For many of us, downloading movies and TV shows from Netflix for offline viewing is a non-negotiable part of modern life. It transforms long commutes, flights, and areas with spotty internet into opportunities for uninterrupted entertainment. However, if you’re a Windows 10 or Windows 11 user who relies heavily on this feature, you’ve likely encountered the inevitable challenge: managing your Netflix downloads storage. The app doesn’t always make it clear where these files are stored, how much space they consume, or the best ways to manage them when your hard drive starts to fill up. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every aspect of managing Netflix downloads on your Windows PC, from locating the files and changing the default save location to deleting downloads and troubleshooting common issues.

Understanding how Netflix handles downloads on Windows is the first step to mastering your storage. Unlike saving a standard video file, Netflix downloads are stored in a protected, encrypted format within a dedicated folder. This digital rights management (DRM) protection is what prevents the files from being copied, moved, or played outside the Netflix app. While this secures the content for copyright holders, it also means you cannot manage these files through Windows File Explorer in the traditional sense. You must use the Netflix app itself as your control panel. The location of this folder is often buried within the WindowsApp directory, which has restricted permissions, making manual cleanup a tricky endeavor.

The process begins with the Netflix app from the Microsoft Store. This is the only official application that supports downloads on Windows. If you’ve been using Netflix through a web browser like Chrome or Edge, you’ll need to switch to the dedicated app to enable the download feature. Once installed and logged in, you’ll notice a “Download” button or icon on the details page of eligible movies and series. Not all titles are available for download due to licensing restrictions, but a significant portion of Netflix’s library is. When you initiate a download, you can often choose the video quality, which directly impacts the file size—a crucial consideration for storage management.

Step-by-Step: Finding and Managing Your Netflix Downloads Folder

The most common question users have is: “Where did Netflix put all my downloaded shows?” Knowing this is essential for assessing their impact on your disk space.

Locating the Netflix Downloads Folder on Windows

By default, Netflix stores its downloads in a secured folder within your user directory. The typical path is: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Packages\Netflix.NFLCXCRTMWIN_c0s7b1yt8b67w\LocalState\offlineInfo. However, the long string of characters after “Packages” can vary. The most reliable way to find it is through the Windows 10 or 11 Settings menu.

Open Windows Settings: Click the Start menu and select the gear icon, or press Windows Key + I on your keyboard.
Navigate to Apps > Apps & features: In the Settings window, click on “Apps,” then select “Apps & features” from the left-hand sidebar.
Find and Select Netflix: Scroll through the list of installed apps until you find “Netflix.” Click on it to expand the options.
Click on “Advanced options”: This link will open a new page with specific settings for the Netflix app.
Scroll to the “Reset” section: Here, you will find an entry labeled “App size” and “Downloads size.” The “Downloads size” clearly shows how much storage your Netflix downloads are currently consuming. While this interface doesn’t let you browse the files, it provides the definitive answer on their total footprint.

Attempting to directly navigate to the folder via File Explorer is often met with “Access Denied” errors because the folder is protected by Windows. This is by design. Therefore, for actual management—viewing what’s downloaded, deleting specific items, or changing quality—you must work within the Netflix app itself.

How to View and Delete Downloads Inside the Netflix App

Managing your downloads from within the Netflix application is straightforward and the recommended method.

Access the My Downloads Section: Open the Netflix app on your Windows PC. Click on the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines or your profile icon) in the top-left or top-right corner. From the dropdown menu, select “My Downloads.” This will present you with a list of all titles currently saved on your device.
Understand the List View: The list shows the title, a progress indicator for partially watched downloads, and the expiration date. Netflix downloads are not permanent; they have a license period that varies by title. After this period, you must reconnect to the internet to renew the license, or the title will be removed.
Deleting Individual Titles: To remove a specific movie or season, hover your mouse over the title’s tile. A new icon will appear—often a trash can or a “tick” in a circle that changes to a “Remove” option. Click this icon to delete that title from your storage. Confirm the action if prompted.
Changing Download Quality Settings: To control the size of future downloads, you need to adjust the quality setting. Go to the app’s menu, select “App Settings,” and look for a “Download video quality” option. You can typically choose between “Standard” (smaller file size, lower visual quality) and “High” (larger file size, better visual quality). This single setting is one of the most powerful tools for managing your storage space.

Advanced Storage Management: Changing the Default Download Location

If your primary drive (usually the C: drive) is a small SSD, you may want to move your Netflix downloads to a larger secondary hard drive or D: drive. Windows 10 and 11 allow you to change the default install location for apps and their data, but this affects all future downloads, not existing ones.

Open Storage Settings: Go to Settings > System > Storage.
Click on “Advanced storage settings”: Then select “Where new content is saved.”
Change the “New apps will save to” option: Use the dropdown menu to select a different drive (e.g., D:). This setting changes the default location for new applications from the Microsoft Store, including Netflix.
Reinstall Netflix (if necessary): For this change to take full effect for Netflix, you may need to uninstall the Netflix app and then reinstall it from the Microsoft Store. After reinstalling on the new drive, all subsequent downloads will be stored there. Warning: This process will delete any existing downloads you have, so ensure you’ve watched them or are okay with losing them before proceeding.

