A productivity tip for all smart Windows 7 users: Change your “save as” locations to include the most frequently used folders on your PC. Here’s how!
1. Step Enter gpedit.msc into the search field (this will only work on Windows 7 Professional and higher, Windows 7 Home users please skip this and download the tool below.
2. Step Uncollapse User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Explorer, Common Open File Dialog
3. Step Double-click on Items displayed in Places Bar
4. Step Check Enabled
5. StepNow, we are going to add the most commonly used folders on your hard drive
This could be:
- C:\Users\[username]\Pictures
- C:\Downloads
- C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries
The last one is the path to the Windows 7 libraries. If you want to keep the Libraries as one of your “save as” locations, then add this one.
How to add more than 5 items to “save as” file dialog?
The current limit is 5 items. If you need more than 5 I recommend to put all your other folders in a library (you can include hundreds of folders) and then link to the Library as seen above (C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries). This is only a workaround, but is the fastest way and will save you a lot of time.
Libraries ARE very useful. If you disagree, learn to use them properly. Libraries explained
Windows 7 Home: Download Tool To Customize Save As Location
Windows 7 Home users have to download the tool Microsoft PowerToys Tweak UI to change their “save as” locations.
You can download it from microsoft.com