How to Hide or Show Empty Drives in Windows 7 and Windows 8
InformationThis tutorial will show you how to have empty removable drives to show or hide in the Computer or This PC folder in Windows 7 and Windows 8.
TipIf you want an empty CD/DVD drive to show in the navigation pane, you'll need to set show empty drives below, and set to show all folders in the navigation pane.
OPTION ONETo Hide or Show Empty Drives using Folder Options
1. Open Folder Options in Windows 7 or Windows 8, and click/tap 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/tap on OK. (See screenshot above)3. To Hide Empty Removable Drives
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Select (dot) Don't Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
B) Check the Hide empty drives in the Computer folder box, and click/tap on OK. (See screenshot above)
OPTION TWOTo Hide or Show Empty Drives using a REG File Download
1. To Show Empty Removable Drives
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.2. To Hide Empty Removable Drives
B) Go to step 3.
NOTE: This also sets to Don't Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.3. Save the .reg file to your desktop.
Hide_empty_drives_in_the_Computer_folder.reg
4. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
5. Click on Run, Yes (UAC), 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 THREETo Hide or Show Empty Drives Manually in Registry Editor
1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search line and press enter.That's it,
2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.
3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
4. To Show Empty Removable DrivesCode:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
A) In the right pane of Advanced, double click/tap on HideDrivesWithNoMedia to modify it. (see screenshot above)5. To Hide Empty Removable Drives
B) Type 0 and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 5B)
C) Go to step 6.
NOTE: This also sets to Don't Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
A) In the right pane of Advanced, double click/tap on HideDrivesWithNoMedia to modify it. (see screenshot below step 3)6. Close regedit.
B) Type 1 and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
C) Go to step 6.
7. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.
Shawn
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