How to Remove the Home Icon from the Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 11

Key Notes

  • The Home tab can be removed by modifying the Registry.
  • Before making Registry changes, create a System Restore Point.
  • Restoring the tab is possible by renaming or importing a backup key.

Customize Your Windows 11 Experience: Removing the Home Tab in File Explorer

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of removing the Home tab from the File Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 11. As Microsoft’s updates continue to evolve the interface, you may find yourself wishing to customize or streamline it. Follow these steps to take control of your File Explorer layout.

Steps to Remove Home from the File Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 11

To remove the Home tab from the Navigation Pane in Windows 11’s File Explorer, you will need to make changes in the Windows Registry. Follow these detailed instructions carefully.

Step 1: Create a System Restore Point

Before making any changes to the Registry, it’s essential to create a System Restore Point. This allows you to revert your system back to a previous state if anything goes wrong.

Pro Tip: Regularly updating your restore points can save you from potential headaches in the future.

Step 2: Open the Registry Editor

Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and click OK. Confirm any User Account Control prompts.

Step 3: Backup the NameSpace Key

In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace Right-click on the NameSpace key and select Export to create a backup of it.

Step 4: Rename the Registry Key

Look for the key labeled {f874310e-b6b7-47dc-bc84-b9e6b38f5903}. Right-click and select Rename. You can prepend a character (like a hyphen) to the name to effectively disable it, as shown below: --{f874310e-b6b7-47dc-bc84-b9e6b38f5903}

Step 5: Confirm Removal of the Home Tab

After renaming or deleting the key, open File Explorer. The Home tab should no longer be visible in the Navigation Pane. If it still appears, consider restarting your computer.

Summary

In summary, removing the Home tab from Windows 11’s File Explorer Navigation Pane involves accessing the Registry Editor, making necessary modifications, and confirming the changes. Remember, creating a System Restore Point beforehand is crucial to ensure easy reversibility.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned how to remove the Home tab from the Navigation Pane in File Explorer, you can tailor your Windows 11 experience to better suit your preferences. Don’t hesitate to explore other customization options to enhance your user experience.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I restore the Home tab after removing it?

Yes, you can easily restore the Home tab by renaming the registry key back to its original name or by restoring from a backup.

What should I do if the Home tab doesn’t disappear after modifying the Registry?

If the Home tab still appears, try restarting your computer to apply the changes.