How to Set Custom Locations in the Windows “Save As” Box

This guide will take you step by step though the process of setting custom “shortcuts” in the Windows “Save As” dialog box.

One interesting thing about this trick is that it works from Windows XP all the way through Windows 10. Although this guide uses Windows 10 for the steps and screenshots, if you’re using a different version of Windows you’ll have absolutely no trouble following along.

It’s important to note that not all Windows apps use the same “Save As” box – there’s more than one. So this little trick won’t work for every app that has a “Save As” box.

1. Click the Search button in the Windows Taskbar and run a search for: gpedit.msc . Select that item from the search results. Note: if you’re using an earlier version of Windows, click the Start button and then Run. Enter gpedit.msc in the Run box.



2. The Group Policy editor will appear.



3. In the left panel select the + (plus sign) next to User Configuration to expand the list. Next select the plus sign next to Administrative Templates then Windows Components then File Explorer and finally, select Common Open File Dialog. Note: if you’re using an earlier version of Windows the path may be a bit different. Try: User Configuration to expand the list, then Administrative Templates -> Windows Explorer -> Common Open File Dialog



4. Double-click the Items displayed in Places Bar entry in the main Group Policy window.



5. The Items displayed in Places Bar Properties window will open. The first thing to do is place a check in the box next to Enabled



6. Now 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 Downloads folder, enter in:
   

   C:\Users\Your User Name\Downloads\



7. Once you’ve entered in all the locations you’d like to appear in the Save As window, click Apply and then OK.

   

8. Ta-da! If you open an App and select File -> Save As… you’ll see the custom folders that you just added. Note: in Windows 10, if you leave one of the 5 location fields blank, a shortcut to This PC will be included.

While you’re here and in the mood to personalize Windows, maybe you’d like to customize the Windows 10 “Quick Access” menu as well.

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