Redirecting default Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome "Downloads" folder to Temporary Storage or Dual Persona

Using Temporary storage as a default folder location for Downloads.#SRW-KB15

Written by Matija

Last published at: March 12th, 2024

We strongly encourage using Dual Persona or Temporary Storage virtual disks to maximize the endpoint security.


If you would like to utilize either as a default Edge or Chrome download location, a registry change will need to be done to provide the OS with the new path.  Since Edge and Chrome need a container folder instead of the root drive, a download folder must be created, which can be accomplished via the script below.



Download Folder creation:

You'll need to utilize this quick Powershell login script via your profile, which checks to see if your download folder is already present and creates it if it's missing:




#Check if the download folder exists, create as needed

$folder = 'T:\Downloads'

if (Test-Path -Path $folder)

{}

else

{New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path "T:\" -Name "Downloads"}





Microsoft Edge

Only one registry value needs to be updated. To do so, please follow the below steps:

  • Open the profile, and navigate to Computer Settings >> Additional Registry Values
  • Right-click >> Add and enter the values per the screenshot below, where Value Data represents the new Downloads' default location.  


    Delete

    Be sure to match the Drive letter in Value Data to the drive letter you use for Temporary Storage or Dual Persona, respectively.





Registry Location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Registry Key: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
Value Name: {374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}
Value Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ
Value Data: T:\Downloads\



Google Chrome

Only one registry value needs to be updated. To do so, please follow the below steps:

  • Open the profile, and navigate to Computer Settings >> Additional Registry Values
  • Right-click >> Add and enter the values per the screenshot below, where Value Data represents the new Downloads' default location.  




Registry Location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Registry Key: Software\Policies\Google\Chrome
Value Name: DownloadDirectory
Value Type: REG_SZ
Value Data: T:\Downloads\


................................................................................................................................................................................

The same can be applied to modify other Windows Shell folder locations by using the table below:

Shell Folder Name
(Value type: REG_EXPAND_SZ)
Location
{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B} %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
AppData %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming
Cache %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache
Cookies %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCookies
Desktop %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
Favorites %USERPROFILE%\Favorites
History %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\History
Local AppData %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local
My Music %USERPROFILE%\Music
My Pictures %USERPROFILE%\Pictures
My Video %USERPROFILE%\Videos
NetHood %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts
Personal %USERPROFILE%\Documents
PrintHood %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts
Programs %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
Recent %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
SendTo %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
Start Menu %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
Startup %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
Templates %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates