Files/Projects preferences

You can set the following preferences in the Files/Projects category of the Preferences window.

Projects Settings

Default projects directory, Always start in this project: Use these settings to set up a default projects directory when you create new projects and on startup.

Files, Increments, Projects: Specify how many files, increments, and projects you want to have listed in each of the File > Recent submenus.

Enable: When turned on, Autosave automatically saves your scene at timed intervals. The files are saved according to the Autosave options with the name AUTO-SAVE followed by an incrementing numerals.
Prompt before save: Prompts the user with a dialog box before autosaving.
Limit autosaves: Limits the number of times a file can be autosaved.
Number of autosaves: Determines the number of times a file can be autosaved if Limit autosaves is turned on.
Interval (minutes): Determines the amount of time between each autosave (the default is 10 minutes).
Autosave destination: Determines where the autosave file is stored. Project stores it in the current project under the folder autosave, while Named folder stores it in a folder you specify. Env Var stores the autosave file based on the value of the environment variable MAYA_AUTOSAVE_FOLDER.

On file save: Specify the compression mode you want to use when saving an ASCII file:

Compressed: Saves files in compressed mode. File compression reduces the sizes of large files so they do not occupy as much space on your hard drive.
Uncompressed: Saves files in uncompressed mode.
As Is: Keeps files in their original compression mode rather than compressing or decompressing them. As Is is the default.

Note:
To use compression modes, please ensure that a zip utility is installed and in the path on your machine.

File import merge: Specify how you want the Display Layer merged when you import a file.

None: All layers read in are put in a new layer, renumbered, and renamed, if necessary to preserve uniqueness.
By Number: Rather than creating a new layer, all layers read in that have the same index number as an existing layer are merged with that layer.
By Name: Rather than creating a new layer, all layers read in that have the same name as an existing layer are merged with that layer.

OS native: Uses the current operating system’s native file browser when performing save, open, import, and export operations.
Maya default: Uses Maya’s built-in file browser when performing save, open, import, and export operations.

Ignore Version: Disregards the file version when opening or importing a Maya LT file, letting you open files created in any version of Maya LT.

Note: Opening current Maya LT files in an earlier version of Maya LT is not supported, as feature compatibility to earlier versions cannot be ensured. The Ignore Version preference is primarily provided for production environments where multiple versions of Maya LT are in use simultaneously.

Automatically reload updated image files: When enabled, Maya automatically refreshes file textures that have been updated and saved in another application. This option is disabled by default.