How to Remove the Home Folder from Windows 11 File Explorer

What is File Explorer?

What is File Explorer? It’s the program on your Windows computer that lets you see, open, and organize all your files and folders. Think of it as your main tool for navigating your computer’s storage. In Windows 11, File Explorer’s left-hand navigation pane often displays folders like Home, Gallery, and OneDrive.

Users can customize the File Explorer view. This guide explains how to hide or remove the "Home" folder, which displays frequently used files and folders for quick access.

How to Hide the Home Folder in File Explorer

Step 1Open the Registry Editor

First, open the Registry Editor:

• Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run box.
• Type regedit and press Enter.
• If a security prompt appears, click Yes. This step requires admin privileges.

Here is a helpful guide if you want more details: How to Open Windows Registry.

Step 2Find the Explorer Folder

In Registry Editor, use the left panel to go to this folder path:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

Step 3Create a New Value

• 🖱️ Right-click on Explorer.
• Choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
• Name the new value HubMode.

Step 4Change the Value

• Double-click on HubMode.
• Change the Value data to 1.
• Click OK.

Step 5Delete the Home Folder Key

Next, navigate to this folder path:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace

• Find the folder named {f874310e-b6b7-47dc-bc84-b9e6b38f5903}.
• Right-click it and select Delete.
• Confirm the deletion if asked.

Step 6🔄 Restart Your Computer

To make sure the changes take effect, 🔄 restart your PC.

After restarting, open 📁 File Explorer and you will no longer see the Home folder. Instead, it will open to This PC or the folder you set as default.

How to Bring Back the Home Folder

If you want the Home folder back, you can undo the changes.

Step 1Open Registry Editor Again

Step 2Delete the HubMode Value

• Go to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer.
• Right-click HubMode and select Delete.
• Confirm deletion.

Step 3Create the Home Folder Key

• Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace.
• 🖱️ Right-click on NameSpace folder, then choose New > Key.
• Name the new key {f874310e-b6b7-47dc-bc84-b9e6b38f5903}.
• Click on the new key.
• Double-click the (Default) value on the right side.
• Set its value data to CLSID_MSGraphHomeFolder.
• Click OK.

Step 4🔄 Restart Your Computer

🔄 Restart your PC again. The Home folder will be back in 📁 File Explorer.

Summary

• Hide Home Folder: Add and change a value in the Registry, then delete a key. This requires admin privileges.
• Restore Home Folder: Remove the value, then add the deleted key back with the right name and data. This requires admin privileges.
• Restart Needed: Always 🔄 restart your computer after making these changes.
• Be Careful: Editing the Registry can cause problems if done incorrectly. Follow instructions carefully and consider backing up your Registry first.

Hiding the Home folder requires changing a Registry value and deleting a key, which needs admin rights. Restoring it means removing the value and re-adding the key with the correct name and data, also needing admin rights. Always 🔄 restart your PC after making these changes.