This PC - Add or Remove "Folders" in Windows 8.1

How Add or Remove Default "Folders" from This PC in Windows 8.1​

   Information

In Windows 8.1, Computer has been renamed to This PC. This PC now displays your Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos folders in addition to the usual devices and drives (hard drives, optical drives, and removable devices) and network locations.

These linked "Folders" are shortcuts of the folders in the C:\Users\(user name) profile folder of the currently signed in user.

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the default Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos folders from only This PC (Computer) for all users in Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

   Warning

Be sure that you use the correct download from Option One or Option Two below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1 for it to work properly.

   Tip

Recent Windows Updates have been resetting this and restoring Folders back to This PC.

If this happens to you after installing Windows Updates, then you can just reapply the .reg file below again.

EXAMPLE: Folders Added and Removed from "This PC" in Windows 8.1

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OPTION ONE

Add or Remove "Folders" from This PC in 32-bit Windows 8.1

   Note

This option will only work in 32-bit Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1.

For 64-bit, see OPTION TWO below instead.

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1. Do step 2 or 3, OR 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and/or 9 below for what you would like to do.​

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2. To Restore All "Folders" to This PC in 32-bit 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 10 below.​

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Restore_Folders_in_This_PC.reg​

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3. To Remove All "Folders" from This PC in 32-bit Windows 8.1​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 10 below.​

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Remove_All_Folders_in_This_PC.reg​

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4. To Remove Only "Desktop" Folder from This PC in 32-bit Windows 8.1​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 10 below.​

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Remove_Desktop_Folder_in_This_PC.reg​

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5. To Remove Only "Documents" Folder from This PC in 32-bit Windows 8.1​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 10 below.​

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Remove_Documents_Folder_in_This_PC.reg​

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6. To Remove Only "Downloads" Folder from This PC in 32-bit Windows 8.1​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 10 below.​

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Remove_Downloads_Folder_in_This_PC.reg​

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7. To Remove Only "Music" Folder from This PC in 32-bit Windows 8.1​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 10 below.​

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Remove_Music_Folder_in_This_PC.reg​

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8. To Remove Only "Pictures" Folder from This PC in 32-bit Windows 8.1​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 10 below.​

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Remove_Pictures_Folder_in_This_PC.reg​

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9. To Remove Only "Videos" Folder from This PC in 32-bit Windows 8.1​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 10 below.​

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Remove_Videos_Folder_in_This_PC.reg​

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10. Save the .reg file to your Desktop.​

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11. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.​

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

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13. Restart the PC to fully apply.​

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14. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​

OPTION TWO

Add or Remove "Folders" from This PC in 64-bit Windows 8.1

   Note

This option will only work in 64-bit Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1.

For 32-bit, see OPTION ONE above instead.

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1. Do step 2 or 3, OR 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and/or 9 below for what you would like to do.​

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2. To Restore All "Folders" to This PC in 64-bit 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 10 below.​

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64-bit_Restore_Folders_in_This_PC.reg​

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3. To Remove All "Folders" from This PC in 64-bit Windows 8.1​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 10 below.​

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64-bit_Remove_All_Folders_in_This_PC.reg​

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4. To Remove Only "Desktop" Folder from This PC in 64-bit Windows 8.1​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 10 below.​

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64-bit_Remove_Desktop_Folder_in_This_PC.reg​

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5. To Remove Only "Documents" Folder from This PC in 64-bit Windows 8.1​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 10 below.​

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64-bit_Remove_Documents_Folder_in_This_PC.reg​

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6. To Remove Only "Downloads" Folder from This PC in 64-bit Windows 8.1​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 10 below.​

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64-bit_Remove_Downloads_Folder_in_This_PC.reg​

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7. To Remove Only "Music" Folder from This PC in 64-bit Windows 8.1​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 10 below.​

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64-bit_Remove_Music_Folder_in_This_PC.reg​

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8. To Remove Only "Pictures" Folder from This PC in 64-bit Windows 8.1​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 10 below.​

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64-bit_Remove_Pictures_Folder_in_This_PC.reg​

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9. To Remove Only "Videos" Folder from This PC in 64-bit Windows 8.1​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 10 below.​

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64-bit_Remove_Videos_Folder_in_This_PC.reg​

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10. Save the .reg file to your Desktop.​

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11. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.​

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

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13. Restart the PC to fully apply.​

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14. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​

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
• How to Add or Remove Control Panel in This PC in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Add or Remove OneDrive in This PC in Windows 8.1
• Add or Remove "Computer" or "This PC" from Navigation Pane in Windows 8 or Windows 8.1
• How to Change "Computer" or "This PC" Folder Name in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
• How to Add or Remove Your User Folder on Navigation Pane in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Map OneDrive in This PC in Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1
• How to Add or Remove DLNA Media Servers from This PC in Windows 8 and 8.1

 

[Brink]

Hyperia,

If you like, here's a .bat version of the .reg. You'll need to right click on the .bat and click on "Run as administrator" for it to work though.

View attachment 29360

Thanks !

Do you have a solution to change the colors of thumbnails?

