Libraries - Add or Remove from Navigation Pane in Windows 8 Explorer

Add or Remove "Libraries" from Navigation Pane in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

Libraries in Windows 8 and 8.1, like in Windows 7, allow you to access and organize files that are actually saved at different local and remote locations in the one library folder location.

For more information about Libraries in Windows 8, see:

• Libraries: frequently asked questions - Windows Help

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove Libraries from the navigation pane of File Explorer for only your account or all users in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.

   Note

When Libraries is removed from the navigation pane in Windows Explorer, it does not disable libraries. Users will still be able to manually navigate to, or create shortcuts pointing to, the Libraries folders location below to access a library.

The default pinned File Explorer (Windows Explorer) icon on the taskbar will still open to Libraries since it's target is the current user location below. This can be changed to open to another location instead by the user if they like though.

   Tip

The default Libaries folders are at the hidden locations below.

For all users
C:\Users\Public\Libraries

For current user only
C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries

   Warning

If you add Libraries to the navigation pane, then the default File Explorer pinned on the taskbar will open to Libraries instead of the default This PC.

EXAMPLE: "Libraries" in Navigation Pane of Windows 8
NOTE: This is the Libraries group added (default) (left screenshot below) and removed (right screenshot below) from the Navigation Pane.

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OPTION ONE

Add or Remove "Libraries" from Your Navigation Pane using File Explorer

NOTE: If step 7 in OPTION FOUR is used it will override this option.

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1. Open File Explorer, then do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.​

NOTE: You could also press the :winkey: + E keys to open File Explorer.​

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2. To Add "Libraries" to your Navigation Pane in Windows 8.1​

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A) Right click or press and hold on a empty space in the navigation pane, and click/tap on Show libraries to check it. (see screenshot below)​

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3. To Remove "Libraries" from your Navigation Pane in Windows 8.1​

NOTE: This is the default setting.​

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A) Right click or press and hold on a empty space in the navigation pane, and click/tap on Show libraries to uncheck it. (see screenshot below)​

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OPTION TWO

Add or Remove "Libraries" from Your Navigation Pane using Folder Options

NOTE: If step 7 in OPTION FOUR is used it will override this option.

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1. Open Folder Options, click/tap on the General tab, then do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)​

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2. To Add "Libraries" to your Navigation Pane in Windows 8.1​

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A) Under the Navigation pane section, check the Show libraries box, and click/tap on OK.​

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3. To Remove "Libraries" from your Navigation Pane in Windows 8.1​

NOTE: This is the default setting.​

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A) Under the Navigation pane section, uncheck the Show libraries box, and click/tap on OK.​

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OPTION THREE

Add or Remove "Libraries" from Your Navigation Pane using a REG File

   Note

If step 7 in OPTION FOUR is used it will override this option.

The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.

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

System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree DWORD

0 = Don't show Libraries in current user Navigation Pane
1 = Show Libraries in current user Navigation Pane

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1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.​

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2. To Remove "Libraries" from your Navigation Pane in Windows 8.1​

NOTE: This is the default setting.​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

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Do_Not_Show_Libraries_in_Your_Navigation_Pane.reg​

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3. To Add "Libraries" to your Navigation Pane in Windows 8.1​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

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Show_Libraries_in_Your_Navigation_Pane.reg​

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4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.​

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5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to Merge it.​

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6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.​

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7. If you like, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​

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8. If open, close and reopen File Explore to apply.​

OPTION FOUR

Add or Remove "Libraries" from All Users Navigation Pane in Registry

NOTE: You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do this option.

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1. From the Start or Apps screen, start and finish typing regedit, and press Enter.​

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2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.​

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3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)​

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HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}\ShellFolder

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4. If you have not already, then in the left pane of regedit, take ownership first then set permissions to "Allow" the Administrators group "Full control" of the ShellFolder registry key. (see screenshot above)​

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5. In the right pane of ShellFolder, double click/tap on Attributes to modify it, then do step 6 or 7 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below step 3)​

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6. To Add "Libraries" to All Users Navigation Pane in Windows 8 or 8.1​

NOTE: This is the default setting in Windows 8.​

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A) Type in b080010d, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​

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B) If you have a 64-bit Windows 8 installed go to step 8 below.​

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C) If you have a 32-bit Windows 8 installed go to step 9 below.​

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7. To Remove "Libraries" from All Users Navigation Pane in Windows 8 or 8.1​

NOTE: This is the default setting in Windows 8.1.​

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A) Type in b090010d, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​

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B) If you have a 64-bit Windows 8 installed go to step 8 below.​

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C) If you have a 32-bit Windows 8 installed go to step 9 below.​

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8. If you have 64-bit Windows 8 or 8.1 Installed​

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   Note

If you have 64-bit Windows 8 installed, then you will need to do this step to also add or remove Libraries from the "Open" and "Save as" type dialog windows.

