diff --git a/src/win32/Directories.cpp b/src/win32/Directories.cpp
index 781760cd..4df6418b 100644
--- a/src/win32/Directories.cpp
+++ b/src/win32/Directories.cpp
@@ -23,9 +23,6 @@
 #include "Reg.h"
 #include "WinResUtil.h"
 
-#include <shlobj.h>
-#include <shlwapi.h>
-
 #ifdef _DEBUG
 #define new DEBUG_NEW
 #undef THIS_FILE
@@ -97,11 +94,11 @@ BOOL Directories::OnInitDialog()
 	if(!p.IsEmpty())
 		GetDlgItem(IDC_GBROM_PATH)->SetWindowText(p);
 
-	p = regQueryStringValue("batteryDir", NULL);
+	p = regQueryStringValue("batteryDir", DEFAULT_BATTERY_DIR);
 	if(!p.IsEmpty())
 		GetDlgItem(IDC_BATTERY_PATH)->SetWindowText( p);
 
-	p = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", NULL);
+	p = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", DEFAULT_SAVESTATES_DIR);
 	if(!p.IsEmpty())
 		GetDlgItem(IDC_SAVE_PATH)->SetWindowText(p);
 
@@ -171,86 +168,37 @@ void Directories::OnOK()
 {
 	CDialog::OnOK();
 
-	char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-	char temp[MAX_PATH+1];
-	GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-	baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-	PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-
-
 	CString buffer;
 
 	m_romPath.GetWindowText(buffer);
 	if( !buffer.IsEmpty() )
 		regSetStringValue( "romdir", buffer );
-	if( buffer[0] == '.' ) {
-		strcpy( temp, baseDir );
-		strcat( temp, "\\" );
-		strcat( temp, buffer );
-		buffer = temp;
-	}
-	if( !directoryDoesExist( buffer ) )
-		SHCreateDirectoryEx( NULL, buffer, NULL );
+	treatRelativePath( buffer );
 
 	m_gbcromPath.GetWindowText(buffer);
 	if( !buffer.IsEmpty() )
 		regSetStringValue( "gbcromdir", buffer );
-	if( buffer[0] == '.' ) {
-		strcpy( temp, baseDir );
-		strcat( temp, "\\" );
-		strcat( temp, buffer );
-		buffer = temp;
-	}
-	if( !directoryDoesExist( buffer ) )
-		SHCreateDirectoryEx( NULL, buffer, NULL );
+	treatRelativePath( buffer );
 
 	m_gbromPath.GetWindowText(buffer);
 	if( !buffer.IsEmpty() )
 		regSetStringValue( "gbromdir", buffer );
-	if( buffer[0] == '.' ) {
-		strcpy( temp, baseDir );
-		strcat( temp, "\\" );
-		strcat( temp, buffer );
-		buffer = temp;
-	}
-	if( !directoryDoesExist( buffer ) )
-		SHCreateDirectoryEx( NULL, buffer, NULL );
+	treatRelativePath( buffer );
 
 	m_batteryPath.GetWindowText(buffer);
 	if( !buffer.IsEmpty() )
 		regSetStringValue( "batteryDir", buffer );
-	if( buffer[0] == '.' ) {
-		strcpy( temp, baseDir );
-		strcat( temp, "\\" );
-		strcat( temp, buffer );
-		buffer = temp;
-	}
-	if( !directoryDoesExist( buffer ) )
-		SHCreateDirectoryEx( NULL, buffer, NULL );
+	treatRelativePath( buffer );
 
 	m_savePath.GetWindowText(buffer);
 	if( !buffer.IsEmpty() )
 		regSetStringValue( "saveDir", buffer );
-	if( buffer[0] == '.' ) {
-		strcpy( temp, baseDir );
-		strcat( temp, "\\" );
-		strcat( temp, buffer );
-		buffer = temp;
-	}
-	if( !directoryDoesExist( buffer ) )
-		SHCreateDirectoryEx( NULL, buffer, NULL );
+	treatRelativePath( buffer );
 
 	m_capturePath.GetWindowText(buffer);
 	if( !buffer.IsEmpty() )
 		regSetStringValue( "captureDir", buffer );
-	if( buffer[0] == '.' ) {
-		strcpy( temp, baseDir );
-		strcat( temp, "\\" );
-		strcat( temp, buffer );
-		buffer = temp;
-	}
-	if( !directoryDoesExist( buffer ) )
-		SHCreateDirectoryEx( NULL, buffer, NULL );
+	treatRelativePath( buffer );
 
