Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon in Windows 11


File_Explorer_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to restore the classic File Explorer with Ribbon for your account or all users in Windows 11.

File Explorer in Windows 10 has a ribbon, tabs, and a title bar with color. The ribbon includes common tasks, such as copying and moving, creating new folders, emailing and zipping items, and changing the view. The tabs change to show extra tasks that apply to the selected item. You can hide or show the ribbon on demand.

In Windows 11, Microsoft made File Explorer modern with a clean look and brand-new command bar instead of the ribbon.

If you prefer, you can restore the classic File Explorer with ribbon in Windows 11.


Contents

  • Option One: Temporarily Open File Explorer with Ribbon
  • Option Two: Create Shortcut to Always Open File Explorer with Ribbon
  • Option Three: Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon for Current User using REG file (Works in 23H2+)
  • Option Four: Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon for All Users using REG file (No longer works in 22H2+)
  • Option Five: Enable or Disable File Explorer Command Bar for Current User using REG file (No longer works in 22H2+)
  • Option Six: Enable or Disable File Explorer Command Bar for Current User using Command (No longer works in 22H2+)


EXAMPLE: File Explorer with command bar and ribbon in Windows 11

File_Explorer_with_command_bar.webp
File_Explorer_with_ribbon.png





Option One

Temporarily Open File Explorer with Ribbon


This option will open a File Explorer window with the ribbon.

You will be able to browse and navigate in this File Explorer window with a ribbon only for as long as this window is open.


1 Open the Control Panel.

2 Perform one of the following actions depending on which Control Panel view is used: (see screenshots below)
  • If using small icons view, click/tap twice on the Up arrow.
  • If using large icons view, click/tap twice on the Up arrow.
  • If using category view, click/tap once on the Up arrow.
Control_Panel_small_icons_view.png
Control_Panel_large_icons_view.png
Control_Panel_category_view.png

3 You will now have a File Explorer window with the ribbon open. (see screenshot below)

File_Explorer_window_with_ribbon.png





Option Two

Create Shortcut to Always Open File Explorer with Ribbon


You can Pin to Taskbar, Pin to Start, add to Start menu All apps, assign a keyboard shortcut to, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy usage.


If there's a folder or location you want File Explorer to open to by default that's not listed below, then please post a request for it. I'll be happy to add it to the shortcut list below for you.


The shortcut commands below will only work with an English language installation. If you use a different language, then please post a request for a translated version of the shortcut command you want to use. "Control Panel" and the folder name (ex: "Desktop") in the command needs to be translated for your language instead.



1 Create a new shortcut using the command below for the path you want:

Open File Explorer to Desktop with Ribbon
powershell.exe -nop -ep bypass -c "& {"Start-Process \"Control\"; $wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell; $null = $wshell.AppActivate(\"Control Panel\"); Start-Sleep 0.75; $wshell.SendKeys("'""^"lDesktop~"'")}"

OR

Open File Explorer to Home with Ribbon
powershell.exe -nop -ep bypass -c "& {"Start-Process \"Control\"; $wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell; $null = $wshell.AppActivate(\"Control Panel\"); Start-Sleep 0.75; $wshell.SendKeys("'""^"lHome~"'")}"

OR

Open File Explorer to OneDrive with Ribbon
powershell.exe -nop -ep bypass -c "& {"Start-Process \"Control\"; $wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell; $null = $wshell.AppActivate(\"Control Panel\"); Start-Sleep 0.75; $wshell.SendKeys("'""^"lShell:OneDrive~"'")}"

OR

Open File Explorer to This PC with Ribbon
powershell.exe -nop -ep bypass -c "& {"Start-Process \"Control\"; $wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell; $null = $wshell.AppActivate(\"Control Panel\"); Start-Sleep 0.75; $wshell.SendKeys("'""^"lThis PC~"'")}"




Option Three

Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon for Current User using REG file


This option will only work on Windows 11 version 23H2 and higher.


