How do I change the Windows 11 default drive for relative paths?

Hi Jonathan. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

You can move Apps default install location to another drive in Windows 11 as shown here:

https://www.droidwin.com/how-to-change-the-defa...

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/move-windows-10-... (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)

You may have better organization of your files if you use the default User folders (Documents, Pictures, Music, Desktop, Downloads, etc) which you can move to the other drive same as shown here for WIndows 10:
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-move-default...


You can remap keys on the keyboard as shown here:
https://www.windowsdigitals.com/how-to-remap-ke...



Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

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Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Hi Greg, thanks for this. I appreciate your willingness to help. Unfortunately, none of these suggestions actually respond to the question I asked. See above.

To be clear:

My Windows system and apps are on C: and I like them that way.

My special folders Download, Photos, Documents, etc. are already on D: and that's where I want them.

My files are well organized. D:\wk has various subfolders. So do D:\avi (where I store pics and videos), d:\mp3, and various others.

I'm not trying to move any files. I just want the File Open / Save As dialog to treat D: rather than C: as the default root.

The PowerToys key remap cannot remap for only the File Open / Save As dialog, so remapping semicolon to colon would make it impossible to use a semicolon in my docs. That's not practical.

Jonathan, I know of no way to move the file Save As dialogue from C to D as default. I gave you the only methods to change default drives, which are for Apps and Files; anything else will cause problems.

Everyone else I've ever helped in forums for 12 years who wants files on another partition uses the method to move User folders which is seamless and easy because it changes the default for you. Perhaps someone else can come up with a method using symlinks but I wouldn't know how since you're not moving defaults you're just wanting the D drive to replace C in Save As dialogue, right?

Right. So in Open or Save As:

* if I say "D:\foo\", that's what I want (directory foo on the D: drive)

* if I say "C:\foo\", that's what I want (directory foo on the C: drive)

and

* if I say "\foo\", I want directory foo on the D: drive, not on the C: drive

This isn't about moving files.

I would be satisfied if I could create C:\wk as a shortcut or pointer to D:\wk, and likewise with my avi directory and two or three others. Then C:\wk and D:\wk would mean the same thing. They would designate a directory on y D: drive. But I just tried creating a shortcut to D:\avi and putting it on C:\. Dbl clickin on it in Windows Explorer takes me to d:\avi. but typing "C:\avi" or "\avi| in the File Open dialog does not.

From what little I've read on symlinks, it sounds like they are "shortcuts" but obn steroids, so maybe there's a way to use them to solve my problem. But what I read also includes a dark warning against cross-volume symlinks, so there could be danger in such a method.

There are good guides to Symlinks here:

https://www.maketecheasier.com/create-symbolic-...

https://www.makeuseof.com/guide-creating-symbol...

https://www.liquidweb.com/kb/symbolic-link/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q3x7db7x7s

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.