Add or Remove "Favorites" Links in Navigation Pane of Windows 7 and Windows 8

   Information
This will show you different ways on how to add or remove links (shortcuts) of a file, folder, library, drive, and saved search in your Favorites section in the navigation pane of Windows 7 and Windows 8.

By default Favorites contains links to the Desktop, Downloads, and Recent Places.

Favorites are stored in the C:\Users\(user-name)\Links folder for each separate user account.


EXAMPLE: Default Favorites
Favorites - Links - Add or Remove in Navigation Pane-favorites.jpg



OPTION ONE

To Add Links to Favorites in the Navigation Pane


NOTE: Each step # is a different way to add a link (shortcut) to your Favorites.
1. Using "Favorites" Context Menu
A) In Windows Explorer, select and highlight the folder, drive, library, or saved search that you want to add.

B) In the navigation pane, right click on Favorites, and click on Add current location to Favorites. (see screenshot below)
Favorites - Links - Add or Remove in Navigation Pane-add-1.jpg
OR

2. To Drag and Drop Items into Favorites
A) In Windows Explorer, drag the folder, drive, library, or saved search that you want to add over Favortes in the navigation pane until you see Create link in Favorites under it, then drop (release) the dragged item to add it into Favorites. (see screenshot below)
Favorites - Links - Add or Remove in Navigation Pane-add-2.jpg
OR

3. From the "Links" User Folder Location
A) In Windows Explorer, open your C:\Users\(user-name)\Links folder.

B) You can now either copy or create a shortcut of any file, folder, drive, library, or saved search that you want to add. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Only a shortcut added here will display under Favorites in the navigation pane.
Favorites - Links - Add or Remove in Navigation Pane-add-3.jpg



OPTION TWO

To Remove Links from Favorites in the Navigation Pane


NOTE: Each step # is a different way to remove a link (shortcut) from Favorites.
1. From Under or In Favorites in the Navigation Pane
A) Right click on the link that you want to remove, and click on Remove. (see screenshots below)
Favorites - Links - Add or Remove in Navigation Pane-remove-1a.jpg

Favorites - Links - Add or Remove in Navigation Pane-remove-1b.jpg
OR


2. From the "Links" User Folder Location
A) In Windows Explorer, open your C:\Users\(user-name)\Links folder.

B) Right click on the link that you want to remove, and click on Delete. (see screenshot below)
Favorites - Links - Add or Remove in Navigation Pane-remove-2.jpg
That's it,
Shawn