How to Show or Hide the Network Folder in Windows 11

What does the Network folder look like?

Here is an example of the Network folder in the File Explorer 📁 navigation pane:

How to Show or Hide the Network Folder Quickly

To show or hide the network folder Windows 11 quickly, you can use the File Explorer 📁 navigation pane without digging through complicated menus. Right-clicking the empty space in the left-hand folder list lets you toggle the visibility of network devices in seconds, making it the fastest method for everyday users who want to clean up their sidebar.

1. Open File Explorer 📁.
2. Look at the left side where your folders are listed.
3. Right-click on an empty space in that left pane (not on a folder).
4. You will see a menu with several options.
5. Click on Show Network to add the Network folder if it’s missing.
6. If the Network folder is there and you want to hide it, uncheck Show Network.

Show or Hide the Network Folder Using Folder Options

Managing the network folder Windows 11 visibility through Folder Options gives you a reliable alternative method when the sidebar shortcut is not working. You can access the main view settings in File Explorer to check or uncheck the navigation pane settings, letting you control whether other connected computers appear in your sidebar.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on the three dots ... at the top, then select Options.
3. In the "Folder Options" window, click the View tab.
4. Scroll down to the section called Navigation pane.
5. Check the box next to Show Network to show the folder.
6. Uncheck it to hide the folder.
7. Click OK to save your changes.

Show or Hide the Network Folder Using Windows Registry (Advanced)

Editing the Windows Registry provides an advanced way to control the network folder Windows 11 display settings if standard menu options fail. This method requires opening Registry Editor and modifying specific system keys, giving experienced users a direct system-level approach to showing or hiding network shortcuts.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R on your keyboard, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to this folder path:
   

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}

   
   
3. If you don’t see the {F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C} folder, right-click on CLSID, select New › Key, and name it {F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}.
4. Click on this new folder, then in the right pane, right-click and choose New › DWORD (32-bit) Value.
5. Name this new value System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree.
6. Double-click on it, and set the value data to:

   • 1 to show the Network folder.
   • 0 to hide the Network folder.
7. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
8. Restart your computer to see the changes.

Summary

• The Network folder in Windows 11 helps you find other devices on your network quickly.
• You can show or hide this folder easily by right-clicking in the File Explorer navigation pane or using Folder Options.
• Advanced users can also use the Windows Registry for more control.
• Hiding or showing this folder does not affect your computer’s network connection.

Controlling the network folder Windows 11 visibility helps you keep your file sidebar clean and organized without losing access to connected devices. Whether you use the quick right-click menu, Folder Options, or the Registry Editor, you can show or hide your network shortcuts in just a few clicks.