   Note

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This step is not available or needed if you have 32-bit Windows 8 installed.​

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A) In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)​

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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}\ShellFolder

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B) Repeat steps 4 to 6A/7A above.​

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C) When finished go to step 9 below.​

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9. Close regedit, then either restart explorer, sign out and in, or restart the computer to apply.​

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10. If you did step 6 and have Windows 8.1, users can now be able to do OPTION ONE, OPTION TWO, or OPTION THREE above to show or don't show Libraries on their navigation pane.​

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Add or Remove Libraries in This PC in Windows 8 and 8.1
• Hide or Show a Library in Navigation Pane in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Fix Libraries when Hidden and Empty in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Fix the "Library-ms is no longer working" Error in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Create a New Library in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Change a Library Icon in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Add a Folder to a Library in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Remove a Folder from a Library in Windows 8 and 8.1
• Set "Default Save Location" and "Public Save Location" for a Library in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Show or Hide Navigation Pane in File Explorer in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Add or Remove Control Panel from Navigation Pane in Windows 8 and 8.1
• Add or Remove "Favorites" from Navigation Pane in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Add or Remove "Homegroup" from Navigation Pane in Windows 8 and 8.1
• Add or Remove "Network" from Navigation Pane in Windows 8 and 8.1
• Add or Remove "Computer" or "This PC" from Navigation Pane in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Add or Remove Recycle Bin on Navigation Pane in Windows 8 and 8.1
• Add or Remove "SkyDrive" from Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 8.1
• How to Add or Remove Your User Folder on Navigation Pane in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Arrange Folders Included in a Library in Any Order in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Move Libraries above This PC in Navigation Pane in Windows 8.1
• How to Rename "Libraries" in Navigation Pane in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Create a "Documents Library" Shortcut in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Create a "Music Library" Shortcut in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Create a "Pictures Library" Shortcut in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Create a "Videos Library" Shortcut in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Add or Remove Libraries Desktop Icon in Windows 8 and 8.1

 

[cat]

Thanks Brink, I tried everything you said, restarted and restored, but no joy, I'm afraid

 

[cat]

Just reading through your posts again and still trying to understand where the navigation pane is. And I've never heard of a folder tree. Is it the same place where the windows library is and is the folder tree the list of files where the libraries are listed?. I'm just wondering if I'm typing regedit in the wrong window pane. The reg editor that appeared on my screen looks nothing like the one in the instructions. It had no shellfolder or attributes. I just find it difficult to take it back to PC world as I am disabled, mainly housebound....it's difficult to know what to do. I do a lot of word docs and every time I try save something, it saves but there is a continual warning that library is not working.... a pain.

 

[Brink]

Yep, the navigation pane is the area highlighted in red below.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/24458-navigation-pane-show-hide-windows-8-file-explorer.html

You could try doing a system restore using a restore point dated before you had this issue to see if it may be able to fix it for you.

If not, then you could test by creating a new administrator account for yourself to see if your libraries work while signed in to it. If they do, then you could use that account instead, and copy over anything (shortcuts, files, etc....) from the old account that you wanted.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5536-user-account-add-new-user-windows-8-a.html​

 

[cat]

That's an excellent idea. Thanks, I'll let you know how it goes

 

[cat]

Brink....you are WONDERFUL!! I added new user and the libraries work perfectly well in there. There is not much in that new user account and I'm not even sure if my Word is installed in there. I wonder if you could help explain how to transfer everything over. I opened new outlook account and it says to transfer contacts to export file in my old user name and then return to new user account and transfer from there. Trouble is, I don't know how to export contacts to file. What exactly are the contacts? Are they people or files from old user account? If it is just people I can do manually, but just want to know if there is a way to transfer all content from old user account to new user account

Thanks again, much appreciated

 

[Brink]

Cat,

Where you able to do a system restore using a restore point dated before you had this issue?

