File Locations Tab

File locations

Application.Options.DefaultFilePath(wdDefaultFilePath.wdDocumentsPath) = "" 
Application.Options.DefaultFilePath(wdDefaultFilePath.wdPicturesPath) = "" 
Application.Options.DefaultFilePath(wdDefaultFilePath.wdUserTemplatesPath) = "" 
Application.Options.DefaultFilePath(wdDefaultFilePath.wdWorkgroupTemplatesPath) = "" 
Application.Options.DefaultFilePath(wdDefaultFilePath.wdAutoRecoverPath) = "" 
Application.Options.DefaultFilePath(wdDefaultFilePath.wdToolsPath) = "" 
Application.Options.DefaultFilePath(wdDefaultFilePath.wdStartUpPath) = "" 

Setting this to the empty string will clear the entry.

How to retrieve Word's default Documents path or Pictures path setting

It is also possible to obtain the following directories as well
This is the directory of the start up path

Application.StartupPath = "C:\Documents and Settings\"User name"\Application Data\Microsoft\Word\Startup" 

This is the directory of the path where Excel.exe is stored

Application.Path = "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\ 

It is also possible to obtain the path separator character - only useful for compatibility with Macintosh.

Application.PathSeparator = "\" 

You cannot use to get the default document path, because this returns the current FileOpen path, not the default documents path!!

myDocPath = Options.DefaultFilePath (wdDocumentsPath) 

Instead, use:

Dim myDocPath As String 
myDocPath = Dialogs(wdDialogToolsOptionsFileLocations).Setting 

'Add a "\" at the end of the path, unless the setting is already followed by a "\" -
'which it will be if the setting is set to a root folder 
If Not Right$(myDocPath, 1) = "\" Then 
    myDocPath = myDocPath + "\" 
End If 

MsgBox myDocPath 

Similarly, you cannot use because if the user has inserted a picture from a different folder, the Default File Path returns that folder rather than the actual setting from the dialog box.

myPicPath = Options.DefaultFilePath(wdPicturesPath) 

Instead, use:

With Dialogs(wdDialogToolsOptionsFileLocations) 
    .Path = "PICTURE-PATH" 
    .Update 
    myPicPath = .Setting 

    If Not Right$(myPicPath, 1) = "\" Then 
        myPicPath = myPicPath + "\" 
    End If 

    MsgBox myPicPath 
End With