I'm afraid not.

 

[AskaLangly]

Windows 8.1 and its various added folders, it annoys the hell out of me. Gonna need some help here...

When you are in Explorer and you choose the Desktop folder, it also shows folders/shortcuts for SkyDrive, Homegroup, Control Panel, Network, User Folder, and Libraries. Note that I don't have these added on my actual desktop: only Computer/'This PC' and Documents. Been going through

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace

and... I don't know what to do.

The folders annoy me whenever I want to upload something and the dialog shows these folders as well. All I know is whatever I do here, I must apply to Wow6432Node as well for the 32-bit programs. So OP, you forgot about that: you need to go to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace

to remove the folders AGAIN on 32-bit web browsers like Firefox.

Anyway, my original question is about the desktop folders/shortcuts showing up in the Desktop folder in File Explorer.

 

[Brink]

Hello Aska, and welcome to Eight Forums.

I'm not quite sure what the "Desktop" folder has to do with this tutorial. This tutorial is only for the user folders under "Folders" when you have "This PC" opened. It also removes them from the small open type dialogs in 64-bit Windows as is as well.

Please clarify.

 

[AskaLangly]

For starters, this tutorial is only half the problem. If you start up Firefox and want to, say, upload something. You have the dialog box open... you still have the folders. You need to access the Wow6432Node portion of the registry and delete the similar entries from there, as the browser is a 32-bit program.

For my situation, here's a screenshot of what I mean.

See the Skydrive, Homegroup, etc. in the Desktop folder? I don't have those on my desktop. I'm trying to find a way to remove them.

 

[Brink]

Aska,

Yep, SkyDrive is a completely different issue than what this tutorial covers. To remove SkyDrive, you could use either tutorial below depending on your SkyDrive needs.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/28027-skydrive-remove-navigation-pane-windows-8-1-a.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/29426-skydrive-integration-windows-8-1-enable-disable.html

 

[ksdixon]

just installed final 8.1 pro. reg file to remove desktop doesnt workfollowing refresh/open and closing of file explorer. will try a reboot now.

edit: sorry, the reboot fixed this. I always forget that after an OS update/refresh that it takes a couple of reboots for Windows to truely start saving your settings. In addition to the desktop .reg file not working before and working now, I've just had to re-set my display/personalization/theme settings all over again, lol.

 

[majkumi]

Hello guys,

I have other problem with reg. keys. Remove "Folders"
All ok on explorer, when i use:



But when i example open OblyTile v0.9.1 and search image:

problem... this icons not remove

How that fix?


Thank you.
Majkumi

 

[Brink]

Hello Majkumi, and welcome to Eight Forums.

After using the .reg file from step 2 to remove the folders, did you close and reopen File Explorer or restart the PC to apply?

 

[majkumi]

Hello Majkumi, and welcome to Eight Forums.

After using the .reg file from step 2 to remove the folders, did you close and reopen File Explorer or restart the PC to apply?

yeah... but still here

 

[Brink]

Try merging the .reg file from step 3 again in case you may not approved one of the prompts at step 12.

 

[majkumi]

Brink is too same

I do restart and too same...
Only hide explorer folders, but when i search something with window explorer is a problem and icons is back and no removed:

 

[Brink]

Ok. Go ahead and export the key below from your registry, and upload it here. I'll take a looks at it to see if I may be able to spot an issue there.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace


Next, check to see if you may have the registry location below. By default, you shouldn't. If you do, go ahead and export and upload it as well.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace

 

[majkumi]

there is nothing in HKEY_CURRENT_USER like " ... \MyComputer\NameSpace " ... what now?

 

[Brink]

What subkeys does the NameSpace key have under it at the location below?

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace

 

[majkumi]

only DelegateFolders & RemovableStorage

 

[Brink]

Ok. It's time for a needle in a haystack approach.

Use the Find and Find Next feature in regedit to search for the key below for your "Music" folder. Export and upload the .reg file of each instance of the key found, and I'll take a look to see if it may be what we're looking for.

{1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE}

 

[majkumi]

Yeap done!
If I'm not mistaken. If user have 64bit system. Need remove keys in here:


[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE}]
; Music Folder

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}]
; Downloads Folder

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{3ADD1653-EB32-4cb0-BBD7-DFA0ABB5ACCA}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{3ADD1653-EB32-4cb0-BBD7-DFA0ABB5ACCA}]
; Pictures Folder

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}]
; Videos Folder

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{A8CDFF1C-4878-43be-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{A8CDFF1C-4878-43be-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0}]
; Documents Folder

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}]
; Desktop Folder

 

[majkumi]

And i have last problem:

When i click in explorer example "Downloads Folder" is shows here:



Or i need remove all keys in regedit?

example all keys {1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE} ?

 

[majkumi]

Sorry,
I thought it was for all systems..

One more thing I saw in (example) "Nvidia setting" is on window explorer " + Documents"


maybe is more than one...

 

[Brink]

Ok. Option Two has been added to the tutorial for 64-bit Windows 8.1. Please let me know how that works for you now.