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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Josh
That cannot be true as it HAS NOT WORKED. The start menu search issue may not be related but the issue that your script hasn't brought back the libraries feature remains. The fact that these issues popped up at the same time makes me think they might well be related
MB
Very nice ... i disable “Libraries”, “Network”, “Homegroup” and “Favorites” from Windows Server 2008 Explorer’s Navigation Pane and its work fine. BUT if i use the file dialog box in a application like Microsoft Office 2010 or Firefox to save or open files the rubbish come back. F....
Any idea to solve the problem?
Thanks
Jason O.
Great script. Works pretty well on 2008 R2. I notice in the common Save/Open Dialog box libraries are no longer in there and the default save to location is now set to the Desktop.
Is there a way to change that to "Computer?" I have a 2008 R2 Terminal Server and I want to users to see Computer so they can chose between various mapped network drives.
Perhaps changing the SID on the reg key to the Computer SID?
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
“{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}”=-
Thanks!
GD
This is useful. Windows 7, like Vista before it, is full of useless "features" that add completely unnecessary functionality to the OS. An OS is a background thing, it shouldn't be a part of your everyday work to "manage" it, it should be totally unnoticed unless you need to make a major change. In fact, most of these "features" have much better free equivalents, like the Media Player Classic included in K-Lite Mega Codec pack from free-codecs.com, which is 1000% better than Windows Media Player, and it doesn't try to tell you how to do everything, or what you are allowed to do and what you aren't.
If you need something like this to manage your files, maybe you need a life organizer to help you manage your life too. Think about it. Windows explorer all by itself is more than anyone needs to organize their files, in fact I even disable some of its "features" because I find them just as annoying and intrusive as "Libraries".
The Lifehacker article article that references this one makes the insulting comment "If you really can't get used to it, here is a script to disable it". It's not my job to "get used to" the way Microsoft wants me to do things, it's Microsoft's job to provide an updated OS that helps me do what I want to do, how I want to do it, with my computer. And there's the essence of it: it's my computer, not Microsoft's. What the article should say is "here's a script to disable this "feature" if you are already organized enough to not need Microsoft to lead you around by the hand like a five year old."
PickledPicas
Disabling Libraries or just hiding it leaves other 'browsing abilities' broken..
Trying to browse to a personal Photo folder to use in Aero Desktop Background doesn't work. You can get to the folder, but it doesn't open to use the photos. Not nice.
Replacing Libraries or unhiding it brings your abilities back to normal.
What I did was have Windows Explorer open with My Documents or 'UserName' instead of Libraries.
HS
I ran the Disable Libraries and noticed it still appears in certain save as boxes.
Björn
Hi!
WONDERFUL, thanks!
One problem that can arise when disabling Libraries completely is that when you move a file you get "File not found" when moving, but works if you push "try again". If that happens just restore and use the .reg file that only remove it in Windows Explorer.
Happened for me :/
Raymond
Thank you! I hate the libraries feature, I also have my files organized like I WANT THEM, I don't need Microsoft to confuse me.
Thanks for providing this valuable tool
Edward
Hello, am I doing something wrong? When I double click to run the reg file to disable libraries Win 7 pops up it in Notepad.
When I change what file type to open it with to windows registry and double click it it gives me an error.
"The application was unable to start correctly (0x0000142), Click OK to close the application."
Thanks for your help,
Edward
VG
^^ Right-click on the REG file and select Merge.