1: In the File Explorer address bar, type Downloads before hitting the Enter key to navigate to the Downloads folder immediately.
Method 6 of 7
Add the Downloads folder to the desktop and then open it from there
Step 1: Open File Explorer. Right-click the Downloads entry in the left pane, click Show more options, click Send to, and then click Desktop (create shortcut) to create a Downloads folder shortcut on the desktop.
Step 2: Double-click the Downloads – Shortcut folder shortcut on the desktop to open it.
Method 7 of 7
Access the Downloads folder from the taskbar in Windows 11
Step 1: Right-click on the File Explorer icon on the taskbar and then click the Downloads entry in the Pinned section of the right-click menu (also called jump list).
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