Add or Remove Folders from This PC in Windows 10  

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    Add or Remove Folders from This PC in Windows 10

    Add or Remove Folders from This PC in Windows 10

    How Add or Remove Folders from This PC in Windows 10
    Published by Category: General Tips
    23 Dec 2022
    Designer Media Ltd

    How Add or Remove Folders from This PC in Windows 10


    The This PC window includes a Folders group that displays a linked 3D Objects, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos folder from the current user account's "C:\Users\(user-name)" profile folder location.

    While you can collapse or expand the Folders group in This PC, you may wish to remove all or specific folders instead. Removing all of the user folders will also remove the Folders group in This PC since it would be empty.

    This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the default 3D Objects, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos Folders in This PC for all users in Windows 10.

    You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to add or remove Folders in This PC.


    For a Windows 11 version of this tutorial, see:

    Add or Remove Folders under This PC in File Explorer in Windows 11



    Contents




    EXAMPLE: Folders in This PC
    Add or Remove Folders from This PC in Windows 10-folders_in_this_pc.jpg






    OPTION ONE

    To Remove Folders in This PC (METHOD ONE)


    1 Do step 2 (all), step 3 (3D Objects), step 4 (Desktop), step 5 (Documents), step 6 (Downloads), step 7 (Music), step 8 (Pictures), or step 9 (Videos) for what you would like to do.


     2. To Remove All Default User Folders in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Remove_All_user_Folders_in_This_PC-RECOMMENDED.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Remove_All_user_Folders_in_This_PC-RECOMMENDED.reg

    Download


     3. To Remove Only 3D Objects Folder in This PC

    The "3D Objects" folder was added to "This PC" starting with Windows 10 build 16226.

    The "3D Objects" folder will no longer be shown as a special folder in File Explorer by default starting with Windows 10 build 21322.

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Remove_3D-Objects_Folder_in_This_PC-RECOMMENDED.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Remove_3D-Objects_Folder_in_This_PC-RECOMMENDED.reg

    Download


     4. To Remove Only Desktop Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Remove_Desktop_Folder_in_This_PC-RECOMMENDED.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Remove_Desktop_Folder_in_This_PC-RECOMMENDED.reg

    Download


     5. To Remove Only Documents Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Remove_Documents_Folder_in_This_PC-RECOMMENDED.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Remove_Documents_Folder_in_This_PC-RECOMMENDED.reg

    Download


     6. To Remove Only Downloads Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Remove_Downloads_Folder_in_This_PC-RECOMMENDED.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Remove_Downloads_Folder_in_This_PC-RECOMMENDED.reg

    Download


     7. To Remove Only Music Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Remove_Music_Folder_in_This_PC-RECOMMENDED.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Remove_Music_Folder_in_This_PC-RECOMMENDED.reg

    Download


     8. To Remove Only Pictures Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Remove_Pictures_Folder_in_This_PC-RECOMMENDED.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Remove_Pictures_Folder_in_This_PC-RECOMMENDED.reg

    Download


     9. To Remove Only Videos Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Remove_Videos_Folder_in_This_PC-RECOMMENDED.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Remove_Videos_Folder_in_This_PC-RECOMMENDED.reg

    Download


    10 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

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

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

    13 If File Explorer is currently open, then refresh (F5) the window to apply.

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






    OPTION TWO

    To Remove Folders in This PC (METHOD TWO)


    When you remove folders in This PC using this option, it will also remove them from your separate user profile folder group in the navigation pane when you have Show all folders turned on. If wanted, you can pin these folders to Quick access to have them show under it in the navigation pane.

    The removed folders will still be in your actual "C:\Users\(user-name)" (%UserProfile%) folder location in File Explorer.
    Add or Remove Folders from This PC in Windows 10-user_folder_navigation_pane.png


    1 Do step 2 (all), step 3 (3D Objects), step 4 (Desktop), step 5 (Documents), step 6 (Downloads), step 7 (Music), step 8 (Pictures), or step 9 (Videos) for what you would like to do.


     2. To Remove All Default User Folders in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Remove_All_user_Folders_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Remove_All_user_Folders_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


     3. To Remove Only 3D Objects Folder in This PC

    The "3D Objects" folder was added to "This PC" starting with Windows 10 build 16226.

    The "3D Objects" folder will no longer be shown as a special folder in File Explorer by default starting with Windows 10 build 21322.

