Windows 7: Editing the Navigation pane in Explorer

CowPieSoup · 03 Nov 2009

The Navigation Pane in explorer is rather cluttered. I want to remove the "Libraries," "Homegroup," and "Network" entries, but I am not sure how. Preferably without registry editing, but its okay if thats what it entails.

Lee · 03 Nov 2009

What is your reason for wanting them gone? Each has a unique set of uses. The "Libraries" is an excellent tool for viewing and organizing pictures and music files.

Have you attempted to remove them?

CowPieSoup · 04 Nov 2009

I have everything organized already. Separate drives and what-not. They also clutter up explorer (in my opinion) and make me scroll when looking for things sometimes.
I haven't tried anything beyond right clicking and seeing no "Remove from this list" option. I've also looked in Organize > Layout. But nothing.

Disk4mat · 04 Nov 2009

Its not possible without reg editing. But here is a page with the steps to hide the root Library (with subs) from the navigation pane.

How to Remove and Hide “Libraries” Group from Navigation Pane of Windows 7 Explorer My Digital Life

Home Group Removal
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/0...ws-7-explorer/

Guy Scharf · 04 Nov 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by CowPieSoup

I have everything organized already. Separate drives and what-not. They also clutter up explorer (in my opinion) and make me scroll when looking for things sometimes.

fwiw, removing Libraries was my initial reaction on moving from XP to Win 7 since I also have everything organized on other drives. I decided instead to experiment with using Libraries and have begun to find them extremely useful. For example, I have put F:\Audio and a few other locations with audio files in the Music library. The Documents library now has a pointer to where I store documents on my E: drive. It's clearly faster to navigate to some directories using Libraries than by going through the list of drives.

Windows 7: Editing the Navigation pane in Explorer

Editing the Navigation pane in Explorer problems?