Download Default Folder X for Mac - Enhances Open and Save dialog boxes. MacUpdate Mac System Software Downloads

Default Folder X... Recently rated 5 mice by MacUser UK and 4.5 mice by Macworld, Default Folder X attaches a toolbar to the right side of the Open and Save dialogs in any OS X-native application. The toolbar gives you fast access to various folders and commands. You just click on the buttons to go to your favorite and recently used folders, manage the folders and files shown in the list, and make changes to your settings.

Default Folder also fixes a number of problems in Open and Save dialogs, "rebounding" back to the last selected file, putting the path listing back in the top menu, and correcting bugs in scrolling column views.

Version 4.3.5:

Fixed an error which could leave Default Folder X's controls on-screen after a Save dialog was dismissed.
There's now a switch to disable the updating of OpenMeta tags. The latest version of OpenMeta uses different names for its tags, and therefore has to convert all your existing tags to the new format. This can use a lot of CPU time, so you may want to wait and do it while your computer is idle. Note that if you use Default Folder X for OpenMeta tagging, your old tags must be converted before Default Folder X will see them. However, if you only use tagging in a specific context, such as in your email using MailTags, you can safely disable the tag conversion. To turn off tag updating, option-click on the Settings button in Default Folder X's preferences, then turn on the DisableOpenMetaUpgrade checkbox.
Default Folder X now remembers the width of the sidebar in Open and Save dialogs. Resize it once and it will be the same size the next time.
Solved the problem of the Default Folder X Addition.osax file getting moved to the Trash every time Default Folder X was restarted.
A white 'ghost' of Default Folder X's controls no longer appears after a file dialog has been dismissed.
Preferences were not always saved when you restarted your Mac. This has been fixed.
Default Folder X is now compatible with the latest release of Cinema4D (version 11.528).
There's no longer a long delay when you use the Get Info command from within the Default Folder X application or from the menubar menu.
If a floating window popped up (in PTHPasteboard, for example) while Default Folder X was displaying its rename dialog or another modal window, the application owning the current Open or Save As dialog could hang. This has been fixed.
Default Folder X's logic for remembering and restoring the size and position of file dialogs has been improved.
Default Folder X's controls now correctly show and hide themselves in Save As PDF dialogs.
Numeric sorting works correctly in hierarchical menus ("Folder 1", then "Folder 2", then "Folder 12").
When expanding a Save As dialog using the little triangle next to the filename box, Default Folder X's windows no longer flicker.
The keyboard equivalent shown in the Recent Folders menu now has one arrow instead of two when running under Snow Leopard.
The appearance and disappearance of the Default Folder X bezel is now smoother.
Text is no longer truncated in the Info window of the French version.
Default Folder X uses the latest version of OpenMeta.

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GCOGHILL I just realized that I never gave a review here for what is probably my most-used and favorite shareware app for the Mac.

I have been a registered user since way back in the OS 9 days, and Default Folder is the first app I install on any new Mac.

Demo this, read & understand what it does and within days (if not hours) you'll be buying a license.

Very helpful developers as well, always get prompt and friendly help whenever I have issues or questions (which have been rare and usually limited to significant upgrades with either DFX or OS X). Super stable and just about the most handy piece of software I purchased a license for. A must-have.
(Version 4.0.8)

MREDRUP I've used this in the past and like it, but it's kind of expensive for the casual home user. I might consider it next time it's offered at a discount.
(Version 4.3.1)

Replies:

Nov 6 2009

DONMONTALVO I agree, for what this brings to the table, it's way overpriced. It's good stuff, for sure, but certainly not worth $35. Lower the price to $10 and watch people stampede to get it.

Don Montalvo, TX
(Version 4.3.3)

Dec 1 2009

HMURCHISON Getting in at a discount is good thing. That's how I've done it and I'm pleased and will be upgrading during the next major upgrade. DFX isn't cheap and that causes people to hesitate but once you've setup your folders and leveraged some of the other features you just kind of expect these features to be a part of your computing life. I love the tagging on Open/Save and pretty soon I'll get savvy with the keyboard shortcuts. Everyone has a different value system but let me tell you this ..if you have a fairly organized folder hierarchy and you "know" immediately what file goes where DFX is painless to setup and you can begin to learn the other features.
(Version 4.3.4)

Dec 1 2009

WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS In addition, this company handles upgrades very poorly. ($15 to upgrade from previous versions, or nearly half of original, already high price.) For a piece of single-purpose (however useful) software that costs more than a whole operating system (Snow Leopard) or at least a good chunk of the cost of an operating system (earlier OS X versions), it really should be a lifetime license. I have already bought this three times (including OS 9 and twice on OS X), and resent being asked to buy it a fourth, or fifth, etc., time. When version 4 came out I just said no. I'll drag & drop a folder from the finder to open & save dialogs instead.
(Version 4.3.4)

Dec 1 2009

HMURCHISON Wait let me get this straight. $15 is a steep upgrade price for a $35 app? I certainly hope you don't look at the upgrade price for iLife or Bento. Default Folder has been around for years which is a testament to the developer's ability to keep it modern. If you don't see the value or if dragging files to your folder is worth saving $15 more power to you. I can't buy more time so I buy apps that help me save the time I have.
(Version 4.3.4)

Dec 1 2009

ST. CLAIR SOFTWARE I also only charge for upgrades every couple of years at most. And there's typically a 6 month grace period (you don't pay an upgrade fee if you've paid for DFX in the last 6 months).

I try to be fair with Default Folder X 's pricing. It saves people a lot of time and to be perfectly honest, it's expensive to maintain and support. Some people complain that it's too expensive, while others offer to pay for upgrades even when they don't have to because they value it that much (and say they want to make sure I keep supporting and upgrading it).

