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How do I disable the new "Favorites" and "Shared" panel on Windows Explorer?

P R Chem 5 Reputation points
2025-10-30T19:15:44.68+00:00

How do I REMOVE the useless "favourites" (spelled incorrectly in the windows system) and "shared" tabs from the file explorer? I do not want these categories at all, I want them completely removed from the file explorer.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage
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  1. Restee Miranda 14,040 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-10-30T20:19:16.54+00:00

    Hi P R Chem,

    To customize Windows 11 File Explorer:

    Remove items from File Explorer:

    1. Open File Explorer. Click the three-dot menu in the toolbar and pick Options.
    2. In Folder Options, General tab, under Privacy, uncheck Show recently used files and Show frequently used folders.
    3. Click Clear next to Clear File Explorer history, then Apply and OK.

    Set File Explorer to open to This PC

    1. In Folder Options, General Tab, find Open File Explorer to.
    2. Change the selection to This PC, then Apply and OK.

    Hide Favorites from the right-click menu:

    1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
    2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT*\shell\pintohomefile
    3. Right-click pintohomefile, select New > String Value.
    4. Name it ProgrammaticAccessOnly. Leave the value empty.
    5. Restart File Explorer or your PC.

    Note: Back up your Registry before editing.

    Regards,

    Rez

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