This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the user folder on the navigation pane of File Explorer for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
A user profile is a collection of settings that make the computer look and work the way you want it to for a user account. It is stored in the user's C:\Users\<user name> profile folder, and contains the account's settings for desktop backgrounds, screen savers, pointer preferences, sound settings, and other features. User profiles ensure that your personal preferences are used whenever you sign in to Windows.
Your account's user profile folder contains personal folders such as the 3D Objects, Contacts, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Favorites, Links, Music, OneDrive, Pictures, Saved Games, Searches, and Videos folders.
By default, your user folder will only show on the navigation pane of File Explorer when Show all folders is turned on.
If you like, you can add the user folder to show on the navigation pane without having to turn on Show all folders. This can also be useful if you do not want your personal folders pinned to Quick access in the navigation pane, and prefer them under the separate expandable and collapsable user folder instead.
The user folder on the navigation pane will use your account's full name.
If you have Show all folders turned on for the navigation pane, then your user profile folder will always show until Show all folders is turned off.
EXAMPLE: User folder added to navigation pane of File Explorer
Here's How:
1 Do step 2 (add), step 3 (remove) below for what you want.
2 Add User Folder to Navigation Pane in File Explorer
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Add_User_folder_to_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\{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}]
"System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree"=dword:000000013 Remove User Folder from Navigation Pane in File Explorer
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Remove_User_folder_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\{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}]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 If File Explorer is currently open, then close and reopen File Explorer to apply.
8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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