How to Add Save Location Shortcuts in Windows and Office
Question details
The user wants to pin frequently used folders or drives to make them quickly accessible when saving files in Windows and Office applications.
- Product
- Windows and Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Saving files frequently to specific folders and wanting to reduce navigation time in File Explorer and the Save As dialog.
- Observed behavior
- The user needs a faster way to access target folders instead of manually navigating through the directory tree every time they save a document.
Ensure you know the exact file paths of the folders or network drives you frequently use before attempting to pin them to your quick access list.
Pin Folders to Quick Access in Windows File Explorer
Pinning a folder to Quick Access makes it instantly available in the left sidebar of File Explorer and all standard Windows Save As dialogs.
Windows Quick Access is the most universal way to create save location shortcuts. Once a folder is pinned here, any application that uses the default Windows file explorer dialog—including Office apps when bypassing Backstage—will display these shortcuts.
Press the Win + E keys on your keyboard to open Windows File Explorer.
Locate the specific folder or drive you want to use as your regular save location.
Right-click the folder and select 'Pin to Quick access' from the context menu.
Look at the left navigation pane in File Explorer. The folder should now appear under the Quick access section with a pin icon next to it.
Customize Save Settings in Microsoft Office
Modify Microsoft Word or Excel settings to optimize the save experience and easily access your preferred locations.
Manage Save Locations Easily with WPS Office
WPS Office offers a highly intuitive tabbed interface and fully supports Windows Quick Access, making it incredibly fast to save your documents exactly where you need them without navigating complex Backstage menus.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on your Windows PC.
- 2. Create a Document: Open WPS Office and create a new document in WPS Writer.
- 3. Open Save Dialog: Click 'Menu' in the top-left corner and select 'Save As', or simply press F12.
- 4. Use Quick Access: Access your pinned Windows Quick Access folders directly from the left sidebar of the save dialog to save your file instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I unpin a folder from Quick Access?
Open File Explorer, locate the pinned folder in the left sidebar under Quick Access, right-click it, and select 'Unpin from Quick access'.
Why aren't my pinned folders showing up in the Office Save As dialog?
If you are using the Office Backstage view (the proprietary Office save screen), Windows Quick Access folders might not appear directly. You can switch to the classic Windows save dialog by pressing F12 or changing your Office Save options to bypass Backstage.
Can I pin a network drive to Quick Access?
Yes. Map the network drive to your computer first, then right-click the mapped drive or a specific folder within it and select 'Pin to Quick access'.
How do I add the Save As button to the Quick Access Toolbar in Word?
Click the down arrow at the very top of your Word window (Quick Access Toolbar), and select 'More Commands'. Find 'Save As' in the list of commands, click 'Add', and then click 'OK' for one-click access.
