How to Add or Remove Folders under This PC in Windows 11 File Explorer

Before making any registry changes, create a restore point to protect your system. This allows you to revert changes if something goes wrong.

rstrui.exe

Alternatively, use the GUI method:

1. Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter
2. Click the System Protection tab
3. Click Create and name your restore point "Before File Explorer Customization"
4. Click Create and wait for completion

Access the Windows Registry Editor to modify the File Explorer folder structure. You need administrator rights to make these changes.

regedit

Step-by-step process:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog
2. Type regedit and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter (this runs as administrator)
3. Click Yes when prompted by User Account Control
4. The Registry Editor window opens with full administrative access

Navigate to the specific registry location that controls which folders appear under This PC in File Explorer.

Navigate to this exact path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders\{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}

Step-by-step navigation:

1. In the left panel, expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
2. Expand SOFTWARE
3. Expand Microsoft
4. Expand Windows
5. Expand CurrentVersion
6. Expand Explorer
7. Expand Desktop
8. Expand NameSpace
9. Expand DelegateFolders
10. Click on {59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}

This key controls the user shell folders that appear under This PC.

Each folder under This PC is identified by a unique CLSID (Class Identifier). Here's the complete reference table for Windows 11:

Copy these CLSIDs exactly as shown - they are case-sensitive and must include the curly braces.

Add specific folders to appear under This PC by creating new registry keys with the appropriate CLSIDs.

To add the Documents folder (example):

1. Right-click on the {59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee} key in the left panel
2. Select New → Key
3. Name the new key exactly: {f42ee2d3-f851-47c4-b4ca-1f6b517ad20e}
4. Press Enter to create the key

Repeat this process for other folders you want to add:

For Downloads: {374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}
For Pictures: {3add165c-dee7-4304-8eb9-661dfbfdc69e}
For Music: {f3ce0f7c-4901-4acc-8648-d5d44b04ef8f}
For Videos: {A0953C92-50EC-419b-B0EB-D62ACEFB70E5}
For Desktop: {B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}

Each CLSID you add as a subkey will make that folder appear under This PC.

Remove unwanted folders from This PC by deleting their corresponding CLSID registry keys.

To remove a folder (example - removing 3D Objects):

1. Look for the key {0DB7E03F-FC29-4DC6-9020-FF41B59E07AD} under the DelegateFolders key
2. Right-click on this CLSID key
3. Select Delete
4. Click Yes to confirm the deletion

Common folders to remove:

3D Objects: {0DB7E03F-FC29-4DC6-9020-FF41B59E07AD}
Music (if unused): {f3ce0f7c-4901-4acc-8648-d5d44b04ef8f}
Videos (if unused): {A0953C92-50EC-419b-B0EB-D62ACEFB70E5}

You can remove any folder by deleting its CLSID key, but be careful not to remove folders you actually use.

Configure File Explorer to open directly to This PC instead of the Home page, so you can see your customized folder layout immediately.

Using the GUI method (recommended):

1. Open File Explorer by pressing Windows + E
2. Click the three-dot menu (...) in the toolbar
3. Select Options
4. In the Folder Options dialog, find the Open File Explorer to dropdown
5. Change it from Home to This PC
6. Click Apply then OK

Alternative registry method:

Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Create or modify DWORD: LaunchTo
Set value to: 1 (This PC) or 2 (Home)

The GUI method is safer and easier for most users.

Restart the Windows Explorer process to make your registry changes take effect immediately without rebooting.

Using Task Manager (recommended method):

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Click on the Processes tab
3. Find Windows Explorer in the list
4. Right-click on Windows Explorer
5. Select Restart

Alternative command line method:

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe

The screen will briefly go black as Explorer restarts, then return to normal with your changes applied.

Thoroughly test your File Explorer customizations to ensure everything works correctly and troubleshoot any issues.

Complete verification checklist:

1. Open File Explorer (Windows + E) - should open to This PC
2. Check that all desired folders appear under This PC
3. Verify that removed folders no longer appear
4. Click on each visible folder to ensure they open correctly
5. Test folder functionality (create a test file, move it between folders)

Common issues and solutions:

Issue: Changes not visible
Solution: Restart Explorer again or reboot

Issue: Folder appears but won't open
Solution: Check CLSID spelling in registry

Issue: Too many/few folders showing
Solution: Review which CLSIDs you added/removed

If you encounter problems, you can restore from your system restore point created in Step 1.