Changing where XP downloads files

Starting in Windows Vista Microsoft changed the default download location for files to the Downloads folder unser the User Directory. If you would like similar functionality on Windows XP you must perform the following steps:

You will need to edit the registry. As always, be sure to back up the registry key first and be careful when making changes to the registry. Here are the steps:
1. Open the registry editor.
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer
3. In the right pane, double click the Download Directory value
4. In the Value Data field, type the full path to the folder where you want downloads to go by default (for example, C:\Downloads)
5. Click OK

Note that this changes the download location only for the logged on user account.