Large language models (LLMs) can easily take up tens of gigabytes each, quickly filling up primary system drives. To change the download directory in LM Studio, you can use the built-in "My Models" settings or manage your storage manually via symbolic links if you need to move the entire app directory. Method 1: Change Model Directory via the UI
LM Studio requires a specific folder structure to recognize models. Files must be nested within a publisher/model_name/ structure (e.g., models/TheBloke/Llama-3-GGUF/model.gguf ). Method 2: Move the Entire Home Directory (Advanced) lmstudio change download directory