Set download directory
Verified with Google Chrome — updated on July 12, 2026
Supported on: Microsoft Windows 7 or later
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Google\Google Chrome - Default Settings (users can override) User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Google\Google Chrome - Default Settings (users can override) Description
Setting the policy sets up the directory Chrome uses for downloading files. It uses the provided directory, whether or not users specify one or turned on the flag to be prompted for download location every time. This policy overrides the DefaultDownloadDirectory policy. Leaving the policy unset means Chrome uses the default download directory, and users can change it. On Google ChromeOS it's possible to set it only to Google Drive directories. Note: See a list of variables you can use ( https://www.chromium.org/administrators/policy-list-3/user-data-directory-variables ). Example value: /home/${user_name}/Downloads
Registry
HKLM
Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\Recommended HKCU
Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\Recommended Export Builder
BETAConfigure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.
These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO. ⓘ
Applying both scopes creates an ambiguous configuration (computer takes precedence over user). Only do this intentionally.
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Set download directory
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: Microsoft Windows 7 or later
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\Recommended]
"DownloadDirectory"=""More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set download directory
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\Recommended'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'DownloadDirectory' -Value '' -Type StringIntune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune.Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set download directory
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Windows 7 or later
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\Recommended' -Name 'DownloadDirectory' -Expected '' -Kind String)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set download directory
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\Recommended'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'DownloadDirectory' -Value '' -Type StringSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set download directory
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Windows 7 or later
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set download directory
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Windows 7 or later
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\Recommended' -Name 'DownloadDirectory' -Expected '' -Kind String)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set download directory
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\Recommended'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'DownloadDirectory' -Value '' -Type StringBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.