When developing Java applications, you must create a project within which to house your source code and related files. If you need to access a file outside of your projects, you can do so using the Favorites window.
To access a file or folder outside of an IDE project:
Although the Favorites window allows you to open and edit Java source files from anywhere on your system, the IDE knows nothing about the classpath and other project settings belonging to those source files. You therefore cannot run, compile, or debug any Java source files from the Favorites window.
You can, however, run Ant scripts that do not belong to any project from the Favorites window. You can also use the Favorites window to access an Ant script and create a shortcut to the targets in that Ant script.