Windows 7: Drives - Hide or Show Empty Drives in Computer Folder

   Information

This will show you how to have removable drives (ex: memory card readers) that are empty to show or hide in the Windows 7 Computer folder window.

By default, these are hidden in Windows 7.

OPTION ONE

To Hide or Show Empty Drives using Folder Options

1. Open Folder Options, and click on the View tab. (See screenshot below)

2. To Show Empty Removable Drives

A) Uncheck the Hide empty drives in the Computer folder box, and click on OK. (See screenshot above)

3. To Hide Empty Removable Drives

A) Select (dot) Don't Show hidden files, folders, and drives.

B) Check the Hide empty drives in the Computer folder box, and click on OK. (See screenshot above)

OPTION TWO

To Hide or Show Empty Drives using a REG File Download

1. To Show Empty Removable Drives

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Show_empty_drives_in_the_Computer_folder.reg

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Hide Empty Removable Drives
NOTE: This also sets to Don't Show hidden files, folders, and drives.

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Hide_empty_drives_in_the_Computer_folder.reg

3. Save the .reg file to the desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.

7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file on the desktop if you like.

OPTION THREE

To Hide or Show Empty Drives Manually in Registry Editor

1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search line and press enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

Code:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

4. To Show Empty Removable Drives

A) In the right pane of Advanced, right click on HideDrivesWithNoMedia, and click on Modify. (see screenshot above)

B) Type 1 and click on OK. (see screenshot below)

C) Go to step 6.

5. To Hide Empty Removable Drives
NOTE: This also sets to Don't Show hidden files, folders, and drives.

A) In the right pane of Advanced, right click on HideDrivesWithNoMedia, and click on Modify. (see screenshot below step 3)

B) Type 0 and click on OK. (see screenshot below step 4B)

C) In the right pane of Advanced, right click on Hidden and click on Modify. (see screenshot below step 3)

D) Type 0 and click on OK.

6. Close regedit.

7. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.