How to Remove Home Folder from Windows 11 File Explorer
Removing the Home folder from Windows 11 File Explorer gives you a tidier view of your files.
File Explorer is the program you use to find and manage all your files and folders on your PC. In Windows 11, it shows a “Home” folder in the left-hand menu by default.
This Home folder, added in recent Windows 11 updates, helps you get to files you use often. But if you find it just makes things look cluttered, you can hide it.
Edit the Windows Registry to remove the Home folder. Navigate to Computer\🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer, create a DWORD value named HubMode and set its data to 1, then delete the {f874310e-b6b7-47dc-bc84-b9e6b38f5903} key in the NameSpace folder. Restart your computer for changes to take effect.
Hide the Home Folder in File Explorer
Why do this? Hiding the Home folder can make your File Explorer look cleaner and less cluttered. What happens when done? The Home folder will no longer appear in your File Explorer side menu.Step 1Open the Registry Editor
Open the Windows Registry and go to the following folder path:Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
⚠️ Admin required: Administrator privileges are required to change these settings.
Step 2Create a New DWORD Value
Right-click the ‘Explorer’ folder, then choose ‘New’ and ‘DWORD (32-bit) Value’ (a type of data used in the Windows Registry). Name the new file ‘HubMode’. Double-click ‘HubMode’. Change the value from 0 to 1, then click OK.
Step 3Delete the Home Folder Key
Next, navigate to this folder path:Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Enter\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace
Right-click the key named ‘{f874310e-b6b7-47dc-bc84-b9e6b38f5903}’ and choose Delete.
Step 4 Restart Your Computer
A quick restart might be needed to finalize these changes. After restarting, File Explorer will open to “This PC” or your chosen default folder instead of Home.Restore the Home Folder
Want to bring back the Home folder in Windows 11 File Explorer? Restoring it is quite straightforward. This guide shows you how to make the Home folder reappear in the side menu of File Explorer. Follow these steps, and your Home folder will reappear, ready for you to find. What happens when done? The Home folder will reappear in your File Explorer side menu.- Delete the HubMode Value: Right-click the
HubModeentry you created earlier and select Delete. - Create the NameSpace Key: Go to the
NameSpacefolder path. Right-click it, select New, and click Key. - Name the Key: Name the new key
{f874310e-b6b7-47dc-bc84-b9e6b38f5903}and press Enter. - Set the Value: Right-click the Default string inside that new key, change the value to
CLSID_MSGraphHomeFolder, and click OK.
Summary
Changing your Windows 11 File Explorer by hiding or bringing back the Home folder is achievable through these steps.What is the home folder on 🪟 Windows 11?
By default, File Explorer opens to ‘Quick access,’ which was renamed to ‘File Explorer Home’ in Windows 11, Version 22H2. We recommend Home as your landing page in File Explorer, where you can: Access your most recent and favorited Office.com files quickly.
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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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