UWP - Get path to user download folder

Question

I have been looking for a little while now and am not finding much help via MSDN resources and others.

My predicament is simple: my app needs a base directory to the Downloads folder. I am aware of the DownloadsFolder class however that is not suiting my needs currently.

How do I get the current user's Download folder path in a Windows Universal App?

Answer 1

Use Windows.Storage.UserDataPaths to get the path of user's download folder.

string downloadsPath = UserDataPaths.GetDefault().Downloads;

• This method is introduced in build 16232, so clients with RS3(1709) or later will be able to run it.
• You shouldn't obtain downloads folder path using LocalFolder, which might result in wrong folder when the user changed the default location for it.