# How do I change the directory to download in Linux?

In Linux, changing your "download directory" can refer to two main scenarios: modifying your current working directory in the terminal, or adjusting the default download location for graphical applications like web browsers. Understanding both approaches ensures you can manage where your files are saved effectively.

1. Changing Your Current Working Directory in the Terminal

When working in the Linux terminal, you often need to navigate to specific directories to perform tasks like downloading files using command-line tools (e.g., wget, curl) or simply organizing your files. The cd command is your primary tool for this.

What is cd?
The cd command, which stands for change directory, is a fundamental command that allows you to change your current working directory to the one you specify after it. This means if you're in /home/user and you type cd /var/log, your terminal's working directory will switch to /var/log.

Common `cd` Command Uses

Here's how to use the cd command to navigate to your Downloads folder and other common locations. For more details on the cd command, you can refer to comprehensive Linux command references like Linuxize's cd command guide.

To your Downloads folder:
To move directly to your default Downloads folder, which is typically located within your home directory, you can use:
```
cd ~/Downloads
```
This command will change your working directory to the Downloads folder. The ~ (tilde) symbol is a shortcut that represents your home directory (e.g., /home/yourusername).
To your Home directory:
To quickly return to your home directory from anywhere:
```
cd ~
# or simply
cd
```
To a specific directory (absolute path):
If you know the full path to a directory, use its absolute path:
```
cd /home/yourusername/Documents/Projects
```
To a subdirectory (relative path):
If the directory you want to go to is directly inside your current directory:
```
cd my_new_folder
```
(Assuming my_new_folder is inside your current working directory).
To the parent directory:
To move up one level in the directory hierarchy:
```
cd ..
```
To the previous directory:
To quickly switch back to the directory you were in before the current one:
```
cd -
```

Verifying Your Current Directory

To always know which directory you are currently in, use the pwd (print working directory) command:

pwd

This command will display the full path of your current location in the terminal.

`cd` Command Examples

Command	Description	Example Current Directory	Example Target Directory
`cd ~/Downloads`	Changes to the user's Downloads folder	`/home/user/Documents`	`/home/user/Downloads`
`cd /usr/local`	Changes to an absolute path	`/home/user`	`/usr/local`
`cd my_project`	Changes to a subdirectory (relative path)	`/home/user/Documents`	`/home/user/Documents/my_project`
`cd ..`	Moves up one level to the parent directory	`/home/user/Documents`	`/home/user`
`cd -`	Switches back to the last working directory	`/home/user/Downloads`	`/home/user/Documents`

2. Changing Default Download Locations for Applications

For graphical applications like web browsers, email clients, or other programs that download files, the default download location is typically configured within the application's own settings or preferences. This is separate from your terminal's working directory.

Web Browsers

Most web browsers allow you to specify a default download folder. This is the most common scenario for "changing the directory to download in" for typical users.

Mozilla Firefox:
1. Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top-right corner to open the menu.
2. Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions).
3. In the left-hand menu, click General.
4. Scroll down to the Files and Applications section.
5. Under Downloads, you can choose to:
  - Save files to: Select a default folder. You can click Browse... to choose a new location.
  - Always ask me where to save files: This option prompts you to choose a location for each download.
    For further assistance, refer to Mozilla Support.
Google Chrome / Chromium:
1. Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots (⋮) in the top-right corner.
2. Select Settings.
3. In the left-hand menu, click Downloads.
4. Under the Location section, you'll see your current download path. Click Change to select a new default folder.
5. You can also toggle "Ask where to save each file before downloading" to be prompted for each download.
  For more help, visit Google Chrome Help.
Other Browsers (Brave, Edge, Opera, etc.):
The process is generally similar across different Chromium-based browsers (Brave, Edge, Opera) and even Safari on macOS. Look for "Settings," "Preferences," or "Options," and then navigate to a section related to "Downloads," "Files," or "General."

Other Applications

Many other applications that handle file downloads (e.g., email clients, torrent clients, document viewers with download capabilities) will have their own specific settings:

Email Clients (e.g., Thunderbird): Look in Edit > Preferences > General or Settings > Attachments for download directories.
Torrent Clients (e.g., Transmission, qBittorrent): Often have a dedicated "Downloads" or "Saving" section in their preferences where you can set default paths.
Image Viewers/Editors (e.g., GIMP, Inkscape): While not typically "downloaders," they often have default save locations which can be configured in their preferences.

Always check the application's specific settings or preferences menu for options related to file saving or downloading.