How to change the default Netbeans 7 project directory?

Question

This is only a minor annoyance but if I can figure this out I'll be very happy.

Is it possible to change the default project directory in Netbeans 7? I don't know if it's relevant but I have the PHP Netbeans distro.

Thanks!

Cryptoanalysis

Answer 1

In new netbeans 7 search file: D:\Users\YourWindowsUserName\.netbeans\7.0\config\Preferences\org\netbeans\modules\projectui.properties

Delete: *RecentProjectsDisplayNames.*8, *RecentProjectsIcons.*8, *recentProjectsURLs.*8 for cleaning recent projects.

Change projectsFolder for default projects folder when creating new one

To find out the location of the projectui.properties file for the latest versions of NetBeans for various operating systems:

http://wiki.netbeans.org/FaqWhatIsUserdir

Risky

Just an update, as of version 7.2 the netbeans folder is located under C:\Users\<username>\AppData, accessible by typing %appdata% into the start menu search box. – Emulsoid

Strangely for me, this didn't seem to work... I had to reinstall NetBeans and reset the default root project directory from the initial startup screen. It may have been because I was using a special build of NetBeans for a school course. – Flu

Answer 2

Under Linux, you can change it in the Netbeans configuration directory: .netbeans/6.8/config/Preferences/org/netbeans/modules/projectui.properties

Lathrop

Answer 3

I believe that Netbeans will remember where your last project was created and uses that as its default. So if you create a project and choose a different directory than the default, then that directory will now be the default.

Egg

This is partly true. When you enter the "Name and Location" section of the new project wizard 'Sources' defaults to a hard coded location, but if I click the browse button next to sources it defaults to the last folder used which is pretty good. I feel like I'm being super anal. – Cryptoanalysis

No you're not. I also would like a way to change it for good. Not just remember last location. – Celle

Answer 4

If you are asking for how to set the main project so that it runs by default and is debugged by default, then:

Run > Set Main Project, and select your project.

This will highlight in bold the name of the folder of your project in the files windows, usually on your the left hand side.

Pliner

Answer 5

Instructions for Mac, based on some of the answers above:

Make sure NetBeans is closed.

On a Mac, the edit ~/.netbeans/7.0/config/Preferences/org/netbeans/modules/projectui.properties

Look for a line that starts with projectsFolder=

Example:

projectsFolder=/Users/<your username>/NetBeansProjects

If this line does not exist, add it with the full path to the directory you want to use. And of course, if it already exists just edit it to your desired path.

Tomahawk

Answer 6

In newer versions, right-click on the project you want to move in the 'Projects' tab, and then click 'Move'. This will allow you to move the project to a new directory.

Porcelain

Answer 7

If you just want to move the projects in a Project Group, then do this:

( I am using NetBeans 8.0.2 )

( I have a Project Group based on root directory, and I imported all projects under that directory. )

1. Use Explorer to move (: copy if paranoid :) the projects' directories to the new location.
2. Edit the file C:\Users\<yourName>\AppData\Roaming\NetBeans\8.2.0\config\Preferences\org\netbeans\modules\projectui\groups\<theGroup>.properties
3. Change the path entry to the new location.
4. Open NetBeans and make sure Files / Project Groups ... is looking at the group of projects you think it is.

Taligrade

Answer 8

I use Netbeans 7.0.1 on Windows 7.

For me the projecui.properties file was in C:\users\.netbeans\7.0\config\Preferences\org\netbeans\modules\ directory. About the fourth line down is a property called projectsFolder. Just change that to the folder you want and you're done!

Caveat: this is Java, so if you have a backslash, you have to double it up (C:\folder would be C:\\folder). It seems like I did this before within the application itself, but I could not for the life of me find it. I realize this is an old thread, but it was my first hit googling my problem, so I'm sure others will as well. -Mike

Trapezohedron

Answer 9

On my Windows 7 it's Users\\AppData\Roaming\NetBeans\7.2.1\config\Preferences\org\netbeans

Ropedancer

Answer 10

On Windows you could find that file in:

[%USERPROFILE%|$Env:UserProfile]\.netbeans\...\projectui.properties

Found this, http://wiki.netbeans.org/FaqAlternateUserdir, but did not have success with it. Neither the command line value nor netbeans_default_userdir from netbeans.conf were persisted to projectui.properties.

Programme