I can't seem to find a way to set the default for "Startup directory for new process:" when creating/opening a new tab (ctrl+t). This always defaults to the location of my cmder folder, while I would like it to be empty.
Is there any way to correct this?
You can choose a startup directory for new tasks in the settings. Right here:

Although cmder will always default to it's directory unless you change that in the task. (The new_console command)
Thanks, awesome job on cmder btw.
you can do it like this:
<APP_DIR>/config/user-startup.cmd file,append a line(suppose dir is 'e:'):@cd /d "e:"ref:
cmder config
Checkout my answer here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/31933766/start-up-cmder-conemu-console-in-a-specific-folder/43836978#43836978
Basically, create a shortcut for ConEmu and change the "Start in:" attribute in the shortcut's properties.
Hey, guys. But what if I open new shell tab and want this tab to be opened in the working directory from the previous one? I use pure ConEmu + Far3 x64 and open shells using hotkeys, it works well: new shell is opened always in the directory where I was in Far tab. But it doesn't work when I use Cmder + Far3 x64.