This tutorial will show you how to add or remove Control Panel in the navigation pane of File Explorer for your account or all users in Windows 11.
You can use Control Panel to change settings for Windows. These settings control nearly everything about how Windows looks and works, and you can use them to set up Windows so that it's just right for you.
When you open the Control Panel, you can select to view the Control Panel in either the Category, Large icons, or Small icons view.
The Control Panel is in the process of being deprecated in favor of the Settings app, which offers a more modern and streamlined experience.
While the Control Panel still exists for compatibility reasons and to provide access to some settings that have not yet migrated, you're encouraged to use the Settings app, whenever possible.
- Option One: Add or Remove Control Panel in Navigation Pane for Current User using "Show all folders"
- Option Two: Add or Remove Control Panel in Navigation Pane for Current User using REG file
- Option Three: Add or Remove Control Panel in Navigation Pane for All Users using REG file
EXAMPLE: Control Panel in navigation pane of File Explorer
If Show all folders is turned on, the Control Panel will always show in the navigation pane until you turn off Show all folders unless you use Option Three.
1 Turn On (add) or Off (remove) "Show all folders" in Navigation Pane for what you want.
Turn On or Off Show all folders in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 11
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1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you want.
This will allow you to add the Control Panel to the navigation pane without having to turn on Show all folders.
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}]
@="Control Panel"
"System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree"=dword:00000001This is the default setting.
If Show all folders is turned on, the Control Panel will still always show in the navigation pane unless you use Option Three.
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}]
@="Control Panel"
"System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree"=dword:000000004 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 If you have Smart App Control turned on, you will need to unblock the downloaded REG file.
6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8 If File Explorer is open, close and reopen File Explorer (Win+E) to apply.
9 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you want.
This is the default setting to add Control Panel to the navigation pane when Show all folders is turned on.
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}]
@="ControlPanelHome"
"HiddenByDefault"=-This will override Option One and Option Two.
This will remove Control Panel from the navigation pane even when Show all folders is turned on or off.
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}]
@="ControlPanelHome"
"HiddenByDefault"=dword:000000014 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 If you have Smart App Control turned on, you will need to unblock the downloaded REG file.
6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8 If File Explorer is open, close and reopen File Explorer (Win+E) to apply.
9 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
