Solved How can I add folders to the top section of Windows File Explorer and Open/Save dialogs?

I'm in search of a software solution, something I remember using about 20 years ago. It let you line up folders horizontally I think in the area indicated in the image and it think they were in the open/save dialog boxes too.

I'm looking for a similar tool that's compatible with Windows 11. My experience with Direct Folders wasn't great – it used too much screen space by injecting a bar across the top of the open/save dialog and there's not much verrtical space on my laptop. Eventually it started causing freezes to the dialog boxes to, I think. Things improved when I uninstalled it.

Currently, I'm using Listary Pro for quick folder access, but it's not exactly what I need. It's become less reliable to the point of not working at all. It's the beta version though and I've repeatedly contacted support with zero help on the issue. What I'm really after though is a way to have my frequently used folders already visible and just a click away in the save/open dialogs, without needing to open another program like Listary to get to them.

Does anyone have any suggestions or know of a tool that does this? The image depicts roughly where I recall the folders appearing.

Thanks in advance

Have you tried using Pin To Quick Access option when you right click a folder?

Well, that's so obvious that I didn't think to put them there. But in my defense, that old software made much better use of space and I also just have it in my mind that I want a modern version of that software. I could put a couple of folders in Quick Access and use them for things like, say, quick access while in open/save dialog boxes. If anyone comes along and knows of a way to do what I originally wanted, please let me know. thanks

carfar said:

Well, that's so obvious that I didn't think to put them there. But in my defense, that old software made much better use of space and I also just have it in my mind that I want a modern version of that software. I could put a couple of folders in Quick Access and use them for things like, say, quick access while in open/save dialog boxes. If anyone comes along and knows of a way to do what I originally wanted, please let me know. thanks

Click to expand...

There's also this, if you want to get more selective... there's tutorials for... everything.







And there's this as well...

Hey, I found something pretty close called Actual File Folders at https://www.actualtools.com/filefolders/ but Listary has mysteriously begun to work fine again, and it's got the same two file buttons on it for quick access. Actual Tools has a whole suite of software for managing Windows, if interested. I started using Stardock last year, which overlaps much of what they offer when Listary is added in as well as a free github project called SmartContextMenu. Possibly someone might come along looking for tools like this. If anyone has tried Actual Tools, I'd be interested in hearing how they like it.

Thanks

P.S. Sorry for my bad manners.... Thank you, Rollback and to GHOT for taking your time to answer me, The links are all very useful. There's a tremendous amount of good info and tutorials on this forum.