How to Disable “Libraries” Feature in Windows 7?

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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:

Download Registry Script

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.

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This article was posted by VG in following section: Troubleshooting, Windows 7.

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Barry

This is a great help, thanks.

The only thing is, it still seems to be defaulting to the libraries save path for images in Internet Explorer (8). Is there a similar reg-edit to prevent this too?
Julia

is there a way to restore the icons on the Start menu?? The "Restore Default Settings.reg" doesn´t work. i use Windows 7 x64 German Edition. Pls Help!

Thanks in advance
Julian

Works uncompromisely! :))) Thanks for the good tweak!
Rob Williams

Vishal - I ran 'disable libraries' and it worked fine. Small problem - on right clicking start and then 'open windows explorer' - explorer does not open. Nothing happens.
This is the same issue that previously happened if you were in explorer and clicked on organize, layout and then click on navigation panel to remove it from the folder view - explorer will no longer open from start until you re-enabled the navigation panel.
Kevsim

Thanks for the fix Vishal

I to have the same problem as some other people and that's that the Document, Pictures & Music links are no longer available on the Start Menu. You can't pin to Start Menu or drag a shortcut to the Start Menu, the only way to create a link is to pin to Explorer or create Desktop shortcuts. I used your fix because Libraries don't allow you to change folder and file views you have to view all files and folders in the same size.

Do you have a fix that can re-enable them please without enabling Libraries?

Also I have the same problem as Rob, I can't access Explorer by right clicking on Star or by double Clicking on the Explorer icon on the Task Bar.

Do you have fix for this as well please?

Thanks

Kev
Peter

I tried in Win2008 R2 and it didn't work. I'm using this as a Remote Desktop (aka Terminal Services) Server and have Citrix XenApp on top. I'm trying to get office to not default to the Libraries folder, but their %HOME% (aka H:\) when saving files.
Are the reg areas or SID's different in 2008 R2 x64, thus why it's not working?
David W

May 8 2010:
There's no dates on these posts, so not sure if this issue is new (Windows Updates included something that renders it useless?). I've tried this reg fix on a couple different systems today with current Windows Updates (Win 7 Ult 64bit and Win 7 Home Premium 64bit), and on both the reg fix did nothing. I used the "Remove Libraries" option on both, logged off, and logged back on. Libraries still show and work on both Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer.

Any idea if this will be updated to work again?
Rob Williams

Vishal, I posted a question about 1 1/2 months ago that after disabling libraries I could no longer open Explorer by right clicking on start. Kevsim confirmed the same issue.
Do you have anything to fix?
danico55

It says at the end of How to disable libraries in Windows Explorer the following : "PS: There is also a restore script available in case you want to restore Libraries". Where can I find that script? I have trouble with WMP and I think it is related to disabled libraries.
VG

^^ Run "Restore Default Settings.reg".