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

 

[pinklotus]

yes i did
thank you
i fixed it
it was a program that i had installed

 

[Brink]

Perfect. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.

 

[pinklotus]

hi
i first removed library by changing its key in registry
and then i enabled it again
and now i cant change my lock screen-picture account
can you help me with it?
can i somehow restore changes I've done to the key in registry?
thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello pinklotus,

This setting in this tutorial has no affect on your lock screen background or your user picture. It only affects Libraries.

Another program you installed, that may have done this?

Please post a screenshot showing where you cannot set this to help see what the issue may be.

 

[pinklotus]

i tried every thing that was suggested
this happened after i removed
i even restore to one month before and it didn't do any good
at first i thought it was my activation code but then i just refresh my windows and now its working good
any way thanks for your answer

the message was changing the picture failed try again .......something like that

 

[Brink]

Glad to hear you got it sorted.

 

[MilesAhead]

oh k k i got it...
right click on the left navigation pane & uncheck fav... !!

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5063-favorites-add-remove-navigation-pane-windows-8-a.html

On my system there are only 3 entries in the context menu:
Show Favorites
Show all folders
Expand to current Folder

Nothing about Libraries

 

[Brink]

Hey Miles,

Odd. Was this a clean install of Windows 8, or an upgrade from what OS?

Do the other options in the tutorial work to add Libraries for you?

 

[MilesAhead]

Hey Miles,

Odd. Was this a clean install of Windows 8, or an upgrade from what OS?

Do the other options in the tutorial work to add Libraries for you?

It's a Toshiba Laptop with W8 pre-loaded. All it says is "Windows 8" so I guess it's like a Home version. I didn't try the registry tweak. I also downloaded Doors2Windows NavPane Customizer. It works great on W7. It claims W8 support and has more items than when I used it on W7. But I get an unhandled exception whether run as Admin or plain. Strange. I wish the Customizer tool worked because it's a total no-brainer. Restores defaults just by pushing one button on W7.

 

[Brink]

In Windows 8, only Option Three would be available to use.

Option One and Option Two are only available in Windows 8.1.

 

[MilesAhead]

I always hate it when I buy a machine, then the SP comes out right after. Ok. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Brink]

Anytime mate. A quick update to 8.1 will sort it for you at least.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/32995-windows-8-1-upgrade-windows-8-8-1-preview.html

 

[MilesAhead]

It won't let me grant Full Control to the Registry Key. I change the user to Administrator/Miles. It only shows the entry having Read access. When I try to then go back and set the ShellFolders key to Full Control, when I hit Apply or OK I get Access Denied. Man!! It's like I have to run as administrator to save a text file in this system. It's really super annoying.

 

[Brink]

Hey Miles,

Did you take ownership of the key first, then try to set permissions of the ShellFolder key?

 

[MilesAhead]

Hey Miles,

Did you take ownership of the key first, then try to set permissions of the ShellFolder key?

It seems to be working. For some reason it wants to allow user/miles full access but not administrator/miles. Don't ask me why.

 

[Brink]

Odd. I usually set "Administrators" as the owner with full control.

 

[MilesAhead]

It won't let me. It says Read and that's it. I just logged off and back in. Libraries still shows in Explorer. This is why I wish that Doors2Windows worked. Let the programmer go through the hair ripping.

It's a shame cuz it works great in W7.

 

[Brink]

Sounds like a mistake may have been made somewhere while going through the steps. Once you set "Administrators" as the owner and apply, then you should be able to set Administrators and any others you like to have "Full Control".

Another option would be to update to 8.1 to have the other options to add/remove Libraries available.

 

[MilesAhead]

I notice yours in the screen shots doesn't mention administrators.l Says something about Brink-PC. This is absurd to have to go to these lengths. The silly part is it doesn't prevent boot hosing malware. it just prevents hair retention.

On my system there is both miles administrator and miles administratos plural. I have users\miles with full control but it's not inherited. The inherited users\miles with only Read cannot be removed because of some reason. Ugggghhhhhh!!!

 

[MilesAhead]

Something is peculiar because it allowed me to change the value even though supposedly I had only Read access.

I got it to accept Miles Ahead (which is the current user in administrative group) and give full permissions. Still no joy. Libraries just sits there same as always. The attributes value is the b0900xxxx that I set when supposedly I could only read the value. Guess i'll just live with it.