How to Remove User Folders from File Explorer in Windows 10 and 11

If you want to get rid of 6 extra user folders (Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, Videos) from File Explorer in Windows 10 and Windows 11, this article will help you.

NOTE: This tutorial was initially posted for Windows 10 operating system but the same method also works in latest Windows 11 operating system. We have updated the article to include new information and screenshots applicable to Windows 10 and Windows 11.

When Windows 8.1 operating system was released, Microsoft renamed the good ol’ Windows Explorer or My Computer to “This PC“. To enhance “This PC” functionality and UI, Microsoft also added 6 extra user folders to File Explorer window which were Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures and Videos.

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Many people found these extra folders quite useless, annoying and wasting a good amount of space in “This PC” window. That’s why we posted an exclusive tutorial to remove or hide these 6 extra folders from “This PC” window as well as tweaking and customizing File Explorer in Windows 8.1. You can take a look at the tutorial at following link:

[Tips] Tweak and Customize Windows 8.1 Explorer “This PC”

Now let’s talk about Windows 10 and Windows 11 File Explorer!

6 Extra User Folders Showing in File Explorer in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems also come with the same feature i.e. 6 extra user folders in File Explorer.

Following screenshot shows 6 user folders showing at the top of File Explorer in Windows 11 operating system:

Extra_User_Folders_Windows_11_File_Explorer.png

Unfortunately the old trick to get rid of these 6 folders in Windows 8.1 no longer works in Windows 10 and 11. It happens because Microsoft changed the Registry keys and GUIDs in Windows 10 and 11, that’s why the old Registry tweak to remove those 6 user folders is no longer applicable to Windows 10 and Windows 11.

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I investigated and looked in Registry Editor and finally found a way to remove those 6 folders from File Explorer. Though it took a bit time in finding those new Registry keys.

Now in Windows 10 and Windows 11, Microsoft is using a new string “ThisPCPolicy” in Registry to show or hide items in “This PC” window. If the string value is set to “Show“, that particular item is shown in “This PC” window and if the string value is set to “Hide“, that item is not shown i.e. hidden in “This PC” window.

So we just need to change the value of “ThisPCPolicy” string to “Hide” for all 6 user folders GUID in Registry Editor and the folders will immediately disappear from File Explorer in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

If you also want to remove these extra and annoying user folders from Windows 10 and Windows 11 File Explorer, following methods will help you.

Automatically Remove User Folders from File Explorer in Windows 10 and 11

This is the fastest and easiest way to remove extra user folders from File Explorer in Windows 10 and Windows 11 automatically.

If you don’t want to modify Registry keys manually, we have created a ready-made Registry script file for you to apply the required Registry tweak automatically.

Just download following ZIP file, extract it using 7-Zip or any other file archive software and you’ll get 2 .REG files to hide and show these extra user folders in Windows 10 and Windows 11 File Explorer window:

Run the registry script file to remove user folders. It’ll ask for confirmation, accept it.

Now open File Explorer window and the extra 6 folders will disappear from File Explorer as shown in following screenshot:

Extra_User_Folders_Removed_Windows_11_File_Explorer.png

The ZIP file also contains UNDO file to restore default user folders in File Explorer window again.

Manually Remove Extra User Folders from File Explorer in Windows 10 and 11

If you are an advanced user and want to modify Registry manually, here are the required steps which are performed automatically by the above mentioned Registry script:

1. Press WIN+R keys together to open RUN dialog box. You can also open it from WIN+X menu. Now type regedit in RUN dialog box and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

2. Now we’ll need to change the value of “ThisPCPolicy” string to Hide for GUID of each user folder in Registry.

Go to following keys one by one in Registry Editor:

For Pictures folder:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{0ddd015d-b06c-45d5-8c4c-f59713854639}\PropertyBag

For Videos folder:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{35286a68-3c57-41a1-bbb1-0eae73d76c95}\PropertyBag

For Downloads folder:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{7d83ee9b-2244-4e70-b1f5-5393042af1e4}\PropertyBag

For Music folder:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{a0c69a99-21c8-4671-8703-7934162fcf1d}\PropertyBag

For Desktop folder:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}\PropertyBag

For Documents folder:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756}\PropertyBag

In right-side pane, change value of “ThisPCPolicy” string to Hide in each key.

Removing_Extra_User_Folders_Windows_11_File_Explorer_Using_Registry.png

IMPORTANT NOTE:

All above mentioned keys contain “ThisPCPolicy” string except “{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}” key which is responsible to show Desktop folder in File Explorer. So you’ll need to manually create new string “ThisPCPolicy” in right-side pane and set its value to Hide for this key.

