Hiding Folders Under This PC

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated March 2, 2020)

2

By default, the navigation pane of File Explorer contains a few standard top-level folders. "This PC" is one such folder. Personally, I navigate the file system via "Quick Access" entries or a special AutoHotKey script, so I'd rather not have "This PC" taking up space. As you can see in the following figure, there are six folders under "This PC": (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. This PC folders.

As you can see from the left side of the figure, I already have some of these folders under "Quick Access". So I'm going to hide the Desktop and Downloads folders so they don't appear under "This PC". This must be done in the Registry, so the first thing to do is to run the Registry Editor. Do this by pressing Windows+R, typing (without the quotes) "regedit", and pressing Enter.

To hide the Desktop folder, navigate in the Registry Editor to the following key. (This is a long name; you'll want to double-check you are in the right key.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ FolderDescriptions\{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}\PropertyBag

You should see a window that matches the following: (See Figure 2.)

Figure 2. Preparing to hide This PC's Desktop folder.

Right-click the PropertyBag node and create a New | String Value. Its name should be (without quotes) "ThisPCPolicy", and its value should be "Hide" (again, no quotes). Your Registry Editor window should now look like this: (See Figure 3.)

Figure 3. Hiding This PC's Desktop folder.

To hide the Downloads folder, go through the same steps to the following Registry key. (Again, this is a long name; you'll want to double-check you are in the right key.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ FolderDescriptions\{7d83ee9b-2244-4e70-b1f5-5393042af1e4}\PropertyBag

Click on File | Exit to leave the Registry Editor. Now if you open This PC in File Explorer you won't see the Desktop or Downloads folders: (See Figure 4.)

Figure 4. File Explorer with Desktop and Downloads hidden.

 This tip (2633) applies to Windows 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode

Hopefully you'll never find yourself in a situation where you need to restart your computer in Safe Mode. If you do, ...

Discover More

Understanding the Start Menu Search Box

The Start Menu Search Box is a great addition to Windows. It can save you a great deal of time by putting frequently used ...

Discover More

Adjusting the Taskbar for Multiple Displays

When you have multiple displays attached to your computer you might want to change how the Taskbar looks on your extra ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

How the Registry is Organized

There may come a time when you need to view or even modify the registry. In such a case, it's good to know how the ...

Discover More

Finding Information in the Registry

The Registry is the central depository of configuration information used by Windows and by programs running on your ...

Discover More

Importing a Portion of the Registry

Windows wouldn't function if it weren't for the Registry, and many system tweaks involve editing it. If you've exported a ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 7 + 0?

2020-12-07 13:47:23

Rubens Alves

@Mark, you misspelled, the correct utility name is *Winaero Tweaker*.


2020-10-25 11:39:35

Mark

Using Winaro Tweaker to add ALL your custom folders to This PC not only looks heaps better, it's also a lot easier. It can also be done via the registry.


Newest Tips