How to Rename "Network" in Navigation Pane in Windows 7 and Windows 8

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to rename the Network folder in the Navigation Pane to any name that you like for all users in Windows 7 and Windows 8.

   Note

• You can only do this while logged into an administrator account.
• This will also rename the Network desktop icon as well.

EXAMPLE: Network in Navigation Pane
NOTE: This is the Network group default name (left screenshot below) and renamed (right screenshot below) in the Navigation Pane.

Here's How:

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, then press Enter.

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

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below: (see screenshot below step 4)

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}

4. In the left pane of regedit, right click on the {F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C} key, and click/tap on Permissions. (see screenshot below)

5. In Windows 7, do the following below in order below to take ownership and full control of this registry key, and go to step 7 below. (see example screenshot below)

A) Click on the Advanced button.
B) Click on the Owner tab.
C) Select your Administrator account.
D) Click on OK.
E) At the top, select the Administrators group.
F) At the bottom, check the Allow box to the right of Full Control.
G) Click on OK.

6. In Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, or Windows RT 8.1, you will need to take ownership (step 3 of Option Three at link) of the DefaultIcon key, set permissions (step 4 of Option Two at link) to "Allow" Administrators "Full Control" of the DefaultIcon key, and go to step 7 below.

7. In the right pane of regedit, double click/tap on LocalizedString to modify it, and do step 8 or 9 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)

8. To Rename "Network" in the Navigation Pane

A) Type in any name that your would like, click/tap on OK, and go to step 10 below. (see screenshot below)

9. To Restore the Default "Network" Name in the Navigation Pane
NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Copy and Paste the value below, click/tap on OK, and go to step 10 below. (see screenshot below)

@%systemroot%\system32\NetworkExplorer.dll,-1

10. Close regedit.

11. If Windows Explorer (Windows 7/8) or File Explorer (Windows 8.1) is open, then close and reopen them to see the change.

That's it,
Shawn

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• How to Add or Remove Network from the Windows 7 Navigation Pane
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