Context-based file selection

A context related to user experience with a computing device is acquired. When a user performs a file selection activity on the computing device, the computing device consults the stored context and displays a list of file names based on the context at the time of access. The context can include file name, file creator, last access date and information regarding the file's contents. Using context to display file names can provide enhanced user experience by displaying file names for files most likely to be opened by a user while omitting file names for files not likely to be opened. In the event that no file names belonging to files desired by a user are among the file names displayed, the system can revert to a default file open dialog.