Folder Guide (via Download Squad) provides quick access to Windows folders that have been added to the software program. It acts pretty much like a new entry to the right-click context menu which becomes available on the Desktop, in Windows Explorer and Open/Save/Browse dialog windows.

The Windows folders that have been added that way can be opened with only two clicks no matter where they are located on the hard drive. One benefit of Folder Guide is that the application itself is only running during configuration of the Windows folders that are added to it which means it does not add another icon to the system tray or use up valuable computer memory.

New Folders can also be added to the application by right-clicking the folder and selecting Add To Folder Guide from the menu. This makes it easy and comfortable to add all Windows Folders that are updated regularly to the software.

A similar program to add Windows Folders as favorites is Direct Folders which has been covered before at Ghacks.

Direct Folders adds a double-click menu that gives the user access to folders,files and recent documents that he has added to the application before. The system is so simple that I would call it brilliant. A double-click opens the Direct Folders menu when you are in Windows Explorer, Windows desktop or a file browsing dialog (like Save or Load) and opens a folder or file with just another click.

Several items can be added to the menu. First of all direct access to folders and files can be added on the main level. Separators can be used to visualize folder categories or add a break between folders and files. Last but not least subfolders can be created that add another level to the menu meaning in return that you need another action to access the folders or files contained within.

Several other file related settings can be changed in Direct Folder. The default size of the file dialogs windows can be changed to an appropriate size as well as the default viewing mode (Thumbnails, Icons, Details, Tiles and List), the sort order (Name, Size, Type and Date) and if it should be ascending or descending.

The folder and file favorites as well as the recent documents can also be accessed by shortcuts. The default shortcuts are Windows Q for the Favorites and Windows W for the recent documents.

A pro version is available as well which adds several new functions like information about the size of a drive, the ability to set default folders for any application and an option to customize folder icons.

Folder Guide makes it possible to reach any folder that you have added with just two clicks. Adding folders is pretty easy as well. You click on Add in the main program interface and choose an alias which is the name that will be shown in the right-click menu and a path to the folder that should be opened when you select it. The program can add any folder that is accessible on the system. You can also right-click any folder in Windows Explorer directly to add it to the folder list this way.

It is furthermore possible to sort the folders in the right-click menu to create a structure that you are comfortable with. You can add folders from removable drives or network drives which is nice if you are connecting those to your computer.

Selected paths are opened automatically when you select them in the right-click context menu.

Update: Folder Guide has been last updated in 2008. It is still compatible with all recent versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system. I have tested it on a 64-bit Windows 7 installation and the context menu showed up fine in Windows Explorer.

Please note that you may need to log out and in again, restart the computer or kill the explorer.exe process before you see the new context menu entry in Windows Explorer.

The program ships with import and export options, which is useful if you want to have the same folders accessible on multiple Windows systems.