PlacesBar Editor is a small utility that makes it possible to set up a customized list of folders in the Windows “Save File” dialog.

Rating: 5

Version tested: 1.0.2

Following my FindeXer post, I was introduced to this related program in the comments section (thank you “Risk”!) In fact it turns out that PlacesBar does something different from FindeXer; while the latter provides an easy way to access shortcuts within any open folder, PlacesBar allows you to remove and/or add a customized list of folders in the Windows “Save File” dialog (see screenshot). Here are some notes on this program:

• PlacesBar is not a memory resident program. It does not to be running after using it to edit the list of folder in the “Save” dialog.
• PlacesBar does not need to be installed, and you can simply delete it to uninstall it (note that any changes made will remain after deletion, unless you revert back to default beforehand).
• You can only customize up to five folders, as the “Save file” dialog only can only accomodate this number of folder.
• If you want to add any special folder (e.g. My Computer, Desktop, My Network Places), PlacesBar conveniently collects all of these and makes them available upon the press of a button in the program interface.
• You can drag and drop folders to sort them. Strangely, though, due to the size of the PlacesBar program on my screen the five folders were not all neatly shown on a single screen simultaneously and it was not really possible to re-order the 4th and 5th entries very well (a snag that can be easily worked around, but is rather strange nonetheless).
• If you have no idea what I meant by the bullet point above, forget about it. You will likely see what I mean when using the program.

This is the kind of freeware that I like; simple, straightforward, and useful. (Oh, and required no installation). Check it out by all means.

Compatibility: Windows 2000, Windows ME and Windows XP; no info on Vista.

Go to the program page to get the latest version (approx 33K); look for the links in the upper right hand corner.