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Thatcherw's avatar
Thatcherw
Iron Contributor
Aug 30, 2025

How to remove the default folders from the left pane of File Explorer in Windows11

The left navigation pane of File Explorer displays default folders such as 3D Objects, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos. I wish to completely hide or remove these entries. P...
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ShahabM's avatar
ShahabM
MCT
Aug 30, 2025

To completely hide or remove default folders like 3D Objects, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos from the left navigation pane of File Explorer in Windows 11, you can use the Registry Editor. Here's how:

  1. Open Registry Editor
    Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to the CLSID Key
    Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace
  3. Delete CLSID Entries for Unwanted Folders
  4. Also Check the WOW6432Node (for 64-bit systems)
    If you're on a 64-bit version of Windows 11, repeat the same step 3 for:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace
  5. Restart File Explorer
    Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
    Find Windows Explorer, right-click it, and choose Restart.

 

Important Warning!
Editing the registry can affect system behavior. Always back up your registry before making changes.
These steps apply to Windows 11 Home and Pro editions.

  • Jan_Wijninckx's avatar
    Jan_Wijninckx
    Brass Contributor
    Dec 11, 2025

    Hi Shahab,

    I am at my wits end, nothing works to get rid of these Views like Videos in the navigation pane of explorer. 

    I have tried:

    ; Videos - this sort of thing used to work in Windows 10
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{35286a68-3c57-41a1-bbb1-0eae73d76c95}\PropertyBag]
    "ThisPCPolicy"="Hide"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{35286a68-3c57-41a1-bbb1-0eae73d76c95}\PropertyBag]
    "ThisPCPolicy"="Hide"



    Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}
    Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}
    (Default)        REG_SZ     CLSID_ThisPCMyVideosRegFolder
    HiddenByDefault  REG_DWORD  1
    HideIfEnabled    REG_DWORD  1     some say 22ab9b9 - no diff
    System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree   REG_DWORD  0

     

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}
    System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree   REG_DWORD  0

     

    I have tried what you wrote and deleted them

    I looked in group policy but nothing there.
    Any ideas?
    Looking forward to your thoughts. AI is out of its depth I need real intelligence :)

     

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