Recently we told you how to disable "HomeGroup" feature in Windows 7. Today we are going to share a small trick to disable "Libraries" in Windows 7. If you are not aware of "Libraries", please visit this link. "Libraries" icon is always visible in Windows Explorer.
After following this tutorial, "Libraries" feature will be disabled in Windows 7 and its icon will also be removed from Explorer and Start menu.
You just need to run a small Registry script to disable it. Download following ZIP file, extract it and run the "Disable Libraries in Windows 7.REG" file:
After running the .REG file, log off or restart your system and you'll no longer see Libraries icon in Windows Explorer:
If you don't want to disable complete "Libraries" feature but only want to remove its icon from Explorer, then run "Only Remove Libraries Icon from Windows 7 Explorer.reg" file.
PS: There is also a restore script available in case you want to restore Libraries.
This article was posted by VG in following section: Troubleshooting, Windows 7.
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Zane
I see. I misunderstood your first reply.
Back to the point, then: Is there any way to modify the Documents, Pictures, etc Links on the Start Menu to point to the corresponding folders (like on Vista)?
VG
^^ You can right-click on the entry, go to its Properties and then add/remove the desired folder.
Zane
Yes, that's how I'm working it around at the moment... but I'm sure you'll agree that having a Library with just one folder indexed it isn't the same of "modify the Documents, Pictures, etc Links on the Start Menu to point to the corresponding folders"
MAGNUMHEART
@Eki
vg, maybe he is talking about the user folder which is under desktop
in the navigation pane.
it wud be present if u have checked "Show all folders"
from the "Folder and search options". ^^
@VG
is there a way to also remove "Network" from the pane. ^^
also does the trick "Editing the common places from dialog boxes [save/open]
apply to windows 7" the tut u made for xp. ;)
Eki
@MAGNUMHEART
that's was it. nice.
I unticked "show all folders" and it removed the username folder from explorer.
thank you sir.
RsrMusic
I don't know how to change them exactly
But maybe one of you is smart enough..
The paths in regedit are in:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE ->Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> Currentversion -> Explorer -> StartPanel -> Choose what you wanna change
AGAIN:
I don't really know how to change it..
Maybe one of you guys is smart enough to change them..
i'm just posting a tip
Ricardo Amaral
This nice but for me still has problem...
Libraries are too well integrated into the OS that disabling them makes things harder. For instance, there are many applications out there that still use the old classic and more known as Common File Open/Save Dialog and if you completetly disabled libraries or even just remove it from Explorer, the Common File Open/Save Dialog will no longer show a shortcut for the Libraries. Which will make it harder to reach documents, music, videos and pictures folders for people that actually use the folders (but not the libraries itself).
Now, I've tried to customize the Common File Open/Save Dialog shortcuts but I can't seem to mimic the same entries just replacing the Libraries one with the Home folder as it currently works on Vista.
Any ideas?
jamesbebby
hi, what about just removing 'favorites' ?
cheers james
all2ez
Thanks for this trick and a few others I've used. Here's one for you:
You don't really have to restart or log off to apply the "Only Remove Libraries Icon from Windows 7 Explorer.reg" and others like it. Say your like me and are watching a movie in VLC and have a couple of firefox windows open when you decide to run the reg file and get rid of libraries explorer. Instead of logging off and having to close and reopen all of those windows, just do the following:
- Right click taskbar and choose Start Task Manager
- In the Task Manager, right click and end all explorer.exe process on the processes tab
- Still in the Task Manager, go to the File menu and choose New Task (Run...)
- Type explorer.exe in the Open box and click OK (this will restart explorer)
Viola, all new explorer windows will have the fix applied.
VG
^^ Please check following topic:
http://www.askvg.com/placesbar-editor-customize-default-places-bar-in-common-file-dialog-box-in-windows-and-office/