Is there a way to create a custom search and save it? Like a latest posts but maybe leave out some things I never check?

Do you mean search all latest posts but exclude particular forums?

Do you mean search all latest posts but exclude particular forums?

Yes, like select the forums I specifically want to exclude, not for everyone.

The only way to do that is for me to write a custom script than included it as a drop-down from the Latest Posts tab.

If we could agree on a handful of custom searches (which forums to exclude) I could create them and add them to the menu.

If you want to provide the forums you seek to exclude, we can try a test.