This tutorial will show you how to move Libraries to show above or below This PC in the navigation pane of File Explorer for your account in Windows 11.
Windows 7 introduced libraries, which provide users with a single, coherent view of their files even when those files are stored in different locations. Libraries can be configured and organized by a user and a library can contain folders that are found on the user's computer and also folders that have been shared over a network. Libraries present a simpler view of the underlying storage system because, to the user, the files and folders in a library are displayed in one single view location, no matter where they are actually physically stored.
In File Explorer, users interact with libraries in ways similar to how they would interact with other folders. Libraries are built upon the legacy known folders (such as Camera Roll, Documents, Music, Pictures, Saved Pictures, and Videos), and these known folders are automatically included in the default libraries and set as the default save location.
When you set to show libraries in the navigation pane of File Explorer, Libraries will show below This PC in the navigation pane by default.
If you like, you can move Libraries to show above This PC and right below Home in the navigation pane of File Explorer.
This will not work if Show all folders is turned on for the navigation pane of File Explorer.
EXAMPLE: Libraries above and below This PC in the navigation pane of File Explorer
Here's How:
1 Do step 2 (above) or step 3 (below) below for what you would like to do.
2 Move Libraries Above This PC in Navigation Pane of File Explorer
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Move_Libraries_above_This-PC_in_navigation_pane_of_File_Explorer.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}]
"SortOrderIndex"=dword:000000403 Move Libraries Below This PC in Navigation Pane of File Explorer
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Default_Libraries_below_This-PC_in_navigation_pane_of_File_Explorer.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}]
"SortOrderIndex"=dword:000000544 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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