![Diane Poremsky [Outlook MVP]](http://www.outlook-tips.net/images/2014/MVP_BlueOnly.png)
Did you know you can change the folder Outlook uses as the default folder to save attachments?
You can also change the default folder that opens when you click Browse this PC on Outlook's Attach File menu (Insert Attachment in older versions) but when you make this change, it changes the default folder for open or saving files in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. (Note: Outlook will default to the last-used folder until it's closed and restarted.)
Instead of changing the folder path, add the folders you use most frequently to the Quick Access list in Windows Explorer.
Save Attachments Path
To change the default location for saving attachments, you'll need to edit the registry.
- If the folder you save attachments to does not exist, create it.
- Press Windows key + R to open the run command then type regedit and press OK to open the Registry Editor.
- Browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Options
- Right click on Options and create a new string value called DefaultPath.
- Right-click on DefaultPath and choose Modify.
- Paste the attachment folder path in the Value Data Click OK to save the value then close the Registry Editor.
- You may need to restart Outlook for this change to take effect.
Note that this is sometimes buggy. If the path does not exist, Outlook will use the default set in Word. There is a bug in Outlook 2016 where Outlook may use C:\Windows\System32 instead.
This works with Outlook 2003 and newer, but you'll need to use the correct Office version number in the registry path.
Outlook 2016
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Options
Outlook 2013
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Outlook\Options
Outlook 2010
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook\Options
Outlook 2007
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook\Options
Outlook 2003
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Options
Open and Save Office Documents Path
To change the path that the Office applications use for Open and Saving files, and Outlook uses for Insert Attachments, Browse this PC, open Word or Excel's Options. On the Save dialog, change the Default location file location.
Add to Quick Access
An easy, low tech way to use a favorite folder: pin the most used folders to Quick Access. (In older versions of Windows, this was called the Places Bar or Favorites, those are customizable too.)
It's not quite as fast as changing the default folder, but won't negatively affect Outlook or other apps.
Published August 16, 2016. Last reviewed on April 7, 2017.
Just wanted to chime in and say THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
This worked like a charm. So funny that adding the path in regedit works for changing Outlook's default attachment save location. Why wouldn't that be an option in the GUI settings?!
Outlook uses the path office uses but if you want a different path for attachments, you need the key. It's not exposed in outlook because they don't want to encourage people to change it.
Agreed with James - THANK YOU! So clear, even a novice like me could accomplish this and save myself many clicks. Much appreciated!
How to I allow myself to add DATA files in Outlook 2016? Currently cannot Add in the Account Settings and Data files tab. Where is the security setting that blocking me?
Assuming this is not a company computer with a gpo set to block pst files... If you are adding a pst that you have, add it using file, open, outlook data files. If you need to create a new pst, you need to add it through account settings. Make sure you have the newest updates installed.