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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eVa
I had been looking for something like this for a while, but it was only a day before i returned it back to is default settings. Aside from it removing the corresponding links from the start menu that i do want, although as a direct link to my actual document folders. Using this always had an unwanted side-effect of being unable to change which folders wmp imports files from. When you click to manage it, nothing happens.
I wouldnt mind having libraries if there was at the very least an option for the start menu links to be direct folder links instead of library links.
WaVe
Its any chance use this regfile on Win7 64 bit?
BEN GROESBECK
LIBRARIES AND HOME GROUP ICONS SHOULD NOT AUTOMATICALY BE INCLUDED ON WINDOWS 7 DESKTOP...ALL ICONS SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE REMOVED THE NORMAL WAY. REMOVING THE LIBRARIES AND HOME GROUP ICONS IS TOO COMPLECATED FOR THE CASUAL PC USER!!
zoechi
I love it!!!
Now the explorer navigation pane is cleaned up from useless crap with only distracts.
Kemmel
Works fine on my laptop, but on my desktop my username appears instead of the libraries folder, very weird... (with both reg files).
Aaron
Disabling Libraries seems to mess up WMP. I had to re-enable them (yuck!) before WMP would allow me to rip a CD. Is there any way to work around this?
Alan
Hi -- neither of your options really did what I want -- I was looking to make windows explorer launch in a different folder (D:\). When I ran your registry edits, it ended up starting in My Documents.
I was able to get what I want by using your restore script, then right clicking on the Explorer icon in the taskbar. Now right click _again_ on the "Windows Explorer" with icon, and choose properties. I made the target "%windir%\explorer.exe d:\" which is how I like things to work.
The libraries are still there, which doesn't bother me, but I'm not forced to look at them every time I launch explorer (which did bother me).
-- Alan
deko
I ran the reg script and got the expected results: no more Libraries icon in Windows Explorer. But all the Office 2007 apps still default to an Empty Documents Library when I try to save something. I have the "Default File Location" in "Word Options > Save" set to F:\Documents (this folder was relocated from the original location using the Location tab of the folder). Is there anyway to tell the Office File Dialog to not use Libraries and simply go to the Path specified? Thanks in advance.
Graeme
Hi,
Thanks this works a treat on Windows 7. Will this work with Server 2008 terminal services?
VG
^^ Not checked, so you'll need to check it yourself. :)