1 Do step 2 (classic) or step 3 (default - undo) below for what you would like to do.


 2. Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon for Current User

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Restore_classic_File_Explorer_with_ribbon_for_current_user.reg​


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

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{2aa9162e-c906-4dd9-ad0b-3d24a8eef5a0}]
@="CLSID_ItemsViewAdapter"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{2aa9162e-c906-4dd9-ad0b-3d24a8eef5a0}\InProcServer32]
@="C:\\Windows\\System32\\Windows.UI.FileExplorer.dll_"
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{6480100b-5a83-4d1e-9f69-8ae5a88e9a33}]
@="File Explorer Xaml Island View Adapter"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{6480100b-5a83-4d1e-9f69-8ae5a88e9a33}\InProcServer32]
@="C:\\Windows\\System32\\Windows.UI.FileExplorer.dll_"
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\ShellBrowser]
"ITBar7Layout"=hex:13,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,20,00,00,00,10,00,01,00,\
  00,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,01,07,00,00,5e,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00


 3. Restore Modern File Explorer with Command Bar and Tabs for Current User

This is the default setting to undo step 2.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Default_modern_File_Explorer_with_command_bar_for_current_user.reg​


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

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{2aa9162e-c906-4dd9-ad0b-3d24a8eef5a0}]

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{6480100b-5a83-4d1e-9f69-8ae5a88e9a33}]

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

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

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

7 Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.




Option Four

Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon for All Users using REG file


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.


This option will no longer work on Windows 11 version 22H2 and higher.


1 Do step 2 (classic) or step 3 (default - undo) below for what you would like to do.

2 Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Restore_classic_File_Explorer_with_ribbon.reg​


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

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked]
"{e2bf9676-5f8f-435c-97eb-11607a5bedf7}"=-

3 Restore Modern File Explorer with Command Bar

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Default_modern_File_Explorer_with_command_bar.reg​


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

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked]
"{e2bf9676-5f8f-435c-97eb-11607a5bedf7}"=""

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

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

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

7 Sign out and sign in or restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.




Option Five

Enable or Disable File Explorer Command Bar for Current User using REG file


This option will no longer work on Windows 11 version 22H2 and higher.


1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.


 2. To Enable File Explorer Command Bar

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Enable_File_Explorer_command_bar.reg​


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

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}]


 3. To Disable File Explorer Command Bar

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Disable_File_Explorer_command_bar.reg​


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

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}\InprocServer32]
@=""

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

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

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

7 Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.




Option Six

Enable or Disable File Explorer Command Bar for Current User using Command


This option will no longer work on Windows 11 version 22H2 and higher.


1 Open Windows Terminal, and select Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.

2 Copy and paste the command below you want into Windows Terminal, and press Enter.

(Disable)​
reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}\InprocServer32" /f /ve​

OR​

(Enable - default)​
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}" /f​

3 Close Windows Terminal.

4 Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 

Attachments

Last edited:
Click to expand...
hdmi said:
In Microsoft Word, Ctrl+L toggles the selected text between left align and justify, and, in Microsoft Excel, Ctrl+L opens the Create Table dialog window. So no, not just 3rd party apps.
Click to expand...
The redirection, in this case, is only a problem for apps that use Alt-D.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10/11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
LesFerch said:
The redirection, in this case, is only a problem for apps that use Alt-D.
Click to expand...
Microsoft Snipping Tool uses Alt+D to delay capture by 1–5 seconds. So no. 😂
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2024)
    CPU
    i7 13650HX
    Memory
    16GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Cooling
    2× Arc Flow Fans, 4× exhaust vents, 5× heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    20Mbit/s up, 250Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
  • Operating System
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Medion S15450
    CPU
    i5 1135G7
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Internet Speed
    20Mbit/s up, 250Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
LesFerch said:
Good example! That supports my recommendation to only redirect when the active window is an Explorer window.
Click to expand...

Yes, and for that purpose ChatGPT was good enough with the script code you provided earlier in this post. I've tested it and it works well for whoever chooses to go that way. For myself, I concluded that fully overlapping Alt+D to Ctrl+L wouldn't do that much harm, so I am going with @Brink's idea of using PowerToys such that the Alt+D behaviour is replicated also in browsers etc. I think I basically use it in Explorer, several browsers and from time to time in RegEdit. Basically, everywhere where there is an address bar. One could just as easily have prompted ChatGPT to give the script code for not only overlapping the shortcut only when there's an active explorer window, but basically at all times, which would lead to the same result as with using PowerToys. I just went that way cos I was curious to see what else this little app could offer. Have tested it and indeed PowerToys's KB manager module does a perfect job of overlapping 1 shortcut to another.

