How to Add or Remove Libraries from File Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 10?

In Windows 10, Libraries are a link of folders that includes Camera Roll, Documents, Music, Pictures, Saved Pictures, and Videos. If you enable Libraries on your Windows 10 PC, it will always appear in the navigation pane.

Windows automatically adds these folders to the default libraries and sets them as the default save location. The folders in a library are displayed in one single view location regardless of the actual physical location of the folder. If you want, you can configure Libraries to include locally stored folders on your computer and those folders shared over a network. You can find Libraries located in the hidden folder %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries.

In this gearupwindows article, we will guide you through different methods to add or remove Libraries from File Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 10.

How to Add or Remove Libraries from File Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 10 using File Explorer?

This is the easiest method to show or hide Libraries from File Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 10. To add or remove Libraries, use the following steps:-

Step 1. First, launch File Explorer.

To open File Explorer on Windows 10, you can use the Windows + E shortcut keys.

Step 2. When File Explorer appears on your computer, right-click on the empty area inside the navigation pane and check or uncheck the Show libraries option to enable or disable Libraries per your requirements.

How to Show or Hide Libraries through Folder Options?

To hide or unhide Libraries from File Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 10 via Folder Options, do the following:-

Step 1. First, open Folder Options.

Step 2. Then, switch to the View tab.

Step 3. Next, scroll down to the bottom to find the “Navigation pane” section and check or uncheck the option Show libraries.

Step 4. After that, click the Apply button.

Step 5. Finally, select the OK button.

Once you complete the above steps, depending upon your settings, Libraries will appear or disappears from File Explorer Navigation Pane on your Windows 10 PC.

How to Show or Hide Libraries Using Windows 10 Registry Editor?

To hide or unhide the Libraries in Windows 10 File Explorer navigation pane via Registry Editor, do the following steps:-

Step 1. First, open the Registry Editor window.

Step 2. When Registry Editor appears on your computer, browse to the following key on the left side:-

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}

Step 3. On the opposite side, double-click on the System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree REG_DWORD and set its “Value data” to:-

  • 1: Add Libraries.
  • 0: Remove Libraries.

Step 4. Click OK.

Once you complete the above steps, depending upon your settings, Libraries will show or hide from File Explorer Navigation Pane on your Windows 10 PC.

How to Add or Remove Folders from Libraries on Windows 10 File Explorer?

To add folders to Libraries on Windows 10, use the following steps:-

Step 1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder you want to add to the Libraries.

Step 2. Next, select Include in library > Create new library.

Step 3. When you’re done, the selected folder is added to the Libraries.

To remove any folder from the Libraries, right-click on the folder in Libraries you want to remove and select the Delete option.

Next, click the Yes button to remove that folder from Libraries.

Please note that removing a folder from Libraries will not remove that folder from the physical location. If you want to erase that folder from your PC completely, locate it in File Explorer and delete it.

Good luck.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Libraries in Windows 10 is a useful feature that allows users to organize their files and folders into a single location for easy access. Whether you want to add or remove Libraries from the File Explorer Navigation Pane or add or remove folders from Libraries, Windows 10 provides multiple methods to achieve your desired result. You can use File Explorer, Folder Options, or Registry Editor to customize the display of Libraries according to your needs. By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this article, you can easily manage your Libraries on your Windows 10 PC.

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