Management Studio default file save location

Question

Open a new query window. Write some SQL. Save the script, the Save File As dialog box opens - but always to the same default location in the Profiles directory. Is there any way to set my default file location? ...Like I used to do with apps from the 1980s?

Under Tools|Options a default location can be specified for query results. I need the same thing for new queries (the text editor). Tried changing locations in the Registry but SSMS just overwrote my changes. Any suggestions?

(I saw this unanswered question at http://www.eggheadcafe.com/software/aspnet/30098335/management-studio-default.aspx and I had same exact question so I just reposted it here)

Answer 1

This is 5 years old now, but it doesn't mention SSMS version, so I thought I'd add an update for SSMS 2012 and SSMS 2014. Step one differs between the versions, and then the rest is the same:

SSMS 2012

1. Locate C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\110\Tools\Binn\ManagementStudio\Extensions\Application

SSMS 2014

1. Locate C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\120\Tools\Binn\ManagementStudio\Extensions\Application

SSMS 2016

1. Locate C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\130\Tools\Binn\ManagementStudio\Extensions\Application

SSMS 17

1. Locate C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\140\Tools\Binn\ManagementStudio\Extensions\Application

SSMS 18

1. Locate C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18\Common7\IDE\Extensions\Application

All (continued)

2. Open ssms.application.pkgdef with text editor(e.g. Notepad)
3. Change the value of DefaultProjectsLocation "DefaultProjectsLocation"="$MyDocuments$\SQL Server Management Studio"
4. For query storage location (query itself, not results), edit this: "DefaultUserFilesFolderRoot"="SQL Server Management Studio"
5. Save the file

Thanks to this source: http://www.networksteve.com/forum/topic.php/How_to_change_the_default_query_save_location_in_SSMS/?TopicId=41425&Posts=0

Answer 2

I know this is an old question, but I found a link expaining how to do this properly, at least for SQL 2005. Think it will work for later versions as well.

Changing the my projects folder

The settings are stored in an .vssettings XML file in My Documents\SQL Server Management Studio\Settings folder. Make sure you close SSMS before making changes to this file: SSMS writes to it when you close the application and will overwrite any changes you make. To change the My Projects folder, you are looking for this line:

   <PropertyValue name="ProjectsLocation">%vsspv_user_documents%\My    Projects</PropertyValue> 

The value inside is the location of the My Projects folder. Simply change the value, and the next time you open SSMS the My Projects folder will be mapped.