Personalization Add or Remove Folders in File Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 11


Navigation_pane_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Libraries, Music, Pictures, and/or Videos folder(s) in the File Explorer navigation pane when using "Show all folders" for all users in Windows 11.

The navigation pane is the far left pane in File Explorer used to find files, folders, and drives on your PC or network.

When you turn on Show all folders in the navigation pane, the Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Libraries, Music, Pictures, and Videos folders will always show in the navigation pane by default.

If you like, you can add and remove the Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Libraries, Music, Pictures, and/or Videos folder(s) in the File Explorer navigation pane with "Show all folders" turned on.


You must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove folders in the File Explorer navigation pane with "Show all folders" turned on.


Thank you to JeepWillys58 and GermanKiwi for providing the registry locations used for this tutorial.




Contents

  • Option One: Add Folders in File Explorer Navigation Pane with "Show all folders" On
  • Option Two: Remove Folders in File Explorer Navigation Pane with "Show all folders" On


EXAMPLE: Folders in File Explorer Navigation Pane with "Show all folders"

Navigation_pane_folders-added.png
Navigation_pane_folders-removed.png





Option One

Add Folders in File Explorer Navigation Pane with "Show all folders" On


This is the default setting.


1 Do step 2 (Desktop), step 3 (Documents), step 4 (Downloads), step 5 (Libraries), step 6 (Music), step 7 (Pictures), or step 8 (Videos) for the folder(s) you want to add (restore).


 2. Add Desktop folder to "Show all folders" Navigation Pane

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 9 below.​

Add_Desktop_folder_to_File_Explorer_Navigation_Pane_with_show_all_folders.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum]
"{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}]
"HiddenByDefault"=-


 3. Add Documents folder to "Show all folders" Navigation Pane

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 9 below.​

Add_Documents_folder_to_File_Explorer_Navigation_Pane_with_show_all_folders.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum]
"{A8CDFF1C-4878-43be-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0}"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{A8CDFF1C-4878-43be-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0}]
"HiddenByDefault"=-


 4. Add Downloads folder to "Show all folders" Navigation Pane

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 9 below.​

Add_Downloads_folder_to_File_Explorer_Navigation_Pane_with_show_all_folders.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum]
"{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}]
"HiddenByDefault"=-


 5. Add Libraries to "Show all folders" Navigation Pane

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 9 below.​

Add_Libraries_folder_to_File_Explorer_Navigation_Pane_with_show_all_folders.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum]
"{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}]
"HiddenByDefault"=-


 6. Add Music folder to "Show all folders" Navigation Pane

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 9 below.​

Add_Music_folder_to_File_Explorer_Navigation_Pane_with_show_all_folders.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum]
"{1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE}"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE}]
"HiddenByDefault"=-


 7. Add Pictures folder to "Show all folders" Navigation Pane

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 9 below.​

Add_Pictures_folder_to_File_Explorer_Navigation_Pane_with_show_all_folders.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum]
"{3ADD1653-EB32-4cb0-BBD7-DFA0ABB5ACCA}"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{3ADD1653-EB32-4cb0-BBD7-DFA0ABB5ACCA}]
"HiddenByDefault"=-


 8. Add Videos folder to "Show all folders" Navigation Pane

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 9 below.​

Add_Videos_folder_to_File_Explorer_Navigation_Pane_with_show_all_folders.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum]
"{A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}]
"HiddenByDefault"=-

9 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

10 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

11 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

12 If changes are not applied immediately, then either restart explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

13 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file(s) if you like.




Option Two

Remove Folders in File Explorer Navigation Pane with "Show all folders" On


1 Do step 2 (Desktop), step 3 (Documents), step 4 (Downloads), step 5 (Libraries), step 6 (Music), step 7 (Pictures), or step 8 (Videos) for the folder(s) you want to remove.