Thanks everyone for the help and input.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
I used option 3 and made the reg tweak suggested by @LesFerch. I noticed my File Explorer will close randomly on its own. Is anyone else experiencing this?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP EliteBook 845 G10
This was awesome! Thank you! I did the reg patch, restarted, and all is good in Windows File Explorer world again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    self-made
fventura1215 said:
I used option 3 and made the reg tweak suggested by @LesFerch. I noticed my File Explorer will close randomly on its own. Is anyone else experiencing this?
Click to expand...
Just following up on this - did not have anything to do with the registry. Group policy setting with network drives was the issue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP EliteBook 845 G10
Daniel_G said:
This was awesome! Thank you! I did the reg patch, restarted, and all is good in Windows File Explorer world again.
Click to expand...
Glad it could help Daniel, and welcome. :shawn:
 

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
Haven't read through the whole thread so not sure if someone already knew this, but turns out you can also create a shortcut to open the Windows 10 interface directly to any CLSID by "sending it through" the control panel.

For example take this shell path which is used by a shortcut to Windows Tools which is created automatically if in the control panel you right click and select to create shortcut:
::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{D20EA4E1-3957-11D2-A40B-0C5020524153}

The first CLSID is the control panel, then there's a page number (5), and the CLSID for Windows Tools.

But you can actually replace the 2nd CLSID with any CSLID and it will open that with the Windows 10 mode, such as this which will open to the Downloads folder (I've added explorer and shell: to the start so the whole thing can be pasted in the New Shortcut window as a path):
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}

One thing I haven't figured out yet is how to make it work with This PC. It instead seems to open the management console, as if you had right clicked This PC and hit 'Manage'. I also haven't figured out if it's possible to use a similar trick for any arbitrary path. But you can create your own CLSID with a custom path and use that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
what @ThioJoe is better than any option we've discussed here. it lauches DIRECTLY. no redirect, no split second flicker of control panel. Straight to it.

as far as "This PC" goes, i've tried every clsid from win vista to 11. none work. but i made it work like this (NO FLASHES/FLICKERS)

use winaero tweaker > file explorer > navigation pane > custom items - add shell location - add This PC
go to regedit >
Computer\HKEY_USERS\your_user_sid\Software\Classes\CLSID\
get winaero CLSID for nav pane item This PC - add to end of line:
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::

the default one will not direct to this pc, but generating a new one will.

other clsids i found that work for direct launch:

explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{59031A47-3F72-44A7-89C5-5595FE6B30EE} < User Profile Folder
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B} < Downloads
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{088E3905-0323-4B02-9826-5D99428E115F} < Downloads
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{A0953C92-50DC-43BF-BE83-3742FED03C9C} < Videos
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{F86FA3AB-70D2-4FC7-9C99-FCBF05467F3A} < Videos
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{A8CDFF1C-4878-43BE-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0} < Documents
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{D3162B92-9365-467A-956B-92703ACA08AF} < Documents
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641} < Desktop
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{BB06C0E4-D293-4f75-8A90-CB05B6477EEE} < System (Classic)
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{031E4825-7B94-4DC3-B131-E946B44C8DD5} < Libraries
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{3DFDF296-DBEC-4FB4-81D1-6A3438BCF4DE} < Music
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{1CF1260C-4DD0-4EBB-811F-33C572699FDE} < Music
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{4336a54d-038b-4685-ab02-99bb52d3fb8b} < Public Folder
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} < Recycle Bin
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{1f3427c8-5c10-4210-aa03-2ee45287d668} < User Pinned (Taskbar)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
dacrone said:
other clsids i found that work for direct launch:
Click to expand...
'Home', (aka Quick Access), also works.

{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}
 

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
dacrone said:
what @ThioJoe is better than any option we've discussed here. it lauches DIRECTLY. no redirect, no split second flicker of control panel. Straight to it.

as far as "This PC" goes, i've tried every clsid from win vista to 11. none work. but i made it work like this (NO FLASHES/FLICKERS)

use winaero tweaker > file explorer > navigation pane > custom items - add shell location - add This PC
go to regedit >
Computer\HKEY_USERS\your_user_sid\Software\Classes\CLSID\
get winaero CLSID for nav pane item This PC - add to end of line:
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::

the default one will not direct to this pc, but generating a new one will.

