How to Show or Hide the Ubuntu Folder in Windows 11 File Explorer

What Does the Ubuntu Folder in File Explorer Look Like?

When Ubuntu is installed on Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), you see the Ubuntu folder like this in your File Explorer:

How to Show or Hide the Ubuntu Folder

To show or hide this folder, you will need to change a setting in the Windows Registry. The Registry is like a big settings database for Windows, so be careful when changing things there! Follow these easy steps:

Step 1Open the Windows Registry Editor

1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
3. [Admin privileges required] If a security box pops up, click Yes to allow it.

For more help opening Registry Editor, see this guide.

Step 2Find the Ubuntu Folder Setting

The setting to show or hide the Ubuntu folder in Windows 11 is found within the Registry Editor.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{B2B4A4D1-2754-4140-A2EB-9A76D9D7CDC6}

If you don’t see the {B2B4A4D1-2754-4140-A2EB-9A76D9D7CDC6} folder, do this:

1. 🖱️ Right-click on CLSID and choose New > Key.
2. Name the new key exactly {B2B4A4D1-2754-4140-A2EB-9A76D9D7CDC6}.

Step 3Create or Edit the Value to Show or Hide Ubuntu Folder

1. Click the {B2B4A4D1-2754-4140-A2EB-9A76D9D7CDC6} folder on the left.
2. On the right side, right-click in the empty space and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
3. Name this new value System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree.
4. Double-click on System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree.
5. In the box for Value data, do the following:

   • 1 = Show the Ubuntu folder
   • 0 = Hide the Ubuntu folder
6. Click OK to save.

To show or hide the Ubuntu folder, you’ll create or change a specific value called System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree in the Registry Editor.

Step 4🔄 Restart Your Computer

Close Registry Editor and 🔄 restart your PC. After restarting, open 📁 File Explorer to see your changes.

Summary