 	EndDialog(TRUE);
 }
@@ -285,20 +233,3 @@ CString Directories::browseForDir(CString title)
   }
   return res;
 }
-
-// returns true if the directory does exist
-bool Directories::directoryDoesExist(const char *directory)
-{
-	HANDLE hDir;
-	hDir = CreateFile(
-		directory,
-		GENERIC_READ,
-		FILE_SHARE_READ | FILE_SHARE_WRITE | FILE_SHARE_DELETE,
-		NULL,
-		OPEN_EXISTING,
-		FILE_FLAG_BACKUP_SEMANTICS,
-		NULL );
-	bool retval = (hDir == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) ? false : true;
-	CloseHandle( hDir );
-	return retval;
-}
diff --git a/src/win32/Directories.h b/src/win32/Directories.h
index 332d9fa4..5e6518f7 100644
--- a/src/win32/Directories.h
+++ b/src/win32/Directories.h
@@ -50,5 +50,4 @@ private:
 	CString initialFolderDir;
 
 	CString browseForDir(CString title);
-	bool directoryDoesExist(const char *directory);
 };
diff --git a/src/win32/FileDlg.cpp b/src/win32/FileDlg.cpp
index 8091d93d..6abb77af 100644
--- a/src/win32/FileDlg.cpp
+++ b/src/win32/FileDlg.cpp
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ int FileDlg::getFilterIndex()
 int FileDlg::DoModal()
 {
   BOOL res = isSave ? GetSaveFileName(&m_ofn) :
-    GetOpenFileName(&m_ofn);
+  GetOpenFileName(&m_ofn);
 
   return res ? IDOK : IDCANCEL;
 }
diff --git a/src/win32/MainWnd.cpp b/src/win32/MainWnd.cpp
index c04eff39..90892c13 100644
--- a/src/win32/MainWnd.cpp
+++ b/src/win32/MainWnd.cpp
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@
 #include "MainWnd.h"
 
 #include <winsock.h>
-#include <shlwapi.h>
 
 #include "FileDlg.h"
 #include "Reg.h"
@@ -818,17 +817,8 @@ void MainWnd::winSaveCheatListDefault()
     name = theApp.filename.Right(theApp.filename.GetLength()-index-1);
   else
     name = theApp.filename;
-  CString dir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", NULL);
-  if( dir[0] == '.' ) {
-	  // handle as relative path
-	  char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-	  GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-	  baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-	  PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-	  strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-	  strcat( baseDir, dir );
-	  dir = baseDir;
-	}
+  CString dir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", DEFAULT_SAVESTATES_DIR);
+  treatRelativePath( dir );
 
   if(!dir.GetLength())
     dir = getDirFromFile(filename);
@@ -860,17 +850,8 @@ void MainWnd::winLoadCheatListDefault()
     name = theApp.filename.Right(theApp.filename.GetLength()-index-1);
   else
     name = theApp.filename;
-  CString dir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", NULL);
-  if( dir[0] == '.' ) {
-	  // handle as relative path
-	  char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-	  GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-	  baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-	  PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-	  strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-	  strcat( baseDir, dir );
-	  dir = baseDir;
-	}
+  CString dir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", DEFAULT_SAVESTATES_DIR);
+  treatRelativePath( dir );
 
   if(!dir.GetLength())
     dir = getDirFromFile(filename);
@@ -932,17 +913,8 @@ void MainWnd::writeBatteryFile()
   else
     buffer = theApp.filename;
 
-  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("batteryDir", NULL);
-  if( saveDir[0] == '.' ) {
-	  // handle as relative path
-	  char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-	  GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-	  baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-	  PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-	  strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-	  strcat( baseDir, saveDir );
-	  saveDir = baseDir;
-	}
+  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("batteryDir", DEFAULT_BATTERY_DIR);
+  treatRelativePath( saveDir );
 
   if(saveDir.IsEmpty())
     saveDir = getDirFromFile(theApp.filename);
@@ -969,17 +941,8 @@ void MainWnd::readBatteryFile()
   else
     buffer = theApp.filename;
 
