How to change the default directory of a new / open project in PhpStorm 8?

There is no GUI for this.

PhpStorm has to remember the last folder used (when you successfully created a new project) and use that as the default for the next one (for me this is, although I use the same path since v1 .. it may have been broken since then).

If it doesn't, and if you have a brave heart ... you can edit the config file directly :)

• Close IDE
• Open this file in any text editor: C:\Users\USERNAME\.WebIde80\config\options\ide.general.xml
  
  (path for PhpStorm v8 on Windows 7, and for other OS / versions see this link: https://intellij-support.jetbrains.com/entries/23358108-Directories-used-by- the-IDE-to-store-settings-caches-plugins-and-logs )
• The file is very short - just find the <option name="lastProjectLocation"
  
  node and edit the attribute value
  
  - put your desired path there
• Save changes. Start the IDE and see if it worked for you.