How to Show or Hide the Network Folder in Windows 11

If you use Windows 11, you might have noticed the Network folder on the left side of your File Explorer. This folder helps you quickly find other computers or devices connected to your network.

Windows 11 usually shows the Network folder, making it easy to browse your network. If you don’t use it or find it distracting, you can hide it. If it’s missing and you want it back, you can show it again too.

What Does the Network Folder Look Like?

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

Why Would You Want to Hide or Show This Folder?

You might want to hide the Network folder if you don’t use it often. This makes your File Explorer cleaner and less cluttered. You might want to show it if you regularly access other computers on your network or if you accidentally hid it.

The Easiest Way: Using the Navigation Pane

You can quickly show or hide the Network folder in Windows 11 right from the File Explorer’s left-hand list, also known as the navigation pane.

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. Do not click 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.

Using Folder Options

Windows 11’s Folder Options menu gives you another simple way to control if the Network folder shows up in File Explorer.

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.

Advanced Method: Using the Windows Registry

If you’re comfortable with more technical steps, you can use the Windows Registry to show or hide the Network folder in Windows 11.

⚠️ Admin Privileges Required

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

You can easily show or hide the Network folder in Windows 11 to see other devices on your network, using quick methods like the navigation pane, Folder Options, or the advanced Windows Registry.

• Right-click in the 📁 File Explorer navigation pane for the fastest method.
• Use Folder Options for a more detailed settings approach.
• Edit the Windows Registry if you need advanced control.

Hiding or showing this folder does not affect your computer’s network connection. Your computer still connects to your network normally. You are just choosing whether to see the folder or not in File Explorer.

Now you can customize your File Explorer to show only what you want to see!