How to Add or Remove Linux in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 10
The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a new Windows 10 feature that enables you to run native Linux command-line tools directly on Windows, alongside your traditional Windows desktop and modern store apps.
Starting with Windows 10 build 18342 (19H1) and Windows 10 build 18836 (20H1), Linux will be added to the navigation pane in File Explorer whenever you enable Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).
You can find your WSL distro’s files by accessing \\wsl$\{distro name}\ where {distro name} is the name of a running distro.
Linux in the navigation pane allows you to quickly see all currently running WSL distros from wsl$. When you click/tap on the Distro shortcut in Linux, it will show all currently running WSL distros.
If you like, you can remove Linux from the navigation without having to disable WSL.
See also: Access Linux filesystems in Windows and WSL 2 | Microsoft Windows Command Line Blog
This tutorial will show you how to add or remove Linux in the navigation pane of File Explorer for your account in Windows 10.
If you choose to remove Linux from the navigation pane and have Show all folders turned on for the navigation pane, then Linux will still show until Show all folders is turned off.
EXAMPLE: Linux in navigation pane of File Explorer when WSL is enabled
Here's How:
The downloadable .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD in the registry key below.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{B2B4A4D1-2754-4140-A2EB-9A76D9D7CDC6}
@="Linux"
System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree DWORD
1 = add
0 = remove
1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.
This is the default setting.
This requires to enable Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) first.A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the BAT file below, and go to step 4 below.
Add_Linux_to_navigation_pane_in_File_Explorer.reg
Download
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the BAT file below, and go to step 4 below.
Remove_Linux_from_navigation_pane_in_File_Explorer.reg
Download
4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 If File Explorer (Win+E) is currently open, then close and reopen it to apply.
8 When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
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