 2. Remove Desktop folder from "Show all folders" Navigation Pane

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 9 below.​

Remove_Desktop_folder_from_File_Explorer_Navigation_Pane_with_show_all_folders.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum]
"{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}]
"HiddenByDefault"=dword:00000001


 3. Remove Documents folder from "Show all folders" Navigation Pane

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 9 below.​

Remove_Documents_folder_from_File_Explorer_Navigation_Pane_with_show_all_folders.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum]
"{A8CDFF1C-4878-43be-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0}"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{A8CDFF1C-4878-43be-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0}]
"HiddenByDefault"=dword:00000001


 4. Remove Downloads folder from "Show all folders" Navigation Pane

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 9 below.​

Remove_Downloads_folder_from_File_Explorer_Navigation_Pane_with_show_all_folders.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum]
"{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}]
"HiddenByDefault"=dword:00000001


 5. Remove Libraries from "Show all folders" Navigation Pane

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 9 below.​

Remove_Libraries_folder_from_File_Explorer_Navigation_Pane_with_show_all_folders.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum]
"{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}]
"HiddenByDefault"=dword:00000001


 6. Remove Music folder from "Show all folders" Navigation Pane

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 9 below.​

Remove_Music_folder_from_File_Explorer_Navigation_Pane_with_show_all_folders.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum]
"{1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE}"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE}]
"HiddenByDefault"=dword:00000001


 7. Remove Pictures folder from "Show all folders" Navigation Pane

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 9 below.​

Remove_Pictures_folder_from_File_Explorer_Navigation_Pane_with_show_all_folders.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum]
"{3ADD1653-EB32-4cb0-BBD7-DFA0ABB5ACCA}"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{3ADD1653-EB32-4cb0-BBD7-DFA0ABB5ACCA}]
"HiddenByDefault"=dword:00000001


 8. Remove Videos folder from "Show all folders" Navigation Pane

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 9 below.​

Remove_Videos_folder_from_File_Explorer_Navigation_Pane_with_show_all_folders.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum]
"{A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}]
"HiddenByDefault"=dword:00000001

9 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

10 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

11 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

12 If changes are not applied immediately, then either restart explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

13 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file(s) if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 

Attachments

Last edited:
Click to expand...
Linus said:
Sounds easy but apparently not possible.
Click to expand...
Nope. Quick Access items are not hierarchical folder trees, they're just single links.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
Edwin said:
Quick Access items are not hierarchical folder trees, they're just single links.
Click to expand...
Exactly, and when I click this link I would expect the side pane to expand (preferably my C: drive) and jump to the respective linked folder. But this is not what happens when the Quick Access link is e.g. the "Downloads" folder. (See my gif above)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Clevo
Linus said:
@Ghot Thanks, but I think there is a misunderstanding.

My goal would be:
- See "Quick access" links in navigation pane.
- Clicking a "Quick access" link expands the navigation pane to the respective folder (in its actual parent folder!) even when it is, say, the Downloads folder in my user profile folder.

Sounds easy but apparently not possible. 😢
Click to expand...
I'm afraid "Pin to Quick Access" folders do not expand in the navigation pane. They basically act like shortcuts instead. :(
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Brink said:
I'm afraid "Pin to Quick Access" folders do not expand in the navigation pane. They basically act like shortcuts instead.
Click to expand...
I do not want the "Quick Access" links to expand in place. I want that when I click them I jump to the expanded folder they are linking to. :-)

It does this for almost all kinds of folders but not for e.g. the Downloads folder as can be seen here:
1726840084376.gif


It goes to the formerly hidden "Downloads" folder, but I would have wanted it to expand and go to L\Downloads or even better C:\Users\L\Downloads.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Clevo
Linus said:
I do not want the "Quick Access" links to expand in place. I want that when I click them I jump to the expanded folder they are linking to. :-)

It does this for almost all kinds of folders but not for e.g. the Downloads folder as can be seen here:
View attachment 109323

It goes to the formerly hidden "Downloads" folder, but I would have wanted it to expand and go to L\Downloads or even better C:\Users\L\Downloads.
Click to expand...
For me, when I click on Documents under Home with Show All Folders, it jumps to the top under Desktop instead.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Brink said:
For me, when I click on Documents under Home with Show All Folders, it jumps to the top under Desktop instead.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's what I meant. Another "Quick Access" folder link would jump to the folder's location on the hard drive, which I would like to be the case for *all* folders. But sub-folders of the user account folder and specifically the ones which normaly have their own entries (we were removing here) in the Navigation Pane, do not link to their hard drive location.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Clevo
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