changing save to windows 11

Question

changing save to windows 11

alan sheppard 0

Several years ago, I changed the save to folder for pictures to another drive. I have been trying to change it back but can not figure out how to. Screenshot 2026-08-27 101740.png There must be another place? My computer saves pictures to drive F.

Neil D 34,430 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-27T15:40:44.7633333+00:00

If you right click the Pictures folder in File Explorer and select Properties then the Location tab, what is shown as the path to your photos.?
alan sheppard 0 Reputation points

2026-08-27T23:35:44.9933333+00:00

did not fix problem.
Neil D 34,430 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-28T08:27:34.98+00:00

I need to know what the path shows for that folder. I wasn't giving steps to fix the problem. I like Emily need to collect some information first before a fix can be suggested.

2 answers

Your answer

Neil D 34,430 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-27T15:40:44.7633333+00:00

If you right click the Pictures folder in File Explorer and select Properties then the Location tab, what is shown as the path to your photos.?
alan sheppard 0 Reputation points

2026-08-27T23:35:44.9933333+00:00

did not fix problem.
Neil D 34,430 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-28T08:27:34.98+00:00

I need to know what the path shows for that folder. I wasn't giving steps to fix the problem. I like Emily need to collect some information first before a fix can be suggested.

Answer 1

EmilyS726 271.5K Independent Advisor

Please type regedit in the search on the taskbar to launch registry editor, and go to this path, then take a screenshot and share in your reply.

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

EmilyS726 271.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-27T23:36:13.9466667+00:00

Please let me know if you can share this screenshot, so that I can review what the current setting is and show you how to change it.
alan sheppard 0 Reputation points

2026-08-27T23:37:52.2466667+00:00

did not fix
EmilyS726 271.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-27T23:40:31.1966667+00:00

Alan, I am asking to see a screenshot, I didn't offer any fix/solution yet, so I don't know what you meant by "did not fix". I cannot fix it until I have the information I am asking for. Not all questions can be fixed at first shot. It is normal that it requires reviewing necessary information before anything can be suggested.

Answer 2

If Pictures is saving to the wrong drive, the supported way to change it back is to restore the Pictures folder location to its default path.

In File Explorer, right-click Pictures.
Select Properties.
Open the Location tab.
Select Move... if choosing a different folder, or restore it to the default path: %USERPROFILE%\Pictures
Select OK.
Restart Explorer.exe, sign out and sign back in, or restart the PC so the change takes effect.

If the Location tab method fails, the documented workaround is to correct the registry entry.

Warning: Incorrect registry changes can cause serious problems. Back up the registry before making changes.

Press Win + R, type regedit.exe, and press Enter.
Go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
Change the My Pictures entry to: %USERPROFILE%\Pictures
Restart Explorer.exe, sign out and back in, or restart the PC.

If photos taken with the Camera app are also going to the wrong place, check: Start > Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved Then review New photos and videos will save to.

References: