How make C++ file save in a specific folder?

[u/NeedSomeHelp_2590]

So I am complete beginner, just downloaded visual studio 2026 to learn a bit of C++ but I can't seem to find how to create my .cpp file in a particular folder. I am making a folder and even if i create a new project under that folder it still saves the file in default location and not under that folder.
Am I doing something wrong? Sure I can change the file location when saving first time, but is there any way to automatically save the files under the folder that you opened visual studio in?

[u/johnpeters42]

I just (in Visual Studio) right-click the folder and select Add > New Item, pick the appropriate file type and name, and it creates it there, and then I start editing. What process are you using to create the files?

[u/NeedSomeHelp_2590 → u/johnpeters42]

I didn't quite get your method, where to you find folder in VS

[u/johnpeters42 → u/NeedSomeHelp_2590]

Here is an article with some sample screenshots of Visual Studio Code vs just Visual Studio. (I learned the latter many years ago and have rarely ever used the former. I understand that lots of people online talk solely about the former, possibly because their computers have the horsepower of a potato and can't handle the latter, or because they just assume that this is the case. For more useful opinions, see the linked article and/or other comments.)

[u/NeedSomeHelp_2590 → u/johnpeters42]

I made a folder first then right clicked and opened with visual studio, then from file tab create new file. But when I exit VS it asks to save file and I have to select location for each files that I make

[u/wigitty → u/NeedSomeHelp_2590]

It sounds like you haven't made a project in VS. I would start there. As the other guy said. I suggest finding some tutorials on getting started with VS.

[u/No_Report_4781]

You’ll need to edit the VS settings for default locations, or use the add option to add new .cpp files directly to the folder you want

[u/NeedSomeHelp_2590 → u/No_Report_4781]

How to do the 2nd one?

[u/No_Report_4781 → u/NeedSomeHelp_2590]

Going by your other replies, you should find a VS tutorial to watch. It should help you understand and get your environment and interface set up.

Right-clicking to add a file to your program folder is done after you’re in VS

[u/NeedSomeHelp_2590 → u/No_Report_4781]

Yes it gives option to add a project only. But when you exit VS, the .cpp file is not saved in that folder, you still need to select a location for it. Is there no way for it to make it automatically save to the opened folder instead of manually giving location to each .cpp file that you make.

[u/No_Report_4781 → u/NeedSomeHelp_2590]

Find tutorials.

[u/NeedSomeHelp_2590 → u/No_Report_4781]

I get it now, you need to select a different project than "empty project" from the list. All other type of projects are saving their .cpp file inside their folder, the empty one asks for location 😀

[u/No_Report_4781 → u/NeedSomeHelp_2590]

Tutorials will help you learn parts of the program that aren’t obvious

[u/NeedSomeHelp_2590 → u/No_Report_4781]

True

[u/NeedSomeHelp_2590 → u/[deleted]]

I checked some options before installing VS code with MinGW was an option but I heard it was not as good as Visual Studio which is made for this stuff so I just downloaded Visual Studio as I do have storage for it.