It may be able to fix your original account to not have to worry about transferring anything to the new account.

 

[cat]

Hi Brink

I did try a system restore following the instructions, but it only displayed 3 dates in April when I had downloaded some kind of upgrade of an app. However, my problem started a day or two prior to the latest date. I have done system restores before with XP and, if I remember, it was via pressing F12 at start up. This wasn't anywhere near the same. ie, it didn't show a calender just box with 3 dates when I had did something to comp. I'm sure it was upgrading apps. If there's another way I'll give it a go.

Did I open the right email account with outlook if I do need to transfer things? TBH I don't have a lot on my comp in the way of documents. I could transfer things manually. However, under the new user there are only bare amount of app tiles. That doesn't bother me either cause I can start again. The only thing I wouldn't like to do is try install my Word under new user. I only have the card with product key but not sure if it will allow me to re-install again. Or is Word already there? Sorry, that's a bit long, just thinking my options and my capability

 

[Brink]

No worries.

The programs are still installed on the PC. You would just need to create new shortcuts from their .exe files of where the programs were installed at (ex: Program File).

If you setup your email with the same accounts, then usually your contacts and messages may be added automatically if you had messages set to be left on the server.

 

[cat]

Oh heavens, I don't know how to create short cuts from .exe files and have no idea what ( ex: program File ) is. Are there instructions for this procedure? I would certainly try. The alternative is, can I treat the new user as if it's brand new computer and reinstall everything? The more I dig, the deeper it seems to get but I'm always up for the challenge. It's just the word installation....I wouldn't really know where to start. Is it just a case of visiting the website written on product card booklet or is there more to it?

Thanks Brink

 

[Brink]

You might see if you may be able to just copy and paste any shortcuts you wanted from the old account to your new account.

 

[cat]

Hi Brink... I just wanted to say a very BIG thank you for all your advice and patience. I did manage to open the new user account on the PC and eventually did manage to transfer everything by sugarsync.

Much appreciated

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Cat. That's great news. I'm happy to hear it.

 

[pinklotus]

hi
why don't i have the Show libraries box option in my folder option?
i have windows 8 pro 32 bit

 

[Brink]

hi
why don't i have the Show libraries box option in my folder option?
i have windows 8 pro 32 bit

Hello Pinklotus,

That option in OPTION TWO of the tutorial is only available in Windows 8.1 and not Windows 8. For your version, you would only be able to do OPTION THREE.

If you like, you could upgrade to or clean install the Windows 8.1 Preview, but the official final public release will not be until around October or so.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27188-windows-8-1-preview-download-install.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[pinklotus]

thanks alot
how can i upgrade my windows 8 without loosing any personal settings and my files?
is it possible?

 

[Brink]

Pinklotus,

Personally, I would recommend to just wait on the free final RTM version of Windows 8.1 to be released towards the end of year.

This way you could just upgrade to it as per the red warning box at the top of tutorial in my above without losing anything.

If you upgrade to the 8.1 preview now, then you wouldn't be able to keep your settings and apps when you upgraded to the final RTM 8.1 later.

You could still use OPTION THREE in the tutorial on the first page here to remove Libraries from your navigation pane if you like though.

 

[pinklotus]

thanks for the advice
i will wait


i have another question about library
i take ownership of the key but it still doesn't allow me to change anything
i select my name in step 5 i think that where i'm doing it wrong
which account should i choose?

 

[Brink]

You're almost there pinklotus. You just missed the second part of step 4 in Option Three.

After you take ownership, you must then set permissions to "Allow" your account "Full control" of the key before it will allow you to modify the Attributes DWORD data value.

 

[pinklotus]

I used option 3 and managed to remove library
but now when I log into windows it goes straight to desktop and skip start menu
is it because i removed library?
can i make it to go to start menu first , without adding library again?

 

[Brink]

This tutorial wouldn't have any affect on how or what Windows 8 starts up to.

Did you install any 3rd party program that added a Start Menu to Windows 8 that may have an option to select to startup to the Start screen or desktop?