How to remove "Folders" and some other items in This PC window (Windows 10)?

Question

Hello, I'm customizing the Windows 10 interface and wanted to remove the circled parts in explorer windows.

I'm guessing that some can be removed via regedit keys.

What should I look for? thanks!

Answer 1

• The items circled in the Navigation Pane can be removed by unpinning them from Quick Access via their context menus:

  

• For a per-user solution that doesn't modify the default or customized Namespace, CLSID-named entries under the key:

  • <HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideMyComputerIcons>

  with a DWORD value of 1 will hide the corresponding folder:

This PowerShell should do the trick(untested, it's late!)

$NameSpaceKey = 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace'
$HideIconsKey = 'HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideMyComputerIcons'
If (!(Test-Path $HideIconsKey)) {mkdir $HideIconsKey -Force}
$splat = @{
    'Path'  = $HideIconsKey
    'Name'  = ''
    'Value' = 1
}
(Get-ChildItem $NameSpaceKey).PSChildName -like "{*}" | ForEach-Object {
    $splat['Name'] = $_
    Set-ItemProperty @splat
}

Answer 2

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The solution I have found is located here

Since this method requires you to edit the registry, I listed the steps to secure your registry before you modify it.

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Disclaimer: Editing the Windows Registry

Caution: Modifying the Windows Registry can cause system problems, data loss, or system instability. Proceed with extreme care and only if you have a deep understanding of the Registry. Create backups and document changes. If unsure, seek expert assistance. You will solely be liable for any issues resulting from registry edits.

To manually back up the Windows registry, follow these steps:

1. Click on the "Start" button.

2. In the search box, type "regedit.exe" and then press "Enter." If you are asked for an administrator password or confirmation, provide the necessary information.

3. In the "Registry Editor," locate and click on the specific registry key or subkey that you want to back up.

4. Next, select "File" from the menu, and then choose "Export."

5. In the "Export Registry File" dialog box, specify the location where you want to save the backup copy. Additionally, enter a name for the backup file in the "File name" field.

6. Click "Save" to complete the backup process.

To restore a manual backup of the registry, follow these steps:

1. Click on "Start."

2. In the search box, type "regedit.exe" and press "Enter." If prompted, provide the necessary administrator password or confirmation.

3. In the "Registry Editor," click on "File" in the menu, and then select "Import."

4. In the "Import Registry File" dialog box, choose the location where you saved the backup copy. Then, select the backup file you want to restore and click "Open."

These steps will help you backup and restore your Windows registry when needed.

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To access the Windows Registry Editor and modify the required files, you can use the following steps:

1. Press the Windows key (Win) and the 'R' key simultaneously to open the "Run" dialog box.

2. In the "Run" dialog, type "regedit" and press "Enter."

After opening the Registry Editor, navigate to the following location:

*HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace*

In this section of the registry, you will find several keys with complex names. These keys are associated with the folders you see in the Windows Explorer. For instance, one of the keys is associated with the Desktop folder, and it looks like this: {B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}.

To remove a specific folder from the Windows Explorer window, you can simply delete the corresponding registry key by following the information provided above.