[Version 11.0.0] UI/UX Issues with the New Custom Dialog Box When Selecting a Folder SOLVED

[rakunavi]

=== UPDATE ===================================================================
The issue reported below has been resolved in Ver 11.0.1.
I appreciate all the hard work and efforts of the support and development team.
==============================================================================

Hello all,

In Version 11.0.0, a new custom dialog box was introduced for opening and saving files/folders. While I understand the goal of implementing a custom UI, I have noticed a significant and counter-intuitive regression in UX when user tries to select a folder rather than a file.

Below are the details and a comparison with the standard Windows OS system dialog.

Environment for verification
Assume the following folder structure exists:

• C:\Users\user\Documents\aaa
• C:\Users\user\Documents\bbb
• C:\Users\user\Documents\ccc

In the following verification, the initial folder assumed when opening the folder selection dialog from the “Destination Folder” field in the “Export to Image(s)” dialog is “C:\Users\user\Documents”.


Custom dialog box

1. Open the folder selection dialog.
2. Notice that the text field at the bottom is labeled "File name:" (even though we are selecting a folder).
   figure.png
3. Type "aaa" directly into the "File name:" field.
4. Click the Select button. The dialog does NOT close, and the selection is not completed. Instead, the folder path shifts into the folder aaa (reflected in the top breadcrumbs/left tree view), but the "File name:" field becomes completely blank.
5. The user must click Select button a second time while the field is blank to finally complete the folder selection.
   custom.png

System dialog box

1. Enable the "Use system dialog boxes to open/save files and select folders" option in the General category of the Preferences dialog.
2. Open the folder selection dialog.
3. Type "aaa" into the folder name field.
4. Click the Select button once. The dialog closes immediately, and the folder aaa is successfully selected. Crucially, the folder name "aaa" remains visible in the field until the end, providing visual confirmation before the dialog closes.
   system.png

Why the Custom Dialog Behavior Hinders UX

1. The "Two-Step Select" Flaw: Forcing users to click Select twice for a simple action that previously took only one step significantly slows down the workflow but also causes confusion.
2. The "Blank Field" Anxiety: Forcing users to click "Select" while the input field is completely empty is highly confusing and stressful. In standard UI design, a blank field usually implies cancelling, resetting, or an error. Users lose the "visual anchor" that confirms what they are about to approve.
3. Inappropriate Field Label: The input field for folder name in the folder selection dialog still reuses the field label “File name:” used for file selection.

I will attach a brief video demonstration to illustrate this side-by-side comparison clearly.

• Animation.gif

Could you please look into this and sync the custom dialog's folder selection behavior with the standard OS behavior?

Best regards,
rakunavi

- PDF-XChange Editor PRO Version: 11.0.0
- OS Version: Windows 11 Pro / Home 25H2 Build 26200.8457
- PC Model: GMKtec Nucbox M7 Pro with HUION Kamvas Pro 19 / Lenovo IdeaPad C340-15IWL

[Daniel - PDF-XChange]

Hello, rakunavi

Thank you for the report, I have reproduced this and reports it to the Dev team.

Kind regards,