-  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("batteryDir", NULL);
-  if( saveDir[0] == '.' ) {
-	  // handle as relative path
-	  char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-	  GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-	  baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-	  PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-	  strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-	  strcat( baseDir, saveDir );
-	  saveDir = baseDir;
-	}
+  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("batteryDir", DEFAULT_BATTERY_DIR);
+  treatRelativePath( saveDir );
 
   if(saveDir.IsEmpty())
     saveDir = getDirFromFile(theApp.filename);
@@ -1069,16 +1032,7 @@ bool MainWnd::fileOpenSelect( int system )
 		theApp.dir = initialDir;
 	}
 
-	if( initialDir[0] == '.' ) {
-		// handle as relative path
-		char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-		GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-		baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-		PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-		strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-		strcat( baseDir, initialDir );
-		initialDir = baseDir;
-	}
+	treatRelativePath( initialDir );
 
 	theApp.szFile = _T("");
 
@@ -1130,16 +1084,8 @@ void MainWnd::screenCapture(int captureNumber)
   CString buffer;
 
   CString captureDir = regQueryStringValue("captureDir", "");
-  if( captureDir[0] == '.' ) {
-	  // handle as relative path
-	  char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-	  GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-	  baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-	  PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-	  strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-	  strcat( baseDir, captureDir );
-	  captureDir = baseDir;
-	}
+  treatRelativePath( captureDir );
+
   int index = theApp.filename.ReverseFind('\\');
 
   CString name;
diff --git a/src/win32/MainWndCheats.cpp b/src/win32/MainWndCheats.cpp
index a295e582..46a5831e 100644
--- a/src/win32/MainWndCheats.cpp
+++ b/src/win32/MainWndCheats.cpp
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ void MainWnd::OnCheatsLoadcheatlist()
   else
     buffer = theApp.filename;
 
-  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", NULL);
+  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", DEFAULT_SAVESTATES_DIR);
 
   if(saveDir.IsEmpty())
     saveDir = getDirFromFile(theApp.filename);
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ void MainWnd::OnCheatsSavecheatlist()
   else
     buffer = theApp.filename;
 
-  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", NULL);
+  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", DEFAULT_SAVESTATES_DIR);
 
   if(saveDir.IsEmpty())
     saveDir = getDirFromFile(theApp.filename);
diff --git a/src/win32/MainWndFile.cpp b/src/win32/MainWndFile.cpp
index 4a443887..d50e10ed 100644
--- a/src/win32/MainWndFile.cpp
+++ b/src/win32/MainWndFile.cpp
@@ -19,8 +19,6 @@
 #include "stdafx.h"
 #include "MainWnd.h"
 
-#include <shlwapi.h>
-
 #include "ExportGSASnapshot.h"
 #include "FileDlg.h"
 #include "GSACodeSelect.h"
@@ -193,17 +191,8 @@ void MainWnd::OnFileLoad()
   else
     buffer = theApp.filename;
 
-  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", NULL);
-  if( saveDir[0] == '.' ) {
-	  // handle as relative path
-	  char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-	  GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-	  baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-	  PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-	  strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-	  strcat( baseDir, saveDir );
-	  saveDir = baseDir;
-	}
+  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", DEFAULT_SAVESTATES_DIR);
+  treatRelativePath( saveDir );
 
   if(saveDir.IsEmpty())
     saveDir = getDirFromFile(theApp.filename);
@@ -250,17 +239,8 @@ BOOL MainWnd::OnFileLoadSlot(UINT nID)
   else
     buffer = theApp.filename;
 
-  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", NULL);
-  if( saveDir[0] == '.' ) {
-	  // handle as relative path
-	  char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-	  GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-	  baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-	  PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-	  strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-	  strcat( baseDir, saveDir );
-	  saveDir = baseDir;
-	}
+  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", DEFAULT_SAVESTATES_DIR);
+  treatRelativePath( saveDir );
 
   if(saveDir.IsEmpty())
     saveDir = getDirFromFile(theApp.filename);
@@ -301,17 +281,8 @@ void MainWnd::OnFileSave()
   else
     buffer = theApp.filename;
 
