How to Remove Home Folder from Windows 11 File Explorer
Removing the Home folder from Windows 11 File Explorer hides quick-access links and recent files from the left sidebar to give you a cleaner view. File Explorer is the built-in tool you use to browse files and folders on your PC.
Recent Windows 11 updates put this Home shortcut at the top of the menu by default. Taking it off stops clutter and helps you get straight to your main drives when you open a window.
Edit the Windows Registry to remove the Home folder. Navigate to Computer\🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\
Hide the Home Folder in File Explorer
Why do this? Hiding the Home folder makes your File Explorer look cleaner and less crowded. 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’ key, hover over ‘New’, and select ‘DWORD (32-bit) Value’. 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 4Restart 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
Bringing back the Home folder later takes very little effort if changing preferences down the road. This guide shows how to make the Home folder reappear in the side menu of File Explorer. Follow these steps, and the Home folder will return for quick file access. 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
Modifying Windows 11 File Explorer by hiding or restoring the Home folder requires completing these configuration 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. Microsoft recommends Home as the default landing page in File Explorer, providing quick access to recent and favorited Office.com files.
Was this guide helpful?
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.
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!