[R] Windows standard interface: change working dorectory

Robert Baer
Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:54:05 -0000

One of the things that has really simplified things for my students is
using RStudio to run R, and then always creating (working within) an
RProject.

The location of the RProject becomes the default location (home folder)
for all related files in the project.? It dispenses with having to teach
the students too much about absolute and relative paths, and it is very
flexible in the sense that you can move a folder from one drive to
another or from one computer to another, and things still work as long
as you start R (RStudio) with the same project selected.

I had no end of agony with "path confusion" before using this
approach.

Rob

On 12/8/2025 5:22 AM, Calboli Federico (LUKE) wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I need to provide the simplest possible indication to R users with either
windows or macos machines on how to change working directory. Using setwd() will
not work because I cannot trust them to even understand the concept of working
directory.
>
> On macos it is possible to have a GUI menu (the standard R GUI) that would
allow the users to "click their way to where their data files are", is
there such facility for the windows R GUI (the out-of-the-box one)? I have no
access to windows machines, so I cannot check, but I am sure some people will
use a windows laptop.
>
> F
>
>
> --
>
> Federico Calboli
>
> Erityisasiantuntija, tutkimusrahoitus
>
> Palveluryhm?t
>
> Luonnonvarakeskus
>
> 	[[alternative HTML version deleted]]
>
>
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--
---
Robert W. Baer, Ph.D.
Professor of Physiology
Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
A.T. Still Univerisity of Health Sciences
800 W. Jefferson St.
Kirksville, MO 63501