-  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", NULL);
-  if( saveDir[0] == '.' ) {
-	  // handle as relative path
-	  char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-	  GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-	  baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-	  PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-	  strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-	  strcat( baseDir, saveDir );
-	  saveDir = baseDir;
-	}
+  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", DEFAULT_SAVESTATES_DIR);
+  treatRelativePath( saveDir );
 
   if(saveDir.IsEmpty())
     saveDir = getDirFromFile(theApp.filename);
@@ -353,17 +324,8 @@ BOOL MainWnd::OnFileSaveSlot(UINT nID)
   else
     buffer = theApp.filename;
 
-  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", NULL);
-  if( saveDir[0] == '.' ) {
-	  // handle as relative path
-	  char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-	  GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-	  baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-	  PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-	  strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-	  strcat( baseDir, saveDir );
-	  saveDir = baseDir;
-	}
+  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", DEFAULT_SAVESTATES_DIR);
+  treatRelativePath( saveDir );
 
   if(saveDir.IsEmpty())
     saveDir = getDirFromFile(theApp.filename);
@@ -391,17 +353,8 @@ void MainWnd::OnFileImportBatteryfile()
   CString filter = winLoadFilter(IDS_FILTER_SAV);
   CString title = winResLoadString(IDS_SELECT_BATTERY_FILE);
 
-  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("batteryDir", NULL);
-  if( saveDir[0] == '.' ) {
-	  // handle as relative path
-	  char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-	  GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-	  baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-	  PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-	  strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-	  strcat( baseDir, saveDir );
-	  saveDir = baseDir;
-	}
+  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("batteryDir", DEFAULT_BATTERY_DIR);
+  treatRelativePath( saveDir );
 
   if(saveDir.IsEmpty())
     saveDir = getDirFromFile(theApp.filename);
@@ -515,17 +468,8 @@ void MainWnd::OnFileExportBatteryfile()
   CString filter = winLoadFilter(IDS_FILTER_SAV);
   CString title = winResLoadString(IDS_SELECT_BATTERY_FILE);
 
-  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("batteryDir", NULL);
-  if( saveDir[0] == '.' ) {
-	  // handle as relative path
-	  char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-	  GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-	  baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-	  PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-	  strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-	  strcat( baseDir, saveDir );
-	  saveDir = baseDir;
-	}
+  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("batteryDir", DEFAULT_BATTERY_DIR);
+  treatRelativePath( saveDir );
 
   if(saveDir.IsEmpty())
     saveDir = getDirFromFile(theApp.filename);
@@ -621,16 +565,8 @@ void MainWnd::OnFileScreencapture()
     name = theApp.filename;
 
   CString capdir = regQueryStringValue("captureDir", "");
-  if( capdir[0] == '.' ) {
-	  // handle as relative path
-	  char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-	  GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-	  baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-	  PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-	  strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-	  strcat( baseDir, capdir );
-	  capdir = baseDir;
-	}
+  treatRelativePath( capdir );
+
   if(capdir.IsEmpty())
     capdir = getDirFromFile(theApp.filename);
 
@@ -775,17 +711,8 @@ void MainWnd::OnFileSavegameOldestslot()
   else
     filename = theApp.filename;
 
-  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", NULL);
-  if( saveDir[0] == '.' ) {
-	  // handle as relative path
-	  char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-	  GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-	  baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-	  PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-	  strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-	  strcat( baseDir, saveDir );
-	  saveDir = baseDir;
-	}
+  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", DEFAULT_SAVESTATES_DIR);
+  treatRelativePath( saveDir );
 
   if(saveDir.IsEmpty())
     saveDir = getDirFromFile(theApp.filename);
@@ -829,17 +756,8 @@ void MainWnd::OnUpdateFileSavegameOldestslot(CCmdUI* pCmdUI)
     else
       filename = theApp.filename;
 