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Remove_3D-Objects_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Remove_3D-Objects_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


     4. To Remove Only Desktop Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Remove_Desktop_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Remove_Desktop_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


     5. To Remove Only Documents Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Remove_Documents_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Remove_Documents_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


     6. To Remove Only Downloads Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Remove_Downloads_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Remove_Downloads_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


     7. To Remove Only Music Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Remove_Music_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Remove_Music_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


     8. To Remove Only Pictures Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Remove_Pictures_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Remove_Pictures_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


     9. To Remove Only Videos Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Remove_Videos_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Remove_Videos_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    10 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

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

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

    13 You can either restart explorer process or restart computer to apply.

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






    OPTION THREE

    To Restore Folders in This PC


    1 Do step 2 (all), step 3 (3D Objects), step 4 (Desktop), step 5 (Documents), step 6 (Downloads), step 7 (Music), step 8 (Pictures), or step 9 (Videos) for what you would like to do.


     2. To Restore All Default User Folders in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Restore_All_user_Folders_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Restore_All_user_Folders_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


     3. To Restore Only 3D Objects Folder in This PC

    The "3D Objects" folder was added to "This PC" starting with Windows 10 build 16226.

    The "3D Objects" folder will no longer be shown as a special folder in File Explorer by default starting with Windows 10 build 21322.

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Restore_3D-Objects_Folder_in_This_PC

    Download


    64-bit_Restore_3D-Objects_Folder_in_This_PC

    Download


     4. To Restore Only Desktop Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Restore_Desktop_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Restore_Desktop_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


     5. To Restore Only Documents Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Restore_Documents_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Restore_Documents_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


     6. To Restore Only Downloads Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Restore_Downloads_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Restore_Downloads_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


     7. To Restore Only Music Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Restore_Music_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Restore_Music_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


     8. To Restore Only Pictures Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Restore_Pictures_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Restore_Pictures_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


     9. To Restore Only Videos Folder in This PC

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10, and go to step 10 below.

    32-bit_Restore_Videos_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    64-bit_Restore_Videos_Folder_in_This_PC.reg

    Download


    10 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

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

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

    13 You can either restart explorer process or restart computer to apply

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


    That's it,
    Shawn Brink






  1. Posts : 6
    Windows 10 Tech Preview
       #1

    This registry procedure does not appear to work now (build 10122).

    I tried using the documents folder reg file and it does not remove the key.

    I have since deleted the key manually and the documents folder still does not disappear from 'This PC'.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hello Quiberon, and welcome to Ten Forums.

    It looks like Documents was changed in build 10122. I have updated the .reg files for Documents in the tutorial so that they will work now. Please try the new ones to see if they work for you as well. :)
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 6
    Windows 10 Tech Preview
       #3

    Hi,

    I'll try it later today, I've shut down my laptop with windows 10 on it.

    By the way the other folders don't get removed either.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I was just noticing that. All .reg files updated to work now.

    Thank you again for letting me know. :)
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 6
    Windows 10 Tech Preview
       #5

    Thanks,

    I can confirm the procedure is now working again.

    What my explorer window now looks like;
    Add or Remove Folders from This PC in Windows 10-explorer.jpg
    Now if only we could exchange explorer with the version from Windows 7.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    You're welcome. :)
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 2
    windows 10
       #7

    This no longer works with build 10130. You need to also remove the same keys from the following location in the registry:

    "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSp ace"
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Hello Ledah, and welcome to Ten Forums.

    Thank you for the heads up.

    I tested it again on my clean install 64-bit Windows 10 build 10130, and it's still working for me.

    Did you restart explorer or the computer afterwards to see if that may be the issue?

    If so, then please post a screenshot showing where you still see the folders at to see what the issue may be. :)

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1...en-forums.html
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 2
    windows 10
       #9

    Took me awhile to get back to this. I fresh installed build 10130 and then ran your .reg to remove the folders and the result is in the attached WithReg.png.

    Add or Remove Folders from This PC in Windows 10-withreg.png

    After running your .reg file, I restarted explorer and the result looked the same. I then restarted the PC and instead of the five folders, the window looked like the attached WithoutReg.png.
    Add or Remove Folders from This PC in Windows 10-withoutreg.png

    If I add the code I posted prior to this reply, I have all folders removed and it looks like the attached AfterEditReg.png.

    Add or Remove Folders from This PC in Windows 10-aftereditreg.png
      My Computer


 

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