As the saying goes, your mileage may vary. If DFX doesn't save you enough time and aggravation to justify its cost, then it may not be for you. For others, I get feedback like this tweet I saw today: "Turned off Default Folder X to take some screen shots. It's like someone taking my mouse away!"
(Version 4.3.4)

Dec 2 2009

SOLVS I get that you have to make money and all, but I also bought it at discount and think it should be a bit cheaper. Love the app itself, and the continued updates (though I rarely have an issue) and ever since I d/l'ed the trial find it indispensable. And I NEVER buy plugin-type apps. But for the price, it's hard to justify to others.
(Version 4.3.5)

Dec 2 2009

WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS If you had a truly nominal upgrade price, like $5, I'd have no problem paying it. I know it seems silly to quibble over $10 but developers have to understand that their products are but one of possibly hundreds power users will use and those fees add up. If some people offer to voluntarily contribute for maintenance update, that might be a viable model also. Charge a nominal fee but ask for voluntary extra contributions from the die hard fans. When you offer discounts or promos, consider also discounting the upgrade fees. Default Folder is an excellent utility but it basically does one thing (however well), and it's hard to ever feel that the product is updated, rather than compatibility with OS changes is maintained. (I know new features have been added but personally I don't really use more than the basic functions that have been present since OS 9, and I suspect that's true of many casual users.)
(Version 4.3.5)

Dec 2 2009

HMURCHISON Sorry...nominal fees don't pay the mortgage.

Any person in business knows the run rate in sales and how that correlates to their pricing. I may have a 30 dollar app that is popular but on the expensive side. Sure I could reduce it to 15 dollars and I will see an increase in sales but to generate the same revenue provided by the 30 dollar app I now must sell twice as many licenses and support twice as many people.

The only way Jon can show he cares about his client is to ship good software with improved features the only way we can show we care is to buy the app. If we don't care we don't buy his app. He's put two years of work in between paid upgrades and people want him to price his software like it's some Extra Value Meal at Macdonalds???
(Version 4.3.5)

DTR I've found that a lot of UI add-ons turn out to be useless bells and whistles that actually get in the way of productivity. Not this one! Everything about it is easy; easy installation, easy to understand, easy to learn how to use all of its convenient features. Customizing the appearance is fun. I've found it to be stable and reliable.

Default Folder X has so spoiled me, that I feel like I'm working with my arm tied behind my back when I'm working on someone else's Mac. It works perfectly with Adobe Creative Suite, QuarkXpress, Freehand, and every other app I routinely use. I'll use and update this gem until Apple has the good sense to incorporate it into future OS versions.
(Version 4.2)

RONL SUPERB! Well worth the money.

I've been using DF for years and would not even want to imagine what it would be like to not have it.

Thanks!
(Version 4.3)

MACSTERDAM This is one of the few system add-ons I find to be indispensable. It seriously enhances all aspects of the open/save sheets, and in a such way that it feels part of the original OS.

It speeds up my workflow enormously. And in addition, the developer is always quick with updates to make sure it still works with Apple latest updates.

Well worth the money, I think.
(Version 4.3.1)

STORMCHILD I've been using iterations of Default Folder for over 10 years now. For awhile, I had an army of essential addons, but over the years my need for those has diminished, and I've stopped using most of them -- except Default Folder. Still can't do without it.

Oddly, I don't actually use it to change the *default* behavior of anything. Back in the OS 9 (and earlier) days, open/save dialogs were often particularly stupid about remembering where you were, forcing you to keep repeating the same actions to access the same folder, and at that time it was helpful to override the defaults -- which is where Default Folder gets its name.

Nowadays, I wonder if it hasn't outgrown its name, as it does so much more than the name suggests. For me it's a handy set of shortcuts and useful tools, each of which save a few clicks in navigating the Finder and open/save dialogs.

There are precious few developers who have worked so tirelessly to maintain and improve their apps over such a long time, with such a consistent standard of quality. The Mac community owes a debt of gratitude to Jon Gotow / St. Clair Software.
(Version 4.2.1)

GORDON142 This app makes save dialogs 100% more useful and is an incredible time-saver. On top of that, the developer is incredibly responsive to support requests and has always been able to solve any issues I have had with the product (even to the extent of providing pre-release or custom builds).
(Version 4.3.1)

JO* I couldn't live without this anymore. Among one of the first apps I install whenever I buy a new Mac besides a few other indispensables such as 1Password or KeyCue.

One thing I'm missing though is a folder hirarchy list similar to the finder below the main window (between the main window and the tag/preview pane) for a quick glance of where in my folder list I am. I know there is a drop down hirarchy list right below the filename entry field but that requires touching the mouse and I'm so much a keyboard person that I try to avoid the mouse whenever possible.

Hope the dev reads along here now and then and takes this as a feature request. Don't know if that's feasible but maybe the dev might wanna have a look into this.
(Version 4.3)

JMTSKILLS Default Folder X is fantastic! This program is a huge time saver. It's great to be able to quickly save files without having to drill down through folder hierarchies. The tagging system is extremely effective too. Now I can easily search files based on relevant terms which may not have been present in my documents. The developer is extremely responsive too. I e-mailed him to see if I might be able to position the app's menu bar on the left side of the screen instead of the right and in less than a week he incorporated that into a new version!

Fellow lefties (and people whose primary languages read right to left) you can now option-click on the Settings button the Default Folder X v. 4.3.1d4 preference pane and turn on the "ToolbarOnLeft" checkbox :)
(Version 4.3)

KORM This is an indispensable app.
(Version 4.3)