I want to open a file browser in JavaScript and set a default directory to this file browser. For example, I will like to set the default directory to "C:\My Documents".

How to set a default directory? It's better to use <input type="file"/>, other controls are ok too.

I want to open a file browser in JavaScript and set a default directory to this file browser. For example, I will like to set the default directory to "C:\My Documents".

How to set a default directory? It's better to use <input type="file"/>, other controls are ok too.

• javascript
• html

• possible duplicate of control the working directory for <input type="file">? – mortb Commented Jul 2, 2013 at 8:17
• I don't think it is possible. How users with a non-windows OS would use it? And think about the security risk of accessing user's filesystem. – Michael Sazonov Commented Jul 2, 2013 at 8:18
• I'm currently not sure if it is possible to define a certain location in html5 like images, documents or movies as default. But even if it is now possible, defining a whole path like C:\My Documents (i hope it is not possible) would not make much sens, because the path could change from system to system. – t.niese Commented Jul 2, 2013 at 8:20
• My requirement is not limit to <input type="file"/>, others are fine for me if it doesn't support to specify default directory. It's fine if can set images, documents or movies (specific folders) as default. – ldlchina Commented Jul 2, 2013 at 8:30

2 Answers 2

This is impossible, as it is a security risk to let website code set any value on the machine.

Also, you can never be sure that directory exists. What if I'm on a Mac? My stuff are in ~/Pictures. What if I installed Windows on D:\?

From http://www.pcreview.co.uk/threads/automatically-put-a-default-filename-in-input-type-file-value.2192852/

<input type="file" value="YourDefaultPathAndFilename.AndExtension">