Computer - Add or Remove from Navigation Pane

How to Add or Remove Computer from Navigation Pane in Windows 7


   Information
This will show you how to add or remove Computer in the Windows Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 7.
   Warning

  • You can only do this while logged into an administrator account.
  • This will affect all user account's on the computer.
  • This will also add or remove the default Computer desktop icon as well.

EXAMPLE: Computer in Navigation Pane
NOTE: This is Computer added (default) (left screenshot below) and removed (right screenshot below) from the Navigation Pane. Default.jpg

Removed.jpg



Here's How: 1. Open the Start Menu and type regedit.exe in the search line, then press enter.

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

3. In Regedit, go to the location below: (See screenshot below step 4) HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\ShellFolder
4. In the left pane of regedit, right click on the ShellFolder key and click on Permissions. (See screenshot below) Step-A.jpg
5. At the top, select the Administrators group. At the bottom, check the Allow box to the right of Full Control and click on OK. (See screenshot below) Step-B.jpg
7. In the right pane of regedit, right click on a empty space and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value. Type Attributes and press enter. (See screenshots below)
NOTE: If Attributes is already here, then you can skip this step and go to step 8 below instead. Step-C.jpg

Step-C2.jpg

8. In the right pane of regedit, right click on Attributes and click on Modify. (See screenshot below) Step-D.jpg
9. To Add Computer to the Navigation Pane
NOTE: You can also right click on Attributes and click on Delete and Yes to restore Computer to the Navigation Pane. A) Type in b084010c and click on OK. (see screenshot below) Step-E.jpg
B) Go to step 9.
10. To Remove Computer from the Navigation Pane A) Type in b094010c and click on OK. (see screenshot below) Step-F.jpg
11. If you have 64-bit Windows 7 Installed
   Note

To also add or remove Computer from the "Open" and "Save as" type windows as well in 64-bit Windows 7, you will also need to do this step.

If you have a 32-bit Windows 7 installed, then skip this step since doing steps 1 to 7/8 will add or remove Computer from the "Open" and "Save as" type windows as well.
A) In Regedit, go to the location below:
Code:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\ShellFolder
B) Repeat steps 4 to 9/10 above.
11. Close regedit.

12. Restart the computer to fully apply.
That's it,
Shawn




 
Last edited:
As usual, great tutorial.
Edit: I found that if I quit the Explorer process and restarted it, I did not need to reboot.

Edit 2: Shawn, I noticed that the registry value does more than just remove My Computer from the navigation pane. It also removes the icon from the desktop, even when the box is checked. I rebooted just to make sure the problem was not caused by quitting explorer and restarting it, with no success. I entered the enable value and My Computer magically reappeared.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Professional x64Intel i7 2600K OC'd @ 4620 MHz16GB GSkill Sniper 2133 Mhz (4x4GB)EVGA GeForce GTX 480 SuperClocked+
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
Intel i7 2600K OC'd @ 4620 MHz
Motherboard
Asus P8Z68-V Pro
Memory
16GB GSkill Sniper 2133 Mhz (4x4GB)
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GeForce GTX 480 SuperClocked+
Sound Card
Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
2x Acer S273HLbmii 27"
Screen Resolution
2 x 1920x1080
Hard Drives
64GB Crucial M4 SSD

Storage: Hitachi 1TB 5400RPM, Samsung 1.5TB 5400RPM
PSU
Corsair HW Series 750w (modular)
Case
Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced Blue Edition
Cooling
CM Hyper 212+ CPU cooler, 3x 230mm + 1x 140mm case fans
Keyboard
Logitech MK320 (wireless)
Mouse
Logitech MK320 (wireless)
Internet Speed
30 Mb/s : 2 Mb/s
Thank you Jonathan. True, but if you had other user accounts on the computer, it would be easier to restart. :)

EDIT:
Thank you again Jonathan. I added a warning about the desktop icon.
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

64-bit Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
PSU
Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
Internet Speed
2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
oh good, this means i can also remove the library from the nav pane, yes?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

windows 7 | VistaAMD Turion x24GB | 2GB
OS
windows 7 | Vista
CPU
AMD Turion x2
Memory
4GB | 2GB
Screen Resolution
above 1000 ^2
Hard Drives
6?... about 4TB, all full
Keyboard
external (mac standard wired) | built-in
Mouse
Mighty Mouse | Touch Pad
Internet Speed
DSL 3mbps
Other Info
webcam
microphone
keypad
dvd-rw lightscribe
extended battery
Personal:: Files: 21,953+ Folders: 1829+

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

64-bit Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
PSU
Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
Internet Speed
2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I just tried the tutorial and it doesnt work for me. I am stuck at Step 5. It says "Unable to save permission change...." and I AM logged in as administrator. Windows 64bit pro.
I used THIS method to remove ather shortcuts, now i only need to remove computer.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win7 Pro 64bit RTME85004GBGigabyte ATI HD4870
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Mikrotestas
OS
Win7 Pro 64bit RTM
CPU
E8500
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte ATI HD4870
Sound Card
MOBO
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung T220
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
Hard Drives
1x450GB
PSU
Sonata III
Case
Sonata III
Cooling
Default
Keyboard
Chicony
Mouse
Optical
Internet Speed
100mbit
Hello Kancaras,

It sounds like you may need to use step 3 of Option Two in METHOD TWO of the tutorial below to take ownership of the ShellFolder registry key first, then try setting the permissions for it. :)

Take Ownership of file - Vista Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

64-bit Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
PSU
Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
Internet Speed
2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Is this the only method to also hide the Computer icon under the Desktop icon in file open/save dialogs? If so then I'd rather not go with it because then it'll also hide all the drive letters in the navigation pane, which I need :(.

Edit: attached image
 

Attachments

  • File Open dialogue.png
    File Open dialogue.png
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My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1Intel Core i3-350M @ 2.27GHz8GB DDR3Intel HD Graphics
Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
ASUS K52F-A1
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
CPU
Intel Core i3-350M @ 2.27GHz
Motherboard
ASUS K52F
Memory
8GB DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics
Sound Card
Conexant SmartAudio HD
Monitor(s) Displays
Notebook display (disabled) and BenQ EW2420 24" (active)
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 EVO SSD 120GB
Keyboard
Logitech K120
Mouse
Dell Laser MOCZUL
Antivirus
none
Browser
Opera portable
Other Info
not yet revealed
Hello Soyabeaner,

I'm afraid so. :(
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

64-bit Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
PSU
Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
Internet Speed
2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Just discovered ...
Remove "Computer" from Navigation Pane ... took immediate affect without rebooting
Add "Computer" to Navigation Pane ... must be rebooted to take affect

Win7 x32-bit
As Administrator
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

XP Pro (x86) | 7 HP (x86) & (x64) | 7 Pro (x64)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba, Lenovo (laptops) + 4 rigs
OS
XP Pro (x86) | 7 HP (x86) & (x64) | 7 Pro (x64)
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