Why does the File Explorer window seemingly change based on the program I'm using for a Save/Export Operation?

Question

This may have been asked before, not sure. If so, apologies and kindly point me to the correct thread.

For clarity, I'm using Windows 11 v23H2

Here is my issue:

1. Using the below screenshot as a typical example.
2. Saving a file from Photoshop, I'm presented with what I think of as the "standard" file explorer. I have a file path option which I use extensively to find the files I want. I also have the standard navigation pane on the left hand side with all my primary and recently used links. (Green arrows below)
3. When saving from Audacity, however, I'm presented a scaled down version of File Explorer. It is completely missing the file path, and the left hand navigation path is completely different. I hate this version of File Explorer. (Red arrow below)..
4. The bottom option occurs on a handful of programs on my PC, and I can't figure out why. I've looked in vain to find an answer to this.
5. My preference is to change whatever setting needs to be changed in order to ONLY ever see the top version of File Explorer.

Can anyone help with this? This is one of those super annoying things with Windows I've tolerated for years. I've finally mustered up enough energy to type this post.

Any help that can be offered would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi, Sam. I'm Robinson, and I’m happy to help you today.

Unfortunately, there is nothing that you can do to change it. The decision on how the save/export window will be opened is made by the developer of the app and only the developers can change it.

When the developer is developing the app, they have two options.

-Option 1: Set to use the default Windows dialogs, this is the option that Photoshop uses. When the developer uses this option the dialog boxes will be opened using the same dialog boxes that Windows uses for everything.

-Option 2: Set to use the default dialogs from the IDE (integrated development environment) or the default dialogs from the language that the app is developed. When the developer uses this option a personalized dialog box will be opened instead of the default from Windows.

This is why there is a difference in how each app shows the dialog box. This is a design decision made by the developers.

I hope this information helps. If you have any questions, please let me know and I'll be glad to assist you further.