In Windows 10, the File Explorer’s navigation pane acts as a gateway to various file locations and folders, streamlining the user experience. Among its many elements, libraries are particularly noteworthy. A library in Windows 10 isn’t just a singular location but a consolidated view of multiple folders that might be spread across various parts of your PC, on OneDrive, or even on networked devices. By default, Windows 10 equips File Explorer with four primary libraries: Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos. This design choice means that no matter where your files reside, the library offers you a unified access point, simplifying file access and management.
However, there could be scenarios where you might want to customize this aspect of the File Explorer — either to declutter the navigation pane or to add specific libraries tailored to your needs. Should you wish to modify the presence of these libraries in the File Explorer’s navigation pane, the journey is straightforward. In the upcoming sections of this risewindows article, we will elucidate the various methods to add or remove libraries from the File Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 10, ensuring that your File Explorer looks and functions exactly as you desire.
How to Add or Remove Libraries from File Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 10 using File Explorer?
To Add or Remove Libraries from File Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 10 using File Explorer, do the following steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, launch File Explorer.
To open File Explorer on Windows 10, you can use the Windows + E shortcut keys.
Step 2. When File Explorer appears on your computer, right-click on the empty area inside the navigation pane and check or uncheck the Show libraries option to enable or disable Libraries per your requirements.
How to Show or Hide Libraries through Folder Options?
To hide or unhide Libraries from File Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 10 via Folder Options, do the following steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, open Folder Options.
Step 2. Next, switch to the View tab.
Step 3. Now, scroll down to the bottom to find the “Navigation pane” section and check or uncheck the option Show libraries.
Step 4. Then, click the Apply button.
Step 5. At last, select the OK button.
When you complete the above steps, depending on your settings, Libraries will appear or disappears from File Explorer Navigation Pane on your Windows 10 PC.
How to Show or Hide Libraries Using Windows 10 Registry Editor?
To hide or unhide the Libraries in Windows 10 File Explorer navigation pane via Registry Editor, do the following steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, open the Registry Editor window.
Step 2. When Registry Editor appears on your computer, browse to the following key on the left side:-
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}
Step 3. Next, double-click on the System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree REG_DWORD on the opposite side and set its “Value data” to:-
- 1: Add Libraries.
- 0: Remove Libraries.
Step 4. Click OK.
When you complete the above steps, Libraries will show or hide from File Explorer Navigation Pane on your Windows 10 PC, depending upon your settings.
How to Add or Remove Folders from Libraries on Windows 10 File Explorer?
To add or remove folders to Libraries on Windows 10, do the following steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, open File Explorer and navigate to the folder you want to add to the Libraries.
Step 2. Then, select Include in library > Create new library.
Step 3. After that, the selected folder is added to the Libraries.
To remove any folder from the Libraries, right-click on the folder in Libraries you want to remove and select the Delete option.
Then, click the Yes button to remove that folder from Libraries.
Please note that removing a folder from Libraries will not remove that folder from the physical location. If you want to erase that folder from your PC completely, locate it in File Explorer and delete it.
That’s it.
Conclusion
The concept of Libraries in Windows 10’s File Explorer is designed for user convenience, aggregating content from diverse locations into unified access points. While the default settings serve the needs of many, there are those who want a tailored File Explorer experience. Whether you’re looking to simplify the navigation pane or add personalized libraries, Windows 10 provides the flexibility to do so. Through the detailed methods elucidated above, users can effortlessly modify their File Explorer settings, ensuring an interface that aligns with their preferences and work habits.