-    CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", NULL);
-	if( saveDir[0] == '.' ) {
-		// handle as relative path
-		char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-		GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-		baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-		PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-		strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-		strcat( baseDir, saveDir );
-		saveDir = baseDir;
-	}
+    CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", DEFAULT_SAVESTATES_DIR);
+	treatRelativePath( saveDir );
 
     if(saveDir.IsEmpty())
       saveDir = getDirFromFile(theApp.filename);
@@ -881,17 +799,8 @@ void MainWnd::OnFileLoadgameMostrecent()
   else
     filename = theApp.filename;
 
-  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", NULL);
-  if( saveDir[0] == '.' ) {
-	  // handle as relative path
-	  char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-	  GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-	  baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-	  PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-	  strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-	  strcat( baseDir, saveDir );
-	  saveDir = baseDir;
-	}
+  CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", DEFAULT_SAVESTATES_DIR);
+  treatRelativePath( saveDir );
 
   if(saveDir.IsEmpty())
     saveDir = getDirFromFile(theApp.filename);
@@ -935,17 +844,8 @@ void MainWnd::OnUpdateFileLoadgameMostrecent(CCmdUI* pCmdUI)
     else
       filename = theApp.filename;
 
-    CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", NULL);
-	if( saveDir[0] == '.' ) {
-		// handle as relative path
-		char baseDir[MAX_PATH+1];
-		GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
-		baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
-		PathRemoveFileSpec( baseDir ); // removes the trailing file name and backslash
-		strcat( baseDir, "\\" );
-		strcat( baseDir, saveDir );
-		saveDir = baseDir;
-	}
+    CString saveDir = regQueryStringValue("saveDir", DEFAULT_SAVESTATES_DIR);
+	treatRelativePath( saveDir );
 
     if(saveDir.IsEmpty())
       saveDir = getDirFromFile(theApp.filename);
diff --git a/src/win32/VBA.cpp b/src/win32/VBA.cpp
index ec5fa506..4b96902b 100644
--- a/src/win32/VBA.cpp
+++ b/src/win32/VBA.cpp
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 
 #include "stdafx.h"
 #include <intrin.h>
+#include <shlobj.h> // for SHCreateDirectoryEx
 
 #include "AVIWrite.h"
 #include "LangSelect.h"
@@ -2780,3 +2781,34 @@ void Sm60FPS_Sleep()
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+
+void treatRelativePath( CString & path )
+{
+	if( path.GetLength() > 1 ) {
+		if( path.GetAt( 0 ) == '.' ) {
+			// treat as relative path
+			char baseDir[MAX_PATH + 1];
+			GetModuleFileName( NULL, baseDir, MAX_PATH );
+			baseDir[MAX_PATH] = '\0'; // for security reasons
+			CString temp = baseDir;
+			int pos = temp.ReverseFind( '\\' );
+			temp.Truncate( pos + 1 );
+			path.Insert( 0, temp );
+
+			// create directories if path does not exist
+			SHCreateDirectoryEx( NULL, path, NULL );
+			/* Spacy's implementation:
+			while( ERROR_PATH_NOT_FOUND == CreateDirectory( path, NULL ) ) {
+				temp = path;
+				while( ERROR_PATH_NOT_FOUND == CreateDirectory( temp, NULL ) ) {
+					pos = temp.ReverseFind( '\\' );
+					ASSERT( pos != -1 );
+					if( pos == -1 ) break; // something has gone wrong, abort
+					temp.Truncate( pos );
+				}
+			}
+			*/
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/src/win32/VBA.h b/src/win32/VBA.h
index a5f9592c..92b42432 100644
--- a/src/win32/VBA.h
+++ b/src/win32/VBA.h
@@ -64,6 +64,9 @@ enum pixelFilterType
 
 #define REWIND_SIZE 400000
 
+#define DEFAULT_BATTERY_DIR    ".\\battery"
+#define DEFAULT_SAVESTATES_DIR ".\\savestates"
+
 class AVIWrite;
 class WavWriter;
 
@@ -284,3 +287,5 @@ extern int emulating;
 #ifdef MMX
     extern "C" bool cpu_mmx;
 #endif
+
+void treatRelativePath( CString & path );