Can't choose save location for Office 2010 files


Fishmill

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154
OS
Windows 11 Pro
I installed Windows 11 Pro a few days ago on a new PC.

I'm having trouble choosing where to save newly created Word and Excel files. I can't recall any such issues on Windows 10.

I've made a little headway. Windows wanted to force me to save somewhere in C Users, which I never use.

Got that changed to D, but only to the root of D.

Got that changed to D:\Downloads, but got no further. Can't choose for instance D:\mp3. I'm now forced to D:\downloads.

The "save" choice doesn't even appear, just "open" and "cancel"

Googling recommended several options in File/options/save, but I don't see those options.

I don't see "Save to computer by default".

I don't see "Don't show the Backstage when opening or saving files"

I had some permissions issues a few days ago, but they have been solved.Untitled-1.webp
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Fishmill Special
    CPU
    Intel 265K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z890-A
    Memory
    G Skill DDR5 2 x 16 kit 6000/36
    Graphics Card(s)
    none
    Sound Card
    none
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 2316H
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    WD SN770 NVME 500 GB boot; Intel 660p NVME 2 TB and WD Green 3 TB storage
    PSU
    Be Quiet 13M 750 ATX 3.1
    Case
    Lancool PC-K65
    Cooling
    Noctua U12S
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 Wired
    Mouse
    Dell MS-116
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes
You can choose SAVE AS instead of save.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    2 HP Desktops, 1 Dell Desktop, 2 Dell XPS Laptops, 1 HP Laptop
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4 & 3
    Internet Speed
    500 mps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender
I wish I could.

When I choose any folder OTHER THAN downloads, the "save" option disappears, and I'm left to choose between "open" and "cancel".

I get the same behavior whether I choose "save" or "save as". When I click on any new folder, no can save at all.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Fishmill Special
    CPU
    Intel 265K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z890-A
    Memory
    G Skill DDR5 2 x 16 kit 6000/36
    Graphics Card(s)
    none
    Sound Card
    none
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 2316H
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    WD SN770 NVME 500 GB boot; Intel 660p NVME 2 TB and WD Green 3 TB storage
    PSU
    Be Quiet 13M 750 ATX 3.1
    Case
    Lancool PC-K65
    Cooling
    Noctua U12S
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 Wired
    Mouse
    Dell MS-116
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes
Here's a shot:
 

Attachments

  • Untitled-1.webp
    Untitled-1.webp
    35.4 KB · Views: 1

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Fishmill Special
    CPU
    Intel 265K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z890-A
    Memory
    G Skill DDR5 2 x 16 kit 6000/36
    Graphics Card(s)
    none
    Sound Card
    none
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 2316H
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    WD SN770 NVME 500 GB boot; Intel 660p NVME 2 TB and WD Green 3 TB storage
    PSU
    Be Quiet 13M 750 ATX 3.1
    Case
    Lancool PC-K65
    Cooling
    Noctua U12S
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 Wired
    Mouse
    Dell MS-116
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes
When I choose any folder OTHER THAN downloads, the "save" option disappears, and I'm left to choose between "open" and "cancel".
You have to click Open to go into that other folder before you can save to it.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23-R9VY
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD (from April 2026: 250GB EVO 850)
    Internet Speed
    150 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October 2021 it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update, 24H2 on 3rd October 2024 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 24H2, and 25H2 on 30th September 2025 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 25H2.

    UPDATE - 11 April 2026: due to mechanical deterioration this PC has been retired from active duty. The OS with all software and files has been migrated to my System Seven below to carry on as my general purpose 'main machine'.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 1TB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro 24H2, Hyper-V host machine. Updated to 25H2 on 30th September 2025.

    My SYSTEM SEVEN is a Lenovo Thinkpad T580, Intel Core i7-8650U, 16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD + 2nd 512GB NVMe SSD, a supported device for Windows 11. This is my current general purpose 'main machine'. The installed Windows 11 Home from my System One has been migrated to this machine.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package. In-place upgrade to 24H2 using hybrid 23H2/24H2 install media. Upgraded to 25H2 by Enablement Package. Also running Insider Dev, and Canary builds and Windows 10 as native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 1TB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro 24H2, Hyper-V host machine. Updated to 25H2 on 30th September 2025.

    My SYSTEM SEVEN is a Lenovo Thinkpad T580, Intel Core i7-8650U, 16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD + 2nd 512GB NVMe SSD, a supported device for Windows 11. This is my current general purpose 'main machine'. The installed Windows 11 Home from my System One has been migrated to this machine.
Yes, double click the folder to which you want to save or select open, as mentioned above.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    2 HP Desktops, 1 Dell Desktop, 2 Dell XPS Laptops, 1 HP Laptop
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4 & 3
    Internet Speed
    500 mps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender
Amazing.

I've been using Windows for over 30 years and saved somewhere over 200,000 files with my very own fingers.

One of two things is true:

1: That's new behavior, at least on a newly constructed PC (2 weeks old)

or:

2: I've officially gone around the bend. Often wondered when that would happen.

Probably 2, considering I was born during the Second World War.

Maybe I've poked "open" for over 30 years and it became so ingrained that I don't even notice or recall it.

Don't bother becoming my age.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Fishmill Special
    CPU
    Intel 265K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z890-A
    Memory
    G Skill DDR5 2 x 16 kit 6000/36
    Graphics Card(s)
    none
    Sound Card
    none
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 2316H
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    WD SN770 NVME 500 GB boot; Intel 660p NVME 2 TB and WD Green 3 TB storage
    PSU
    Be Quiet 13M 750 ATX 3.1
    Case
    Lancool PC-K65
    Cooling
    Noctua U12S
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 Wired
    Mouse
    Dell MS-116
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes
That's new behavior, at least on a newly constructed PC (2 weeks old)

Nope, logic says you have to open a door and enter a house if you want to hang your hat.
Always been this way.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built 2013
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard thingy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Touch Screen Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / Mx Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    2000/500Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
    TP-Link BE9300 WiFi 7 Bluetooth 5.4 (Archer TBE550E)
    TP-Link TX201 V1 2.5GB Lan

    Grandstream HT812 - VoIP
    ASUS DSL-AX82U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-AC68U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-BE88U Router

    Brother MFC-L2880DW Printer

    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8655
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7 14IRL8 - 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
If you don’t select a folder like in your image (MP3), it wont say “Open” it will say “Save” to save in the same level as the folder MP3, but not in the MP3 folder, because you’re not in the MP3 folder, you’re on the root of D (In your image)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built 2013
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard thingy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Touch Screen Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / Mx Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    2000/500Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
    TP-Link BE9300 WiFi 7 Bluetooth 5.4 (Archer TBE550E)
    TP-Link TX201 V1 2.5GB Lan

    Grandstream HT812 - VoIP
    ASUS DSL-AX82U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-AC68U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-BE88U Router

    Brother MFC-L2880DW Printer

    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8655
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7 14IRL8 - 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
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