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Make Explorer open Libraries instead of Quick Access in Windows 10

Many users are asking me how to make File Explorer open Libraries by default instead of Quick Access or This PC in Windows 10. Windows 10 does not come with any such option but there is a Registry hack I would like to share with you which will allow you to open Libraries by default.

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The main idea behind the hack is that we add the Libraries folder directly to the Quick Access folder. Since Quick Access is the location that opens by default, you will see all your Libraries in Quick Access. This can be done with a simple Registry tweak. After that, you can make File Explorer open Libraries instead of Quick Access.

Before we proceed, make sure you have Quick Access set to open by default in File Explorer settings. To check this, do the following:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Switch to the View Ribbon tab and click the Folder Options icon:File Explorer Windows 10 folder options
  3. Under the General tab in Folder Options, select Quick Access for the "Open File Explorer to:" drop down list:File Explorer Windows 10 folder quick access

Now, let's apply a simple Registry tweak.

  1. Open Registry Editor.
  2. Go to the following Registry key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HomeFolderDesktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders

    Tip: See how to jump to the desired Registry key with one click.

  3. Create here a new subkey and name it {031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5} as shown below:File Explorer Windows 10 quick access delegatefolders
  4. If you are running 64-bit Windows 10 (see how to determine if you are running 32-bit Windows or 64-bit), create the same subkey here in addition to the one you created earlier:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow64Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HomeFolderDesktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders

Now, close and re-open File Explorer. Your Libraries will be in Quick Access:File Explorer Windows 10 quick access with libraries

It looks and works almost the same as the Libraries folder. This is the only way to open Libraries when File Explorer starts in Windows 10.

If you are not using the other folder groups in Quick Access, you can unpin all the pinned folders and remove Frequent Folders and Recent Files. Then you will get something like this:File Explorer Windows 10 quick access with libraries 2

Read the following articles for further reference:

That's it.

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Author: Sergey Tkachenko

Sergey Tkachenko is a software developer who started Winaero back in 2011. On this blog, Sergey is writing about everything connected to Microsoft, Windows and popular software. Follow him on Telegram, Twitter, and YouTube.

8 thoughts on “Make Explorer open Libraries instead of Quick Access in Windows 10”

  1. Hi Sergey,

    Can you help me, please?

    I have this problem: http://www.imagebam.com/image/a765ef451756298

    This error is similar:
    http://www.tеnfоrums.соm/gеnеrаl-discussiоn/1233O-hоw-can-i-hidе-dоublе-drive-listing-explorer.html

    Thanks in advanced.

  2. The error was caused today, yesterday did not have this problem. My computer is not customized or modified with “tweaks”.

    I guess that will be remove some key “Delegate folders”, but I don’t know which is correct key

    1. OK
      Please check out if you have the following key:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders\{088e3905-0323-4b02-9826-5d99428e115f}

      Or the following key:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders\{374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}

      If you have any of those, delete it.

  3. Hello Sergey!!!
    I hope to help me as you can!
    (Not knowing English well, here’s a translation of translator)

    I like windows 10. but I hate the explore menu and I want to do the same like windows 7!

    Is there a way to do this?
    *How to Make Windows 10 Explorer Look Like Windows 7 Explorer* from registry or with a program?

    Thank you very very mach!

  4. It’s me again!

    Here is a photo of win 7 explorer.
    http://i.imgur.com/UUxdtIh.jpg

    Most with interest is:
    – Favorites
    – Libraries
    – Computer

    Thanks again!

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