How to Remove the Home Folder from Windows 11 File Explorer
You can remove the Home folder from Windows 11 File Explorer by editing the Windows Registry.
The Home folder, also known as “Home” or “This PC” in some contexts, displays your personal files and recent items by default in the File Explorer navigation pane. Many users prefer to remove it for a cleaner interface.
This modification involves changing a specific registry key. For instance, the System.IsPinnedToNamespaceTree DWORD value under the Home folder’s CLSID (Class Identifier, which is a unique identifier for an object or file) controls its visibility.
By following these steps, you can personalize your File Explorer view and remove the Home folder if it clutters your navigation.
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 Windows tool that lets you manage all your files and folders, like finding, copying, or deleting them, and it shows common folders like Home in its sidebar.
In Windows 11, File Explorer shows you folders like Home, Gallery, and OneDrive on the left side navigation pane.
You can customize what you see there. This guide focuses on hiding or removing the Home folder.
How to Hide the Home Folder in File Explorer
Follow these steps to hide the Home folder. Important: We will use the Windows Registry Editor, so please be careful 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.
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\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 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
Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter. If a security prompt pops up, click Yes. This step requires admin 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
To hide the Home folder in Windows 11, you’ll need to create a specific registry key by going to Computer\🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace.- 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.
To hide the Home folder in Windows 11, you’ll make registry changes and restart your PC, and to bring it back, you’ll reverse those steps, remembering to restart again.
How to hide folders in 🪟 Windows 11 Home?
You can also select the folder you want to hide. Press Alt + Enter to open the folder’s Properties window. Under the General tab, find the Attributes section. Check the box next to Hidden.
How to hide home in settings 🪟 Windows 11?
Enable that and then what you want to do. Now is put in this text here hide colon home. Let’s apply that okay now let’s open the settings app again. All right so now you can see home is gone.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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