How to set custom shortcuts in the Windows XP “Save As” dialog box
July 28th, 2007 by Ross McKillop |
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This tutorial will guide you in setting custom “shortcuts” in the Windows XP “Save As” dialog box. note: this also works in Windows Vista Ultimate Edition - but I’m not sure about the other versions of Vista.
- Below you’ll find a screenshot of the default “Save As” dialog box in Windows XP. Make note of the shortcuts that you actually use, so you can make sure to keep them.
- Click Start and select Run. In the Run window enter gpedit.msc and click OK.
- The Group Policy editor will appear.
- In the left window select the + (plus sign) next to User Configuration to expand the list. Next select the plus sign next to Administrative Templates and then Windows Explorer. Finally, select the Common Open File Dialog entry.
- Double-click the Items displayed in Places Bar entry in the main Group Policy window.
- The Items displayed in Places Bar Properties window will open.
- Select Enabled and then enter in the locations you’d like to have displayed in the Save As dialog box. You need to enter the full path to the location for the shortcuts to work. For example, if you want to have a shortcut to your My Documents folder, enter in:
C:Documents and SettingsYour User NameMy Documents
Once you’ve entered in all the locations you’d like to appear in the Save As window, click Apply and then OK.
- Back in the Group Policy editor, you should see that the Items displayed in Places Bar is now Enabled. Close the Group Policy editor.
- Test it out by saving a file - you should now have the new shortcuts displayed.
- The same shortcuts will be used in the Open dialog box - not just the Save As box.
- This will also work in Windows Vista - though I’ve only confirmed that it works in Vista Ultimate edition.
22 Responses to “How to set custom shortcuts in the Windows XP “Save As” dialog box”
By Dobby on Jul 28, 2007 | Reply
In Windows XP home there’s no gpedit.msc. But you can configure the Places Bar with Tweak UI.
Download it on this MS-Site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
By Ross McKillop on Jul 29, 2007 | Reply
Dobby -
Excellent comment/tip, thanks!
By Colin on Aug 3, 2007 | Reply
Also, Office may not adhere to these rules, as Office is wont to do.
By Lokesh Kalra on Aug 4, 2007 | Reply
Very nice article. It helped me quickly to set right the save as Dialog Box. I have thinking of doing it for long. Thanks so much. Keep up the Good Work.
By Erez on Aug 8, 2007 | Reply
great information. Thanks! a clever tip in a few steps.
I agree with Colin: what about OFFICE “save as” dialog box? can we change that too?
By Jernej on Aug 15, 2007 | Reply
thank you for this very useful information!
By mr dman on Sep 7, 2007 | Reply
thanks for this - very useful, didn’t know TweakUI could do it, otherwise, I would have done it years ago!
By ben on Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
under administrative templates i only have windows media player not any of the other things that are shown in the example.
By ben on Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
very nice i figured it out but i need it for solidworks
By Karthik on Nov 27, 2007 | Reply
Awsome tip…I curse myself for not stumbling upon this at all or why it never crossed my mind that these default things can be changed..Thanks a ton.
By Keith Scott on Nov 27, 2007 | Reply
Thanx 4 the tip. Used it straight away.
By Joao Henriques on Nov 30, 2007 | Reply
for office places check http://www.petri.co.il/customize_the_places_bar_in_office_xp_2003.htm
or google office places
By Ed Donlon on Dec 10, 2007 | Reply
Ben, Did you ever get it figured out for Solidworks? Thx.
By Jessica on Mar 18, 2008 | Reply
I can’t thank you enough!
By Olivian BREDA on May 5, 2008 | Reply
Thank you for the wonderful tip. It works great.
By Jen on May 9, 2008 | Reply
great work. Thanks you so much!!
keep up with other good post~