Ubuntu – stop apps from selecting “Recently Used” by default in file chooser dialogs

11.10dialoggtk

In Ubuntu and Kubuntu 11.10 I see changes in behaviour of GTK file chooser dialog. When I try to open new file (second, third etc, not first in editor) dialog show "Recenty used" section. It is very unsuitable for me, in 10.04 dialog shows folder where located previous open file. Anybody knows how i can bring back old behaviour?

Best Answer

To my knowledge, this is a "feature" of GTK+ 3.x, and I'm not so certain it can be changed.

If I find a solution I will update my answer, but for now I don't know of any (other than reporting a bug).

Update:

I believe I may have found a partial solution. It's not a permanent one unfortunately.

  1. Install dconf-tools.
  2. Run dconf-editor.
  3. Navigate to org.gtk.settings.file-chooser.
  4. Change the last-folder-uri value to the folder of your choosing, for example file:///home/rolandixor/Desktop.
  5. Your file chooser dialogues should now use this folder by default. However, they will revert to recently used if you use the dialogue but do not actually open/save a file.

Update2:

As this is rather tricky, here is another possible solution (partial):

  1. Open gedit.
  2. Open a file (from the folder you want to use).
  3. Save a file (save as) to the folder you want to use.
  4. Close gedit. This will only work if you actually open a file from a folder and save to a folder. If you open the dialogue and don't do anything, it will revert when you close it. There is no way around this.
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