Folder Guide for Windows

Used Folder Guide for Windows?

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffOctober 2, 2025

Place your favorite folder shortcuts on the right-click menu with this handy freeware utility. Folder Guide's compact button and results window interface won't take more than a minute to understand. Even the single page Help file is superfluous.

Operating this utility is a piece of cake. Simply click Add to create an alias and insert the folder path. A built-in browse function makes it easy to navigate to the folder. The alias is immediately available under the Folder Guide option on the right-click menu. With a click you can sort the aliases alphabetically, or reorder them using simple Up and Down buttons. Keeping different sets of aliases is easy with Export and Import functions. Our testers found that the program uses few resources, and the quick access to favorite folders saved them time and trouble.

While this is freeware that works very well, we did wish for the ability to set a different font for the aliases. Nevertheless, novices to expert users will find this utility a very useful timesaver.

What’s new in version 1.2

Version 1.2 adds separator line between alias.

Folder Guide for Windows

Used Folder Guide for Windows?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: August 21, 2008

Latest update: October 2, 2025

Version: 1.2

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows ME
Windows 2000
Windows 98
Windows XP
Windows 95
Windows Vista
Windows 10

Additional Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 13,881

Downloads Last Week: 1

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.6/5

19 User Votes

Exceptionally useful, time-saving click-saver.
Pause2ReflectJuly 20, 2011
Pros
This utility, & I have tried many, is the primary way I navigate. Works even in open & save dialog boxes. Right-click, select, and I'm THERE -- no folder-click-subfolder-so on. And after several years of use on 2 XP and 2 Vista system, problem-free.
Cons
Settings interface could be prettier (and maximize-able). But after initial setup you so rarely need to go there.
Summary
I enter few reviews; this utility deserves it. Get used to the method, which *doesn't take long at all*, and you'll love the instant travel between even path-divergent, well-nested folders.
Ah, the next step in a fresh install.
Doctor EntropyFebruary 1, 2011
Pros
Does what it says on the tin. Replace a fist full of registry hacks and more with one extension. Be lazy! Customize at will. Lives in context menus. Low overhead.
Cons
Apparently not built for 7/Vista. Um, I have to take a minute to turn off some bits I don't use or which I access differently? Not much of a con, but the Stars asked.
Summary
Used it for ages. Use a variety of default actions from right-click Explorer context menu, add your own, disable what you don't need. Some extensions can go wonky, but this one never caused any problems on my systems. w00t
Seems Fine, But Too Obtrusive
raywoodSeptember 20, 2010
Pros
Seems to do what it's supposed to do.
Cons
Inserts a Folder Guide entry at the very top of the File menu in Windows Explorer in XP. It's obtrusive. Users get familiar with their menus, don't want programs injecting their stuff at random.
Summary
I use FileBox eXtender instead.
A must have for all!
jexpogiJuly 1, 2010
Pros
Saves me a lot of time when browsing my files, this old app is easy to figure out.
Cons
When I was using windows xp sp2 it disables the open option in the right click context menu of the dvd drives.
Summary
Well I'm amazed that it works in Windows 7. It doesn't even mess up the context menu like it used to in Windows XP. Works even better in Windows 7 with no problems.
very handy and now cannot go without it
x356xJanuary 29, 2010
Pros
Getting to files quicker
Cons
No problems that i can think of.
Summary
Quick access to your Folders, the Easy Way - Great Tool
ZiffDNovember 25, 2009
Pros
The main Pro is it saves a huge amount of time trying to find your must used and lesser used Directories. Probably has saved me a Light Year already! easy to Use! and Free. What more can I say " Does exactly what it says on the Tin?"
Cons
would like automated backup of the Folder List Can be done manually through menu. What I am really trying say is that when you add a new folder to the list I wish it would make an automated backup of the folder list in a place of users choosing.
Summary
1. Easy to use. 2. Self explanatory. 3. Does exactly what it says. 4. Have used it for more than a year and had no problems.
Neat tool, makes it easy to quickly navigate to folders
rosshiukJuly 7, 2009
Pros
Works great on win xp pro
Cons
None so far, I've been using it for a good while now
Summary
If you want an app that gets you to your hand picked folders quickly, then this app will suit you. Just right click your mouse when in a folder finding process; explorer, saving or opening a file etc.. Choose the location from your custom list. Its a big time saver, you no longer have to navigate click after click after click. To add a folder is easy too, right click on the folder and choose ADD...
Extremely handy, but with one problem
NearlyNormalSteveMarch 16, 2009
Pros
Very fast and convenient way to open frequently used folders.
Cons
Right click context menu for CD/DVD drive in "My Computer" loses OPEN, EXPLORE and SEARCH options. When Folder Guide is uninstalled these reappear. (tried this on two different machines, both XP)
Summary
This is such a handy utility, I wish it didn't exhibit this behavior...
I love - LOVE - Folder Guide!
AdelheidBernsteinFebruary 10, 2009
Pros
Absolutely one of the best, and more frequently used, add-ons to my system. I regularly have to save, move, copy and delete files across numerous folders and drives. This makes navigating between particular folders a breeze.
Cons
None! This has integrated perfectly in Win98, Win2k, WinXP, and Vista without any problems.
Summary
This is installed on each and every computer I work on, and it has literally saved me hours of tedious navigation from folder to folder. It's easy to configure, doesn't slow my system down at all, and is totally free. HIGHLY recommended!
convenient
pfubarFebruary 5, 2009
Pros
fast way to get to folder
Cons
crashes ALL my browsers after a save using folder guide 1.x
Summary
crash causes restart of browser -- unacceptable !!!

Developer’s Description

Get instant access to your desired folders.

Folder Guide is a free handy utility that provides fast access to your frequently used and favorite folders with a single click. After quick install it will appear in context menus of Windows Explorer and Open/Save dialogs as Folder Guide item. It also works from the desktop, the Start button. With Folder Guide, you no longer need dozens of mouse clicks to navigate to your desired folder. Version 1.2 adds separator line between alias.