Libraries Desktop Icon - Add or Remove in Windows 8

How to Add or Remove Libraries Desktop Icon in Windows 8 and 8.1

information   Information
Libraries are collections where you can get to all your documents, music, pictures, and other files in one single place. In some ways, a library works like a folder: you can use it to browse and sort files. But unlike a folder, a library gathers files that are stored in several locations. This is a subtle, but important, difference. Libraries don't actually store your items. They pull from included folders that contain your items, and let you access and arrange the items in different ways. For example, if you have music files in folders on your PC, a shared folder on your network or homegroup, and/or on an external drive, you can include these folders in your Music library so that you can access all of your music files from your Music library.

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove a Libraries desktop icon for only your user account in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.


EXAMPLE: Libraries desktop icon
Libraries_Desktop_Icon.jpg
Libraries.jpg


Here's How:

Note   Note
The .bat files below are for the registry keys and value below.

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel

AND

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu

{031E4825-7B94-4DC3-B131-E946B44C8DD5} DWORD

0 = Add
1 = Remove



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

2. To Remove Libraries Desktop Icon

NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, and go to step 4 below.​
Add_Libraries_Desktop_Icon.bat
download

3. To Add Libraries Desktop Icon
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, and go to step 4 below.​
Remove_Libraries_Desktop_Icon.bat
download

4. Save the .bat file to your desktop, and run it.

5. If prompted, click/tap on Run.
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.

6. You will now notice your screen flicker as explorer is restarted to apply the setting.


That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • Add_Libraries_Desktop_Icon.bat
    547 bytes · Views: 1,655
  • Remove_Libraries_Desktop_Icon.bat
    547 bytes · Views: 1,351
  • Libraries-2.png
    Libraries-2.png
    11.7 KB · Views: 359
Last edited:
Hey Shawn, dude, I love how you've been running these support forums for what seems like a millennium now. These are the best resources on the web, IMHO. I still use your bat files to quickly and painlessly restore my explorer navigation bar back to "normal" after each Windows 8.1 update. (I've also used countless other tutorials you've created).

Anyway, do you have one of these .bat files so that I can display the Desktop in the navigation pane? I tried using the ones included in this tutorial but wonder if they didn't work because I've removed the "Favorites" folder entirely. Thanks in advance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
Hey Shawn, dude, I love how you've been running these support forums for what seems like a millennium now. These are the best resources on the web, IMHO. I still use your bat files to quickly and painlessly restore my explorer navigation bar back to "normal" after each Windows 8.1 update. (I've also used countless other tutorials you've created).

Anyway, do you have one of these .bat files so that I can display the Desktop in the navigation pane? I tried using the ones included in this tutorial but wonder if they didn't work because I've removed the "Favorites" folder entirely. Thanks in advance.

Hello Peter, :)

Correct. Completely removing "Favorites" in the navigation pane would indeed include all the folders pinned to Favorites.

If you like, turning on "Show all folders" below for the navigation pane would show the "Desktop" folder in the navigation pane.

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hello Peter, :)

Correct. Completely removing "Favorites" in the navigation pane would indeed include all the folders pinned to Favorites.

If you like, turning on "Show all folders" below for the navigation pane would show the "Desktop" folder in the navigation pane.

Thanks Shawn, is there a way to show only the desktop folder in addition to my basic folders on the navigation pane?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
Thanks Shawn, is there a way to show only the desktop folder in addition to my basic folders on the navigation pane?

The easiest way would be to add "Favorites" back to the navigation pane.


Afterwards pin and unpin folders you want to show under "Favorites".
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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