can downloads folder location be changed

Since the vast majority of downloads are done via a web browser, just change the downloaded files location in your browser. It can be any folder on any drive.

• Safari > Preferences > General > File download location
• Firefox > Settings > General > Files and Applications > Downloads
• etc.

If you are using FTP, your FTP app probably has a similar preference setting.

First thing, and assuming you simply aim to free space:

1) downloaded files can be copied to an external drive. Thus, you can throw them to trash from the download folder afterward.

2) many of the downloaded files (especially installers) can be throwed as well after install (this, if the installation itself do not directly ask if you want to keep or throw it). You will probably never have to reinstall that version because if you ever need to, it will be a different one. Make sure you keep access to licenses if needed (in an email or elsewise).

3) some other downloads may pertain to categories for which you may already have created folders in different locations: just bring oranges where oranges are, and bananas where bananas are, and again, wipe from the download folder.

4) some downloads may ask where you want to save the file: route it where you want, and it won’t go to your download folder.

Bottim line: there is no use to move a download folder. But you could also creste a folder called whatever (Download2 or whichever name you want) and save (or copy) there.

If you are looking to free up internal disks space, see > Free up storage space - Apple Support

If you need to free up a lot of disk space, you can move your largest media Library to an external drive.

Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support

Change where your music files are stored on Mac - Apple Support

Move your iMovie for Mac library - Apple Support

Please keep in mind that moving anything to an external drive is at greater risk of loss and should be backed up to a second external drive.

den.thed wrote:

Please keep in mind that moving anything to an external drive is at greater risk of loss and should be backed up to a second external drive.

I agree about always having a second backup, even more ... in my case I have a 1x2x2 backup scheme - 1 online updated daily, 2 offline rotated monthly, 2 offsite rotated twice yearly.

But what is your reason for saying the the risk of loss on an external drive is greater than on the internal drive?

1) Because most folks, tend to buy cheap portable external drives that have a high failure rate.

2) Because your buddy or kids, can easily unplug it and plug it into a different Mac or PC.

3) Because a power issue, can easily corrupt or wipe everything on the external drive.

All are good reasons. Thanks.

You're welcome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX3W7vR-ZL8