How to Rename “Favorites”, “Libraries”, “Homegroup”, “Computer” and “Network” Items in Windows 7 Explorer Navigation Pane?

We have posted a few tutorials in past about removing “Favorites”, “Libraries”, “Homegroup”, “Computer” and “Network” Items from Windows 7 Explorer’s Navigation Pane:

Today in this tutorial, we’ll tell you how to rename these items present in Navigation pane. By default, Windows only allows you to rename “Computer” item. You can right-click on it and select “Rename” and type whatever name you want to give.

But what about other items? You can rename them too using a simple registry trick which is mentioned in the coming steps.

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Rename_Favorites_Libraries_Homegroup_Win_7.png

We’ll modify the same registry keys which we modified in the above mentioned tutorials to remove the items. We’ll just edit a String value “LocalizedString” for each Navigation pane item and give it our desired name.

So without wasting any time, lets start the tutorial:

1. Type regedit in RUN or Start Menu search box and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to any of following keys according to your requirements:

Favorites – HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{323CA680-C24D-4099-B94D-446DD2D7249E}
Libraries – HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}
Homegroup – HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{B4FB3F98-C1EA-428d-A78A-D1F5659CBA93}
Network – HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}

3. Now you’ll need to change value of “LocalizedString” String value present in the right-side section. But Windows will not allow you to change its value as you won’t have proper permissions.

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You can use following simple steps to take permission:

[Guide] How to Take Ownership (Permission) of a Registry Key in Windows?

4. Now double-click on “LocalizedString” String value given in right-side section and change its value to any desired name like “PC Favorites”, “My Libraries”, “Home Network”, etc.

5. That’s it. Now open My Computer and you’ll see the new names for each item.

NOTE: If you want to restore the default names, you can use following default values of “LocalizedString” String value:

Favorites – @%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21796
Libraries – @%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-50691
Homegroup – @%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-50688
Network – @%systemroot%\system32\NetworkExplorer.dll,-1

Also Check:

How to Disable “HomeGroup” Feature in Windows 7?

How to Disable “Libraries” Feature in Windows 7?

Published in: Windows 7

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Can someone tell me why when I start my computer I get two notepad messages both saying the following:

    [.shellclassInfo]
    LocalizedResourceName=@%systemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21787

    Why do I get this? How do I stop it?

  2. For Debbie’s problem, it seems like it could’ve been:

    Notepad Starts With “[.ShellClassInfo] LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\System32\Shell32.dll,-21787” When You Start Your Computer
    @ support.microsoft.com/kb/330132

    .. or maybe it’s really simple: social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/itprovistadesktopui/thread/5cb4a474-720e-42e3-8c54-623824143a50

  3. Under key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{323CA680-C24D-4099-B94D-446DD2D7249E} I can not find “LocalizedString”. Any suggestions?

  4. rrgggg. doh. I was looking one level too deep, in
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{323CA680-C24D-4099-B94D-446DD2D7249E}\ShellFolder. never mind.

  5. Is it possible to add custom items to navigation pane, like this:

    Favorites
    Libraries
    Computer
    Network
    Custom

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