This method is highly effective for long-term storage management, especially if you have a dedicated large-capacity drive for media.

Troubleshooting Common Netflix Download Issues

Downloads not working? Files disappearing? Here are solutions to the most frequent problems Windows users face.

“Download Failed” or Stuck Errors: This is often a connectivity or temporary app glitch. First, ensure you have a stable internet connection. Then, try canceling the download in the “My Downloads” section and restarting it. If that fails, sign out of the Netflix app, restart your Windows PC, sign back in, and attempt the download again.
Downloads Disappearing or Expired: Remember that downloads have a time limit. Some titles expire 48 hours after you start watching, while others may last for 7 days or more without viewing. Always check the expiration date in “My Downloads.” An internet connection is required periodically to renew these licenses.
Insufficient Storage Space Error: The app checks for available space before downloading. If you get this error, you must free up space on the target drive. Use the built-in Windows Disk Cleanup tool or manually remove files. Then, consider changing your download quality to “Standard” to make files smaller.
Can’t Find the Netflix App or Downloads Folder: If the Netflix app from the Microsoft Store is missing, simply reinstall it. If you’re searching for the physical folder and get access errors, it’s best to rely on the “Apps & features” method described earlier to see the size, and use the app itself to manage content.

Pro Tips for Power Users

Go beyond the basics with these expert strategies for optimal Netflix download management on Windows.

Schedule Your Downloads: Plan your downloading for times when you’re not actively using your PC for other bandwidth-intensive tasks, like during the night. The Netflix app allows downloads to continue in the background.
Leverage Multiple Profiles: If you share a Netflix account, downloads are profile-specific. This means your downloads won’t be cluttered with content from other users in your household. Everyone manages their own storage space.
Regularly Audit Your Downloads: Make it a weekly or monthly habit to open “My Downloads” and remove titles you’ve already watched. This prevents the slow, unnoticed accumulation of large files.
Use Storage Sense (Windows 11/10): Configure Storage Sense to automatically free up space. You can set it to delete temporary files and clean up your Recycle Bin automatically. While it won’t touch Netflix downloads directly, it helps maintain overall disk health.
Consider a Dedicated External Drive: For users with laptops or devices with very limited internal storage, use the “change default install location” method to set a high-capacity external USB drive as the target for all new app data. Ensure it’s connected when you want to watch your downloaded content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why can’t I just copy my Netflix downloads to another folder or device?

Netflix downloads are protected by robust DRM (Digital Rights Management) encryption. This security ties the files specifically to the Netflix app on your Windows device and your active account profile. Copying the files to another location renders them unplayable, as the necessary decryption keys and app framework are absent. This is a contractual requirement from content publishers to prevent piracy.

How can I tell how much space each individual show or movie is using?

Regrettably, the Netflix app for Windows does not display the individual file size for each download. It only shows the total “Downloads size” in the Windows Settings > Apps menu. To estimate, remember that a Standard quality download is significantly smaller than a High quality one. A two-hour movie in High quality could easily be over 1.5GB, while the same movie in Standard might be under 0.5GB.

I changed my download location, but old downloads are still on my C: drive. How do I move them?

You cannot directly migrate existing downloads. The DRM protection locks them to the original installation path. To free up that space, you must delete the old downloads from within the Netflix app. Once deleted, any new content you download will be saved to the new default location you specified in Windows Settings.

Do downloads use data if I watch them offline?

No. Once a title is fully downloaded to your device, you can watch it repeatedly without consuming any additional internet data. The only data used is the initial download and the occasional license renewal check that requires a quick internet connection.

Is there a limit to how many titles I can download?

Yes, Netflix imposes device limits based on your subscription plan and licensing. The basic plan allows downloads on one device, the Standard plan on two, and the Premium plan on four devices. Furthermore, each title may have a limit on the number of times it can be downloaded within a certain period. These limits are in place to comply with content distribution agreements.

What happens to my downloads if I cancel my Netflix subscription?

If your Netflix subscription ends or is canceled, you will lose access to all downloaded content. The apps will prevent playback as your account is no longer active. The encrypted files may remain on your hard drive until you manually delete them or until the system cleans them up, but they will be unusable.

Conclusion

Effectively managing Netflix downloads storage on Windows 10 and 11 is a blend of understanding the app’s ecosystem and utilizing Windows’ built-in storage tools. The key is to work within the Netflix app for day-to-day management—using the “My Downloads” section to delete watched content and adjusting the download quality setting to control file sizes. For more systemic solutions, Windows provides the ability to change the default storage drive for new apps, a powerful option for users with multiple drives. Remember that the encrypted nature of the downloads means manual file management is intentionally restricted, making the in-app controls your primary toolkit. By regularly auditing your downloads, optimizing quality settings for your needs, and strategically using available storage space, you can ensure that your favorite Netflix content is always ready for offline viewing without compromising the performance of your Windows PC. This proactive approach turns a potential storage headache into a seamless, enjoyable viewing experience wherever you are.