Ambiguous question about default "open from" directory

[Blaze Odead]

I'm not sure what this thing is actually called. For instance, when I open word and click "Open" and it brings up the dialog box that asks me what file I want to open. It's got Some shortcuts on the left side like desktop, my documents, my computer, etc. It always opens to an inconvenient place and I was wondering if there was a system-wide way to change the default directory it automatically goes to, and also to set up custom shortcuts?

Since I don't actually know what this thing is called, its hard to google for an answer.

Thanks.


(Maybe its name has something to do with "Look in" ?)

[Chromite]

It's called the Places bar. You can use Tweak UI to edit it.

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/images/twkplaces.gif

[Blaze Odead]

Thanks for your wisdom, as always!