Remove Libraries From Windows 7 Explorer
Posted By: Behrad 
Thursday 6 January 2011 
10 Comments
If you’re a Windows 7 user then you must have seen the Libraries which is the a new feature within Windows 7. A lot of people find them handy but me? I just don’t like it! Believe me, I’ve tried to like it but I just didn’t got used to it.
I prefer to manage and organize my files with just normal folders. Beside that, the last couple of weeks the Libraries folders really annoyed me as they took a lots of space in the Windows Explorer navigation panel and made accessing the regular folders tree harder to reach, so I just had to find a way to get rid of that!
Unfortunately Windows doesn’t allow us to switch this off on default but as always; there is a workaround that! Just copy / paste the following code into notepad and save the file as *.reg file (you can name the file whatever you want to) and run the file by double clicking it.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}]
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{2112AB0A-C86A-4ffe-A368-0DE96E47012E}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{491E922F-5643-4af4-A7EB-4E7A138D8174}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{7b0db17d-9cd2-4a93-9733-46cc89022e7c}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{A302545D-DEFF-464b-ABE8-61C8648D939B}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{A990AE9F-A03B-4e80-94BC-9912D7504104}]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
“{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}”=-
Now log off and log on again and you wouldn’t see the Libraries folders in Windows Explorer. This trick actually doesn’t remove Libraries completely but it will make sure that it doesn’t show up in Windows Explorer. The libraries will be accessible thorough the Libraries link in the Start menu or at least that’s the case if you haven’t turn that off as well.
For those who would like to restore this; Download this file Restore Windows 7 Libraries and run the file. Log off and log on again and you should be able to see the Libraries folders again in the Windows Explorer.
Source: MyDigitalLife
I have the same problem! I am still working hard now! Hop this helps!
Hope this solved your problem?
I’ve lots of sentiments about Windows 7 and I guess it’s not meant for me. Although this year I find it pretty fine since I was able to actually learn what’s with it although it is still slower compare to XP.
I have W7 running for more then 1.5 years at home and now also at work and I’ve got to say it’s just great. Much better the XP. Can your hardware handle W7?
Good idea dude! Thanks for this. It will be a great help to the people who also find the new feature annoying. Excited to try try this out!
Your welcome!
Have you already tried this out?
Me too I don’t like the libraries on the windows explorer. That’s Why I keep on surfing and luckily found you post. Thanks for the codes! Gotta try this one and let’s see if this one really works. Thank you also for the link that you have provided for restoring the libraries. Just in case something goes wrong I can restore it.
Your welcome! This works like a charm. I just used it on my W7 PC at office as well!
I’d definitely like to differ with you in removing the libraries from the Windows 7 Explorer. It’s a handy tool to access your most used folders and also in locating files in a particular folder. But I’m not sure whether this will reduce the speed in accessing the normal folders. If this is the case, just increase your RAM to 2GB, and it’ll solve the problem.
@Behrad….I agree with you about simply organizing normal folders. I can’t believe people don’t do this already. I’ve never even used the “My Documents” or any of the other “My” folders. I just make a new folder, preferably on a second harddrive and call it “Documents”, “Videos”, “Pictures”, so much easier.
I do find that 7 definitely sucks compared to XP, but I want DirectX 10/11 etc., oh well……
@TechLikes….2GB?! Welcome to 2004! Ha!