new Open Dialog in 2026

[olekie]

The new "Open File" dialog clearly displays storage locations outside the workspace. There's a high risk that many files won't be saved in the workspace, numerous warning messages will appear, and problems will occur when checking in to the vault.

The actual advantages of Windows Explorer, such as browsing via the path line and the history dropout at "back", are not found in the Open dialog.

The "Expand to open folder" option must be enabled in Windows Explorer to affect the Inventor Open dialog. It is not possible to achieve a different appearance in different environments.
You've really made the new Open Dialog worse.
I hope there will be a patch with a better "Open Dialog" version or the option to switch to the old dialog.

[CCarreiras]

Hi!

You still have the workspace when opening files:

Yes, i can see your pint of view... I don't see substantial advantages in this new "open file" dialog, 

[olekie]

Of course, the "workspace" is still there. But we have many new designers and external partners working in our system. We're already having problems with design files being saved outside of the workspace. In the new dialog, all storage locations outside the workspace are presented in an extremely dominant manner. As a non-expert user, you might think that all storage locations are permitted in the new version.

[mat_hijs]

I don't see the problem. Where a file is saved should be up to the user. If the user wants to save it on the desktop, it should be saved on the desktop. Unless you disabled it you should always get a warning saying that you're saving outside of the current workspace. If that's not enough I don't see what more AutoDesk could do without limiting freedom.

[olekie]

Unless you disabled it ....
What can be disabled?

[mat_hijs]

The warning message can be enabled or disabled in the application options.

[DRudaz]

Hello,

Sorry but this new opening dialog box is a disaster.

If you wanted a Windows look, there is Windows Explorer that works. In addition, before, we had the possibility of having subfolders in frequently used folders that no longer exist. The advantage of the old dialog box was that it corresponded to the project location definitions and made navigating through folders simple. If we wanted to have this new interface, we would have to go all the way and remove the concept of project in Inventor.

Fortunately for Vault users, there is opening from the vault which offers a better alternative.

Bonjour,

Désolé mais cette nouvelle boite de dialogue d'ouverture est une catastrophe.

Si on voulait un look Windows il y a l'explorateur de Windows qui fonctionne. De plus avant on avait dans les dossiers fréquemment utilisés la possibilité d'avoir des sous dossiers qui n'existent plus maintenant. L'avantage de l'ancienne boite de dialogue était qu'elle correspondait aux définitions d'emplacements du projet et qui rendait simple la navigation dans les dossiers. Si on voulait avoir cette nouvelle interface il faudrait aller au bout des choses et supprimer la notion de projet dans Inventor.

Heureusement pour les utilisateurs Vault il y a l'ouverture depuis le coffre qui offre une meilleure alternative.

Best regards

Dominique

[olekie]

Completely agree: "...If we wanted to have this new interface, we would have to go all the way and remove the concept of project in Inventor...."
From my point of view, all project file settings should be managed by the EDM system when working with Vault or another data management tool. Only if you work as an individual user and don't share the design with a team can you save your data wherever you want. The new dialog seems to be designed for this group of people.

[olekie · Accepted solution]

Fixed in 2026.1
Inventor 2026 Help | General Enhancements | Autodesk

Open Dialog Navigation Enhancement

You can now control the display of the windows navigation section within the Open dialog with the new Application Options > Files tab setting Show Windows Folder Navigation in the File Dialogs.

[alan.frishman]

I totally agree with you.

This dialog box is pointless. and it doesn't remember its size nor settings.

[karthur1]

It was supposedly fixed in 2026.1.  See post #9 above.

[tkSHE78]

Please look at attached picture and tell me which of the dialogs New or Classic that gives the best overview and the least amount of mouse clicks, for navigating the relevant Folders.

There is also an attached answer to the same question from Perplexity.ai

[dmcreynolds]

I just installed 2026 and am not happy with the new open file or save file dialog. I found this topic on the forums but no real solution.

Has anyone found a way to use the legacy, (2025), open / save file dialog?

I work exclusively with individual projects and project files. The new method creates more room for error with less experienced users in the organization.

Until this is changed I have reverted back to 2025.

***Update***

Looks like this has been addressed in 2027.

[JCrilly]

I have found a way to use the previous version dialog box. I don't know why it works, but it does. Hopefully by posting it here, it's not programmed away in future updates.

Right-Click on the ribbon, go to Customize User Commands. Keyboard tab, scroll to Open.

Change the shortcut to Alt+Ctrl+O

Do the same for Save Copy command & Save command

I use Alt+Ctrl+S & Alt+Ctrl+Z.

When you apply the changes and use the keyboard command, the old dialog box should open up. It only works when the keyboard command starts with Alt+Ctrl. 

I have these keystrokes mapped to my 3DConnexion so I don't have to always go to the keyboard. You can still access the new dialog boxes by going File>Open , File>Save, etc.