How to Change Default File Saving Location in Microsoft Word?

Microsoft optimizes and introduces new features in Word app for making life easier when creating documents. However, saving document to a specific location is one of the problems in Word. It is also messy with the OneDrive integrated with Word document saving feature. If you are frustrated by changing the location every time, here is how you can change the default file saving location in Microsoft Word. Learn more tips for improving productivity when working with Microsoft Word.

Default Saving in Word

If you are using OneDrive, then Word will automatically use the “Documents” folder in OneDrive to save your files. Saving files in OneDrive is required to use “AutoSave” feature in Word and saving files in local computer will turn off the “AutoSave” feature. The problem here is that you cannot create a folder and save in OneDrive, it goes to the “Documents” folder where you may have thousands of old documents.

If you want to save the document in local computer, then you need to select “More options” and browse through the PC to find the location. Unfortunately, you need to select the location manually when you want to save another document as Word will not remember your previous selection. Follow one of the below methods to change the default file saving location in Word.

1. Select from Save Dialog Box

This is a quick solution when you want to set one of the recently used locations as a default saving location.

• When you prepare the document, press “Control + S” or go to “File > Save” menu to open the save dialog box.
• Click the default location showing below the “Choose a Location” heading.
• This will show a list of recently used locations and hover over the item you want to set as default.
• You will see a pin and three dots context menu icons.

• Pin option helps to keep the location in the list but will not make it default. Click the three dots context menu icon and select “Set As Default Location” option.

This will make the selected location as default and you will see that location whenever saving a new document.

2. Change from Word Options

This is an alternate option if you do not see the location in recently used list.

• When you are in a new document, go to “File > Options” menu to open Word Options dialog box.
• Navigate to “Save” section from the sidebar and check under “Save documents” heading.
• You will see the location in the text box against “Default local file location”.
• Click the “Browse” button and select a new default location for saving your files. Make sure to check “Save to Computer by default” option so that Word will not use online locations like OneDrive.
• Click “OK” button and close the Word Options dialog box. Henceforth, you will see the newly set location appears as default when you save the documents.

3. Select or Create New Subfolder in Default Location

If you want to create a new subfolder under the default location, you need not to go to File Explorer. It is possible to create new folders in default location right from the Word app. This is useful when you set a project folder as a default location and wanted to save the documents in different subfolders under the project folder.

• When you are in the document, click “Control + S” to open “Save this file” dialog box.
• You will see the default save location selected which should be your parent project folder.
• Click on “More options…” link.

• Against “This PC” option, you will see the default folder appears and shows all the subfolders under the default folder.
• You can either select one of the subfolders from the list or click “New Folder” button to create a new folder under the default location.

Final Words

We hope now you can change the default file saving location in Microsoft Word. This will save time and you do not need to change the location browsing through your computer every time when saving the document.