How to Customize the Windows Save As Dialog Places Bar
Question details
The user wants to customize the Places bar on the left side of the Windows Save As dialog by removing default items like Collections and adding a preferred folder.
- Product
- Windows
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Saving a file in an application like Acrobat and wanting quick access to specific custom folders directly from the Save As dialog.
- Observed behavior
- The default system dialog shows predefined folders, and there is no built-in graphical menu in Windows or the application to modify these shortcuts.
Customizing the Places bar requires editing the Windows Registry. Always create a system restore point and back up your registry before proceeding, as incorrect changes can cause system instability.
Customize the Places Bar via Registry Editor
Modify the Windows Registry to define exactly which folder paths appear in the Save As dialog's Places bar.
The Places bar is a Windows system feature, not an application-specific setting. Because modern versions of Windows do not offer a simple settings toggle for this, the changes must be applied by an administrator through the Registry Editor.
Keep in mind that these modifications will apply to all applications that use the standard Windows Save As dialog. Some programs with custom-built dialogs may not reflect these changes.
Press 'Win + R' on your keyboard to open the Run dialog. Type 'regedit' and press Enter. Click 'Yes' if prompted by User Account Control.
In the Registry Editor, navigate to 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\comdlg32\Placesbar'. If the 'comdlg32' or 'Placesbar' keys do not exist, right-click the parent key, select 'New' > 'Key', and name them accordingly.
Click on the 'Placesbar' key. In the right pane, right-click an empty area, select 'New' > 'String Value', and name it 'Place0'. You can create up to five entries named 'Place0' through 'Place4'.
Double-click 'Place0' and enter the exact file path of the folder you want to appear (e.g., C:\Users\Name\Documents\MyFolder) in the 'Value data' field. Click 'OK'.
Close the Registry Editor. Restart your application (such as Acrobat or Word) and open the Save As dialog to verify that your custom folders now appear in the Places bar.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn't the Save As dialog change in some of my applications?
Certain applications build their own custom 'Save As' interfaces rather than relying on the standard Windows system dialog. Registry tweaks to the Windows Places bar will only affect applications that call the default OS dialog.
Can I add more than 5 folders to the Windows Places bar?
By default, the Windows registry method only supports up to 5 custom shortcut slots, labeled Place0 through Place4. Adding more entries beyond Place4 will not be recognized by the standard system dialog.
Is editing the Windows Registry safe?
Editing the registry carries risks, as modifying the wrong system keys can cause application failures or prevent Windows from booting. Always ensure you follow instructions carefully and create a backup or System Restore point before making changes.
