Library - Hide or Show in Navigation Pane

Hide or Show a Library in Navigation Pane in Windows 7 and Windows 8

   Information
This will show you how to show or hide a Library from being displayed under Libraries in the Navigation Pane of Windows 7 and Windows 8.

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:
   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

   Warning
If you have "Show all folders" checked, then the Show in Navigation Pane option in this tutorial will be grayed out.

Navigation Pane "Show all folders" - Turn On or Off

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/853-navigation-pane-show-all-folders.html


EXAMPLE: Libraries in the Navigation Pane
Libraries.jpg



OPTION ONE

Through the Library Context Menu


1. Open Windows Explorer (Windows 7) or File Explorer (Windows 8).

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






OPTION TWO

Through the Library Properties Page


1. Open Windows Explorer (Windows 7) or File Explorer (Windows 8).

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.
Pinned.jpg
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.
Unpinned.jpg
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)
Properties.jpg
That's it,
Shawn






Related Tutorials

 
Last edited:
Just a short addition; if you have Show all folders enabled in the Windows Explorer Tools -> Folder options settings, then the Library properties Show in Navigation Pane is automatically checked and disabled (greyed out).

Uncheck Show all folders in the Explorer Folder options so that the property is enabled, allowing you to uncheck it. This also affects the appearance (or not) of the rightclick context menu option that does the same thing.

701d1238493452-library-hide-show-navigation-pane-properties.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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