Windows 7: Library - Hide or Show in Navigation Pane

   Information

This will show you how to show or hide a Library from being displayed under Libraries in the Navigation Pane of Windows 7.

If hidden, the library will not be displayed in the navigation pane, but will still be displayed in the main Libraries window.

By default, the Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos libraries are displayed in the Navigation Pane.

   Note

Libraries let you access and arrange items from one or more folders quickly without moving them from their original location. Libraries themselves don't store your files or folders. Instead, they point to different locations on a hard disk or external drive attached to your computer. This gives you easy access to a category of files no matter where they are stored. For instance, if you have music files on your hard disk and on an external drive, you can access all of your music files from within the "Music" library.


For more information about Windows 7 Libraries see:

• Windows 7 Libraries: Frequently Asked Questions
• Understanding Windows 7 Libraries - Windows 7 for Developers - The Windows Blog
• Inside Windows 7:Introducing Libraries

   Tip

The full path to the hidden Libraries folder is below.

C:\Users\(User-Name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries

OR

%UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries

OPTION ONE

Through the Library Context Menu

1. Open Windows Explorer.

2. To Hide a Library in the Navigation Pane

A) Right click on a library (ex: Documents) in either the navigation pane or main Libraries window, and click on Don't show in Navigation Pane. (see screenshot below)

B) The library (ex: Documents) will now be hidden and not displayed in the Navigation Pane anymore. (see screenshot below)

3. To Show a Library in the Navigation Pane

A) Right click on a library (ex: Documents) in the main Libraries window that has been hidden, and click on Show in Navigation Pane. (see screenshot below)

B) The library (ex: Documents) will now be displayed in the Navigation Pane again. (see screenshot below)

OPTION TWO

Through the Library Properties Page

1. Open Windows Explorer.

2. In Right click on a Library, and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You can right click on the library from either the Navigation Pane or Libraries window location.

4. To Hide a Library from the Navigation Pane

A) Right click on a library (ex: Documents) in either the navigation pane or main Libraries window, and click on Properties.

B) Uncheck the Shown in Navigation Pane box. (see screenshot below step 6)
NOTE: If this option is grayed out, then you will need to uncheck Show all folders from either in Folder Options or the navigation pane (right click) first.

C) Go to step 6.

5. To Show a Library to the Navigation Pane

A) Right click on a library (ex: Documents) in the main Libraries window, and click on Properties.

B) Check the Shown in Navigation Pane box. (see screenshot below step 6)
NOTE: If this option is grayed out, then you will need to uncheck Show all folders from either in Folder Options or the navigation pane (right click) first.

6. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)