Personalization Add or Remove Duplicate Drives in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 11


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This tutorial will show you how to add (show) or remove (hide) the drives showing twice in the navigation pane of File Explorer for your account or all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Removable drives are shown as separate groups in the navigation pane of File Explorer by default in addition to being shown under the This PC group in the navigation pane.

OS drives and fixed drives (ex: internal drives) will only be shown under This PC, and not separately in the navigation pane.

This will not affect drives listed under the This PC group in the navigation pane.




Contents

  • Option One: Add or Remove Duplicate Drives in Navigation Pane of File Explorer for Current User
  • Option Two: Add or Remove Duplicate Drives in Navigation Pane of File Explorer for All Users


EXAMPLE: Duplicate removable drives in navigation pane of File Explorer

Drives_in_navigation_pane-1.png
Drives_in_navigation_pane-2.png





Option One

Add or Remove Duplicate Drives in Navigation Pane of File Explorer for Current User


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

2 Add Duplicate Drives in Navigation Pane of File Explorer for Current User

This is the default setting.


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

Add_duplicate_removable_drives_to_navigation_pane_of_File_Explorer_for_current_user.reg​


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

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=-

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=-

3 Remove Duplicate Drives in Navigation Pane of File Explorer for Current User

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

Remove_duplicate_removable_drives_from_navigation_pane_of_File_Explorer_for_current_user.reg​


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

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=dword:b0100000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=dword:b0100000

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

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




Option Two

Add or Remove Duplicate Drives in Navigation Pane of File Explorer for All Users


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.


 2. Add Duplicate Drives in Navigation Pane of File Explorer for All Users

This is the default setting.


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

Add_duplicate_removable_drives_to_navigation_pane_of_File_Explorer_for_all_users.reg​


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

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}]
@="Removable Drives"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}]
@="Removable Drives"


 3. Remove Duplicate Drives in Navigation Pane of File Explorer for All Users

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

Remove_duplicate_removable_drives_from_navigation_pane_of_File_Explorer_for_all_users.reg​


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

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}]

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}]

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


That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 

Attachments

Last edited:
Click to expand...
I had the same issue on a new Win 11 install where the NVMe drive was listed once and my SATA drives (attached to the motherboard) were listed twice. So, I believe that the SATA drives are categorized differently than NVMe drives when a NVMe drive exists, even though they are not really "removeable" drives.
The reg file did remove the duplicates SATA drives for me.
Thanks for providing the reg entry.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux
bmead said:
I had the same issue on a new Win 11 install where the NVMe drive was listed once and my SATA drives (attached to the motherboard) were listed twice. So, I believe that the SATA drives are categorized differently than NVMe drives when a NVMe drive exists, even though they are not really "removeable" drives.
The reg file did remove the duplicates SATA drives for me.
Thanks for providing the reg entry.
Click to expand...

Glad it could help, and welcome to the forum. :alien:
 

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,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    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
    Microsoft Defender
Hi guy, i tried first deleting {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83} and nothing, then i downloaded the file regedit you shared and nothing, both times i have restarted win explorer .. any other idea xD thank you (as u see i have 2 D disks) i have installed 1 ssd via sata and 3 nvme on mobo and the D is the ssd via sata, i guess it could be a problem with sata cable?
 

Attachments

  • Desktop Screenshot 2025.06.19 - 23.14.17.18.webp
    Desktop Screenshot 2025.06.19 - 23.14.17.18.webp
    104.8 KB · Views: 47

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN 11
BeYoNdFPSS said:
Hi guy, i tried first deleting {F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83} and nothing, then i downloaded the file regedit you shared and nothing, both times i have restarted win explorer .. any other idea xD thank you (as u see i have 2 D disks) i have installed 1 ssd via sata and 3 nvme on mobo and the D is the ssd via sata, i guess it could be a problem with sata cable?
Click to expand...

Hello, and welcome to the forum. :alien:

Normally, it's not required to restart the explorer.exe process to apply. You might see if restarting the computer after using step 3 may make it apply.
 

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,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    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
    Microsoft Defender

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,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    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
    Microsoft Defender
Brink said:
You must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove duplicate removable drives in the navigation pane of File Explorer.
Click to expand...
All the methods I listed in Add or Remove Folders in File Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 11 work for this case. So, if you don't want to use admin rights at all the following should work (Option 4):

Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=dword:b0100000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=dword:b0100000

If your normal account is administrative, then you could more easily use this to affect your account only:

Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum]
"{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}"=dword:00000001

Which allows you to omit the OR calculation for the non-admin version.

You can use the identical methods for Add and Remove Quick Access Folders on Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 11 by using the CLSID for that: {3936E9E4-D92C-4EEE-A85A-BC16D5EA0819}
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 25H2 Pro Build 26200
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI PRO ADL-U Cubi 5 (MS-B0A8)
    CPU
    i3-1215U
    Memory
    8GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony 43" 4k TV
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    250GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen 3 SSD
    PSU
    External 65W
    Case
    Mini PC
    Browser
    FireFox
    Antivirus
    MS
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 3070 SFF
    CPU
    Intel i3-9100
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell S2721
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 500GB nvMe
    Case
    Dell small form factor
    Keyboard
    Cherry mechanical (Blue)
    Mouse
    Microsoft
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
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