other clsids i found that work for direct launch:

explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{59031A47-3F72-44A7-89C5-5595FE6B30EE} < User Profile Folder
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B} < Downloads
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{088E3905-0323-4B02-9826-5D99428E115F} < Downloads
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{A0953C92-50DC-43BF-BE83-3742FED03C9C} < Videos
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{F86FA3AB-70D2-4FC7-9C99-FCBF05467F3A} < Videos
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{A8CDFF1C-4878-43BE-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0} < Documents
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{D3162B92-9365-467A-956B-92703ACA08AF} < Documents
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641} < Desktop
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{BB06C0E4-D293-4f75-8A90-CB05B6477EEE} < System (Classic)
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{031E4825-7B94-4DC3-B131-E946B44C8DD5} < Libraries
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{3DFDF296-DBEC-4FB4-81D1-6A3438BCF4DE} < Music
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{1CF1260C-4DD0-4EBB-811F-33C572699FDE} < Music
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{4336a54d-038b-4685-ab02-99bb52d3fb8b} < Public Folder
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} < Recycle Bin
explorer shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5\::{1f3427c8-5c10-4210-aa03-2ee45287d668} < User Pinned (Taskbar)
Click to expand...
Thanks to you and @ThioJoe! I missed the use of the second GUID to go to a special folder. That's clever. I totally forgot about that option.

I think I can rework my OldExplorer tool to use this method and provide a menu to let the user select the desired start folder. I wonder if it's possible to add a GUID for an arbitrary folder. Hmmm.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10/11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
LesFerch said:
I wonder if it's possible to add a GUID for any arbitrary folder. Hmmm.
Click to expand...
It indeed is. I have a few shortcuts to custom arbitrary locations in the Explorer navigation pane that were added by WinAero Tweaker in the form of a new CLSID, and they work too (specifically I had used the option "Navigation Pane - Custom Item" > "Add custom folder"). You could presumably just use the same method and make sure the value for "System.IsPinnedtoNameSpaceTree" in the CLSID registry key is set to 0, then it would stay 'behind the scenes'.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
LesFerch said:
Thanks to you and @ThioJoe! I missed the use of the second GUID to go to a special folder. That's clever. I totally forgot about that option.

I think I can rework my OldExplorer tool to use this method and provide a menu to let the user select the desired start folder. I wonder if it's possible to add a GUID for any arbitrary folder. Hmmm.
Click to expand...
you can do it manually:

1) create folder or choose destination
2) follow steps 1-12 here. it will create a new control panel item, thus assigning a guid
winaero.com

How to add anything you want to Control Panel​

In Windows, you can add any item you want to the Control Panel's icon-based views such as Large Icons or Small icons, as well as Category view. For
winaero.com

you can assign anything you want to that guid. an exe, ahk, bat etc. cannot assign an lnk shortcut though. thats why to get it as a 'drive' like my image above i created an ahk that launched it via that method and compiled it to an exe and then was able to add it there

to incorporate that into your explorer program, you'd have to code it and tie the guidgen into it as well (thats Microsoft product, not winaero's)
*then they wouldnt show in your navigation pane.. only in control panel > icon view
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
LesFerch said:
I think I can rework my OldExplorer tool to use this method and provide a menu to let the user select the desired start folder. I wonder if it's possible to add a GUID for an arbitrary folder. Hmmm.
Click to expand...
also.. just came to my mind and i tested it successfully (no clue why i didnt think about it earlier). if you use the winaero tweaker method to pin to the nav pane in order to generate a new clsid for whatever folder, you can then go back into the reg and go to that nav pane entry (Computer\HKEY_USERS\your_user_sid\Software\Classes\CLSID\) and to that pinned item - change the DWORD "System.IsPinnedtoNameSpaceTree" from 1 to 0. it will remain in the reg with a newly generated clsid but will not populate on the navigation pane. saves you from having to create it in the control panel as well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
dacrone said:
it will remain in the reg with a newly generated clsid but will not populate on the navigation pane. saves you from having to create it in the control panel as well.
Click to expand...



Very tricky.
MS's anti-work-around Dept. probably has a contract out on you. :D
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26100.3037 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦24H2 ♦♦♦non-Insider
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 4702)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 13 years?
Ghot said:
MS's anti-work-around Dept. probably has a contract out on you.
Click to expand...
... and when they do decide to depreciate the Control Panel, we can kiss all of this goodbye!!! 🤷‍♂️
 

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

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26100.3037 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦24H2 ♦♦♦non-Insider
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 4702)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 13 years?
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