How to open a file browser with default directory in Javascript?

Question

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.

possible duplicate of control the working directory for <input type="file">? — mortb
– 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
– 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
– 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
– ldlchina, Commented Jul 2, 2013 at 8:30

casraf · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-02 08:45:51Z

21

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:\?

edited Jul 2, 2013 at 8:45

answered Jul 2, 2013 at 8:20

casraf

21.8k10 gold badges60 silver badges93 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

Michael Paccione Over a year ago

If you are developing enterprise software that runs on a single platform you can pretty well be 100% sure a directory exists.

hoss Over a year ago

@MichaelPaccione This is Untrue. I just ran into an issue that locks Chrome up completely for 200+ seconds when an NFS share is not available. This happens because my resource is behind a VPN and if the PWD is within this resource and the user is not connected to the network or the VPN it looks like their chrome crashed. I came here to see if this was exploitable and fortunately it's not!

Alex Shroyer · Accepted Answer · 2016-09-25 19:45:45Z

-8

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

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

edited Sep 25, 2016 at 19:45

Alex Shroyer

3,8592 gold badges33 silver badges57 bronze badges

answered Feb 19, 2015 at 7:40

user2099484

4,5592 gold badges23 silver badges9 bronze badges

2 Comments

Thiago Conrado Over a year ago

I really would like to it work... I'm sure about the file location but I really dont believe this will work due security reasons; but if you can, I would love to see a working example for javaScript

Peter Kelley Over a year ago

As one of the downvoters I feel obliged to explain why: this answer appears to be just plain wrong. There's no explanation of whether the responder even successfully used it - only a link to an external discussion. In fact - in the site linked discussion they also say it doesn't work for the same reasons stated in this discussion! Why was it even referenced here?

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to open a file browser with default directory in Javascript?

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

2 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related