How To Change Windows Default Save As or Open Location
Author: Raymond29 Feb
Whenever you open a file from any program or trying to save a file using “Save As”, most of the time the default location would be either Desktop or My Documents. I did a little research and found out that it can’t be changed. However, at the left side of the “Save As” dialog, you will see 5 locations which is My Recent Documents, Desktop, My Documents, My Computer and My Network Places that has been preset for you to save. Those 5 locations are called “Places Bar” and it is supposed to be a convenient way for you to save it to the preset location.
If you’re working on something that frequently needs to save files other than the preset location, you can change the default save location, so you don’t need to browse to the location each time you want to save. I will show you how to easily change the Windows default Save As or Open Places Bar Location.
You’d have to use Microsoft PowerToys Tweak UI which gives you access to system settings that are not exposed in the Windows XP default user interface. Download Tweak UI from the link at the end of this article and install. Run Tweak UI from start menu, expand Common Dialogs and click on Places Bar.
By default, show default places is selected which will show My Recent Documents, Desktop, My Documents, My Computer and My Network Places. You can hide the places bar or select Custom places bar. There are a few predefined custom place for you to choose. You can enter your own custom local path location and even remote folders on other computer. Just use \\ComputerName\SharedFolder and it will show the shared folder.
The default places bar changes will only be effective for the currently logged on user. Other users on that computer won’t be affected.
[ Download Microsoft PowerToys Tweak UI ]
[tags]save as, location, path, places bar, open[/tags]
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Tweak UI is indeed powerful.
The places bar can also be changed using Group Policy
Start -> Run -> gpedit.msc -> User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Explorer -> Common Open File Dialog -> Items displayed in Places Bar
Now thats what I wanted…..
Thanx Raymond
Oh, Its nice to have this soft, But why this kind of software exposed in Windows XP? If the Microsoft provides with the OS, it will be more comfortable for everybody
This tip just shows one of the ways of using the power toy for windows.
There is also a freeware called PlacesBar Tweaker that does the same thing:
http://www.ioisland.com/placesbar/index.php
But TweakUI is a must-have cause it has a lot more useful functions
Oh, one other thing, PlacesBar Tweaker works for Vista too, for which the TweakUI has not been released yet.
TweakUI is a very important tool
That’s nice!. To complete it, I’d love to have the file *details* (not the icon and name) of the main window and sorted reversed by modification time. I always need to do this set of clicks when the Open popup window (same as “Save As”) shows up . Do you know if it is possible?
That’s nice. What I do right now is that it defaults to the My Docs section. So, over there I placed shortcut links to other parts in my computer. Problem solved. :D
Oh my …..this is a great feature. I print it out now and share with all my office staff.
Thank You !!!
Any one know how to get to it in Vista, so I don’t have to install another program? Thanks.
Hi
you do not necessarily need TweakUI . I for example cannot install anything on my work computer due to lack of admin rights. But I found another way.
You can change the path in Windows XP as follows:
Click on File – save as – default save dialogue opens (usually my documents).
Search the location you would like to have as default location for your files.
On the top right under tools – click add to my places and your prefered location should show up on the icon bar on the left hand site…and that is it.
Next time you want to save something you just need to click on the icon you just added to my places.
I hope that helps.
Cheers
Stef
Stef, I think your version only works with the Office save dialog in Word and Excel. The Save as in browsers do not have the Tools menu.
I am also looking to solve the same problem as Mark in #9. I want the default sort when I “open” or “save” from within a program to be “details”, sorted by most recent modification date first.
Currently, I get details, sorted by file name
This is a good solution but not for cutomized save as item. eg visio, word pad etc…
Either I’m an idiot, or this software doesn’t work.
I want all files created in Word Pad to be saved, by default, to a certain folder I’ve created. I entered that folder name and path in the PLACES box. When I create a document and choose Save As, I’m still getting the same choices as before. What’s up?
tweakui
i am having the same problem but my default fold is turned to be a temporary folder
Thank you to Deb and Stef for your contributions. Your suggestions work. However you must do both your suggestions for it to work for all applications. I have written it out for my benefit but may help others as well.
This needs to be done in two places. 1) Group policy and 2) Office program
1) – this will add the folder to the “save as” windows systems for everything except MS programs
Start -> Run -> gpedit.msc -> User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Explorer -> Common Open File Dialog -> Items displayed in Places Bar
Select enabled. Enter your preferred default place in item #1. It will display in the “save as” icon tray as the first item. If you do not fill anything in the other fields, they will show with a default folder setting but it won’t matter so leave them blank unless you have multiple locations.
Also
2) Change the path in Windows XP for MSOffice 2007 programs as follows:
Open a document (example MS Doc – not a PDF)
Click on File – save as – default save dialogue opens (usually my documents).
Search the location you want to have as default location for your files.
Go to the icon section (left pane) and right click your mouse. A message will come up and ask if you want to add it to my places. Click on it and your preferred location will show up on the icon bar. You can right click the icon to move it up or down on the priority list.
Anyone have a solution to Hobster’s question (quoted below)? I have the same question.
“That’s nice!. To complete it, I’d love to have the file *details* (not the icon and name) of the main window and sorted reversed by modification time. I always need to do this set of clicks when the Open popup window (same as “Save As”) shows up . Do you know if it is possible?”
Thanks alot!
I have similar problems for SAVING FILES from either Email attachments or after editing files in Microsoft WORD or other word processors.
I could not find my anser here. I am using MICROSOFT word 97 / 2003 or /2007
But I find that after editting and trying to save this editted file , EVEN IF THE file I just editted was MICROSOFT WORD,,,, my default program DEFAULTS TO Microsoft works (the old .wps file type).. SO I tried to go to default programs menu on my START MENU.. and it does not show FROM WHERE the works (.wps old format) is popping out >>> why would I save a file in .docx format to .wps format!!!! it is a real puzzle. I am confused and have no dirction to follow