How to change PHPStorm 8 default new project location?

Question

When I create a new project, I must edit the current project location each time, because our global projects are on:

~/Sites/

However, PHPStorm sets it default as:

~/PhpstormProjects/

How can I change the default location as mine?

Answer 1

There is no GUI for that.

PhpStorm should remember last used folder (when you successfully created new project) and use it by default for next one (does for me; although I'm using the same path since v1 .. maybe this was broken since then).

If it does not and if you have brave heart .. you can edit config file directly :)

PhpStorm v8 and earlier:

• Close IDE
• Open this file in any text editor: C:\Users\USERNAME\.WebIde80\config\options\ide.general.xml (path is for PhpStorm v8 on Windows 7; for other OS/versions please see this link: https://intellij-support.jetbrains.com/entries/23358108-Directories-used-by-the-IDE-to-store-settings-caches-plugins-and-logs )
• File is very short -- just find <option name="lastProjectLocation" node and edit value attribute -- put desired path there
• Save changes, Launch IDE and see if it worked for you.

PhpStorm v9 and newer: such setting is now located in recentProjectDirectories.xml file -- look for <option name="lastProjectLocation" value="LAST_PATH_HERE" /> entry.

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There is a ticket asking for a GUI setting for this: https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/WI-8839 -- watch it (star/vote/comment) to get notified on progress.

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For default folder for "Open Folder" kind of dialogs -- follow IDEA-84622 ticket.

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UPDATE 2018-05-25:

2018.2 will have a GUI field for that (Settings/Preferences | Appearance & Behavior | System Settings) -- see this comment.