3. That’s it. Now open File Explorer window and you’ll no longer see those extra 6 folders.

4. Some 3rd party 32-bit programs may still show these unnecessary 6 user folders in “Browse” dialog box such as Save, Save as or Open file as shown in following screenshot:

Extra_User_Folders_Windows_11_Browse_Dialog_Box.png

To remove these 6 folders from Browse window as well, you’ll also need to set “ThisPCPolicy” string to Hide for following keys in Registry:

For Pictures folder in Browse window:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{0ddd015d-b06c-45d5-8c4c-f59713854639}\PropertyBag

For Videos folder in Browse window:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{35286a68-3c57-41a1-bbb1-0eae73d76c95}\PropertyBag

For Downloads folder in Browse window:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{7d83ee9b-2244-4e70-b1f5-5393042af1e4}\PropertyBag

For Music folder in Browse window:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{a0c69a99-21c8-4671-8703-7934162fcf1d}\PropertyBag

For Desktop folder in Browse window:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}\PropertyBag

For Documents folder in Browse window:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756}\PropertyBag

Removing_Extra_User_Folders_Windows_11_Browse_Dialog_Box_Using_Registry.png

PS: There is another easier way to change value of “ThisPCPolicy” string to Hide for all keys. Open Registry Editor, press Ctrl+F keys together to launch Find dialog box. Now type ThisPCPolicy and press Enter key. It’ll go to the first key which contains this string. Now just change value of “ThisPCPolicy” string to Hide and then press F3 key to go to the next key containing the string. Again change value of the string to Hide for that key and press F3 key. Repeat these steps until you get “Finished searching through the registry” message. That’s it, you are done.

BONUS TIP: Enable Customization of Desktop Folder in File Explorer

If you noticed in the second screenshot, a DWORD “NoCustomize” is set to 1 for Desktop folder. This DWORD shows or hides “Customize This Folder” option in context menu of that particular folder. In other words, when you right-click in empty area of Desktop folder, you’ll not get “Customize This Folder” option as it’s set to hidden using “NoCustomize” DWORD in Registry. You can set its value to 0 and the option “Customize This Folder” will be enabled in Desktop folder context menu. You can use this tip to show or hide the option for other folders as well.

Also Check:

[Windows 10 Tip] Remove Icons from Navigation Pane of This PC

[Tip] Restore Windows 10 Classic Taskbar in Windows 11 along with Classic Start Menu

[Tip] Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon in Windows 11

[Tip] Restore Full Classic Context Menu in Windows 11

Published in: Windows 10, Windows 11

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. Thank you. Please make more attention on this page towards the “UPDATE: Registry script updated to also remove the new “3D Objects” folder from This PC in newer Windows 10 versions.”

    So people can get their info regarding 3D Objects on this website instead of failing to notice that you do in fact have the tutorial for removing 3D Objects, then going elsewhere (google) to look how to remove 3D Objects.

    Good, clear straightforward turorials. Keep up the good work. I’m following on Google+.

    Thanks.

  2. hi, build 16299.309 here.
    the script does not help.

    it removed my (german) ‘Musik’ folder, but now I have a ‘My Music’ instead…
    Pictures, Documents and Videos are still there…

  3. ^^ They might come back after installing Windows updates. Just run the script again and the folders will disappear.

  4. At last a step by step guide to solve a complicated problem. You should be working for microsoft so i would not waste another week reading a thesis on registry adjustments that would tell me nothing. I am doing an online course and i spend more time studying how to use their annoying changes than doing my own work. thanks guys. where do i sign. aaahh.

  5. This all worked previously… and then came a recent Win 10 update/ build. I think I have some version or build of the Fall Creator Update on the Asus UX303 UB, an otherwise superb ultraportable PC that is giving problems. Funny thing is a couple weeks ago my Dell 3240 AIO Win 10 desktop PC (also a great PC) must have updated but I was able to fix/ get rid of those folders.

    As of mid-June 2018, however, I’m stuck on the Asus.
    In fact, I have not yet been able to fix the “shortcut to” prefix on new shortcuts, something I have successfully gotten rid of on literally dozens of computers the past 15-20 years.

  6. Many thanks for the script! Worked perfectly and I’m loving the de-cluttering of File Explorer. I truly wish Microsoft would stop forcing all this unwanted c**p on us.

  7. HI
    Everything works OK but in your local account. And how to do it on an Active Directory user because it still displays ???
    POLAND

  8. VG,

    Great post – helped me massively to stop our Citrix user base saving into the default folders. Spent a good few hours trying to get this working…FYI to anyone who reads the comments; this guy has got it nailed down.

    Extra brownie points for posting in the update for the Browse as well, had half the puzzle solved when I stumbled across this and reminded me about the WOW6432Node.

    All in all, pukka.

    Thanks

    J

  9. When I click on Home tab, then the “move to” or “copy to” option, the extra folders show up along with “choose location” instead of going directly to “choose location”. Would one of the two changes you suggested make it possible for the function to directly to “choose location” without having to click on it?

