How to Remove the Home Folder from Windows 11 File Explorer
Removing the Home folder from Windows 11 File Explorer hides recent files and quick-access directories from the left sidebar. The Home folder is a built-in view in File Explorer that displays your recent files and frequent folders automatically every time you open a window.
Clearing out this sidebar clutter requires making a quick edit inside the Registry Editor (the central database where Windows stores system settings). You can turn off the Home view completely by changing a single number value from 1 to 0 in your system registry.
Edit the Windows Registry to remove the Home folder. Navigate to the Explorer key, create a HubMode DWORD value, set it to 1, then delete the {f874310e-b6b7-47dc-bc84-b9e6b38f5903} key. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
What is File Explorer?
File Explorer is the built-in file manager app in Windows 11 that you use to browse, open, and organize documents, pictures, and other files on your computer. When you want to hide home folder windows 11 elements like quick access lists or recent files, you will use this interface to see your changes take effect after editing the system settings.
Customizing the File Explorer view remains possible for any user. 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
Follow these steps to hide the Home folder. Important: The Windows Registry Editor gets used here, so please proceed with caution and follow the instructions exactly.
Step 1Open the Registry Editor
First, open the Registry Editor:
- Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run box.
- Type
regeditand press Enter. - If a security prompt appears, click Yes. This step requires admin privileges.
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\ExplorerStep 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 6Restart Your Computer
Restart your PC to make sure the changes take effect.
After restarting, open File Explorer and the Home folder will no longer appear. Instead, it will open to This PC or the folder set as default.
How to Bring Back the Home Folder
Undoing the changes restores the Home folder whenever desired.
Step 1Open Registry Editor Again
Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter. This step requires administrator privileges.
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
Create the Home folder key by opening Registry Editor (a tool for changing advanced system settings) and adding a new subkey inside the NameSpace folder. This specific step tells Windows 11 to stop displaying the Home shortcut in your sidebar when you hide home folder windows 11 items. Make sure you follow these exact paths to avoid system errors.
Step 4Restart Your Computer
Restart your PC again. The Home folder returns to 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.
Summary steps to hide home folder windows 11 include editing your system registry to remove the shortcut and restarting your computer to apply the changes. You can always restore the default view later by reversing these registry edits if you change your mind. Always back up your registry before making changes to keep your system safe.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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