Remove Libraries from Windows 10 Windows Explorer

How do I remove Libraries from Windows Explorer in Windows 10?

  • Pressing delete while the registry folder is selected does nothing.
  • Right-clicking to get the context menu does not reveal a delete option.
  • The Navigation pane option for libraries is already disabled.
  • This is obviously a registry issue.
  • Clean/full install of Windows 10 Build 18363.

Broken GUI Libraries

Windows Explorer Libraries


Solution 1:

Try the tutorial at TenForums - Option 2 and Option 4

Option 2:

Open File Explorer Options > Uncheck Show libraries > click/tap on OK.

Option 4:

  • Run regedit
  • Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}
  • Open/create key System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree
  • Use DWORD 0 to hide Libraries

Solution 2:

This solution will completely remove Library folder from Explorer navigation bar, not just close it:

Windows 7: Libraries Folder - Add or Remove from Navigation Pane

Only thing which differs from Windows 7 is that ShellFolder key is owned by the owner "SYSTEM" and it will prevent you from changing values! To overcome this, in step 5 you should first click to the "Advanced" button, then in new dialog change owner "SYSTEM" to "Administrators":

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and then apply Full Control access and proceed with other actions in the step 5 and later.

This is checked on Windows 10 Pro, version 1607, build 14393.0 and version 1909, build 18363.418