This tutorial will show you how to add or remove Network in the navigation pane of File Explorer for your account in Windows 11.
Windows 11 shows the Network icon in the navigation pane of File Explorer by default. This makes it easy to browse your local network.
If you prefer not to have Network show in the navigation pane of File Explorer, you can remove it.
If you turn on Show all folders in the navigation pane, Network will always show in the navigation pane.
This will not remove the Network icon from the older Open and Save as type common item dialog boxes like below. If wanted, you can manually change the places bar items in common dialog boxes to remove Network from them.
Contents
- Option One: Add or Remove Network in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in File Explorer
- Option Two: Add or Remove Network in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Folder Options
- Option Three: Add or Remove Network in Navigation Pane of File Explorer using REG file
EXAMPLE: Network in the navigation pane of File Explorer
1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).
2 Right click or press and hold on an empty area inside the navigation pane, and click/tap on Show Network to toggle add (checked - default) or remove (unchecked) for what you want. (see screenshot below)
1 Open Folder Options.
2 Click/tap on the View tab. (see screenshot below)
3 Under the Navigation pane section, check (add - default) or uncheck (remove) Show Network for what you want.
4 Click/tap on OK.
1 Do step 2 (add), step 3 (remove), or step 4 (default) below for what you would like to do.
2 Always Add Network to Navigation Pane in File Explorer
This will override Option One and Option Two.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Add_Network_from_navigation_pane_in_File_Explorer.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}]
"System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree"=dword:000000013 Always Remove Network from Navigation Pane in File Explorer
This will override Option One and Option Two.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Remove_Network_from_navigation_pane_in_File_Explorer.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}]
"System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree"=dword:000000003 Default User Choice Network on Navigation Pane in File Explorer
This is the default setting.
This will allow you to use what is set in Option One or Option Two.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Default_userchoice_Network_on_navigation_pane_in_File_Explorer.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}]
"System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree"=-5 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
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 currently open, then close and reopen File Explorer to apply.
9 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