  10. ^^ Right-click on Choose Location option and select Add to Quick Access toolbar. It’ll add the direct shortcut to quick access toolbar.

  11. I want to thank you! I thought I had Win Updates totally blocked, but now I have the newest incarnation which I detest even more than the original version of 10 I had 3 years ago. I experienced the welcome screen and was locked out. Windows didn’t accept my password. I had to take my computer for service and they determined that Windows was corrupted. They put in a new drive with the latest Windows. I had everything including all my customizations backed up, but the Quick Access thing got to me. So, I used your registry download, restarted, held my breath and GONE!

  12. You may want to use the little script below, to get current configuration and discover which classes have “ThisPolicy”:

    $strHKRoot = “HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions”;
    foreach ($strCLSID in $(Get-ChildItem $strHKRoot -Name)) {
    $strHKWork = “$strHKRoot\$strCLSID”;
    $strName = $(Get-ItemProperty $strHKWork Name -ea 0).Name;
    $strShow = $(Get-ItemProperty “$strHKWork\PropertyBag” ThisPCPolicy -ea 0).ThisPCPolicy;
    if ($strName -and $strShow)
    { “$($strCLSID): $($strName) ($strShow)”; }
    }

    In my case, it produced the following results:
    {0ddd015d-b06c-45d5-8c4c-f59713854639}: Local Pictures (Show)
    {18989B1D-99B5-455B-841C-AB7C74E4DDFC}: My Video (Hide)
    {33E28130-4E1E-4676-835A-98395C3BC3BB}: My Pictures (Hide)
    {35286a68-3c57-41a1-bbb1-0eae73d76c95}: Local Videos (Show)
    {374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}: Downloads (Hide)
    {4BD8D571-6D19-48D3-BE97-422220080E43}: My Music (Hide)
    {7d83ee9b-2244-4e70-b1f5-5393042af1e4}: Local Downloads (Show)
    {a0c69a99-21c8-4671-8703-7934162fcf1d}: Local Music (Show)
    {f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756}: Local Documents (Show)
    {FDD39AD0-238F-46AF-ADB4-6C85480369C7}: Personal (Hide)

    Regards

  13. This is all well and good for the folder but how do i remove those **** folders from the taskbar toolbar” This PC” and how to rename it as “Computer”??

  14. I have folder “Other (3)” and “Q-Z (317)”. Where can I get rid of those without losing the contents of each?

  15. As of June 2020 this is NOT working. I have gone in and verified that the key is set to “HIDE” in the registry, yet it persists in displaying the folders in Quick Access. I use Quick Access for things I actually need quick access to, not for “music” or “videos” on my WORK computer.

    I get them being there by default, but MS refusing to let us remove them is insulting.

  16. Nevermind, US3R error.

    That got them off of THIS PC. Now they come off of Quick Access no problem. Problem solved.

  17. Cheers, def on the right track here but the keys were different on my machine (2004 19041.388)

    {0ddd015d-b06c-45d5-8c4c-f59713854639} – Local Pictures
    {18989B1D-99B5-455B-841C-AB7C74E4DDFC} – Videos
    {31C0DD25-9439-4F12-BF41-7FF4EDA38722} – 3D Objects (Must create propertybag and restart explorer.exe after)
    {33E28130-4E1E-4676-835A-98395C3BC3BB} – Pictures
    {35286a68-3c57-41a1-bbb1-0eae73d76c95} – Local Videos
    {374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B} – Downloads
    {4BD8D571-6D19-48D3-BE97-422220080E43} – Music
    {7d83ee9b-2244-4e70-b1f5-5393042af1e4} – Local Downloads
    {a0c69a99-21c8-4671-8703-7934162fcf1d} – Local Music
    {B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641} – Desktop
    {f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756} – Local Documents
    {FDD39AD0-238F-46AF-ADB4-6C85480369C7} – Documents (AKA “Personal”)

  18. Thanks VG.
    I just got a new laptop with Win 11 and I ran the reg file to remove the personal folder but it doesn’t seem to work. I restarted several times and the folder is still there …
    Any ideas?

  19. it works for me, but now the folders are no longer visible in my user folder

    for example, changing the ThisPCPolicy for Music to Hide means it no longer shows up on This PC (as desired) but it also doesn’t show up in C:\Users\myusername\

    the folder still exists as C:\Users\myusername\Music, but it doesn’t appear

  20. Hi!

    Any idea what will remove this (i.imgur.com/4Mujkou.jpeg) in W11 Education build 22624.1537 – the highlighted items?

    They never showed prior to installing the W11 Moment 1 (22621). Now I am on Moment 3 (the above build number). Thanks for all the tricks you share – I always use your folder hide hack on every new install or after it is broken with a big update.

  21. Thank you, thee ONLY site with a solution on a google search’s front page. After the current windows update (11/10/2023) erased all my personalization, I needed a fix for this. Sick of them, even my background color was changed, sad!

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