How to change the default NetBeans 8.0.2 project directory?

  1. Edit the file:

    C:\Users\adminuser\AppData\Roaming\NetBeans\8.0.2\config\Preferences\org\netbeans\modules\projectui.properties
  2. Set the key/value (note the double backslashes):

    lastOpenProjectDir=C:\\Java\\NetBeansProjects
  3. Create a new project and choose Project Location = C:\Java\NetBeansProjects

Next time you create a new project, the new project location will be set by default.