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Remove folders from This PC in File Explorer

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Impact: HighSystem Functionality Loss Risk: High
    This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • 7 scripts
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This category includes scripts to hide specific folders from This PC in File Explorer and other file selection dialogs on Windows systems.

It enhances privacy by hiding personal folders from common Windows interfaces. This prevents accidental exposure of sensitive information when sharing your screen or allowing others to use your computer.

Removing folders may change how you access them if you often use This PC or file dialogs. You can still reach these folders through direct paths or shortcuts.

These scripts are not applicable to Windows 11, as it does not display user folders such as Documents, Pictures, and Music in This PC by default 1.

Caution

This action enhances privacy but may require extra steps for access.

Folder Identifier Reference​

These items are known to Windows by their IDs 2:

NameInternal NameFolder GUID
NetworkNetworkFolderD20BEEC4-5CA8-4905-AE3B-BF251EA09B53
This PCComputerFolder0AC0837C-BBF8-452A-850D-79D08E667CA7
InternetInternetFolder4D9F7874-4E0C-4904-967B-40B0D20C3E4B
Control PanelControlPanelFolder82A74AEB-AEB4-465C-A014-D097EE346D63
PrintersPrintersFolder76FC4E2D-D6AD-4519-A663-37BD56068185
Sync CenterSyncManagerFolder43668BF8-C14E-49B2-97C9-747784D784B7
Sync SetupSyncSetupFolder0F214138-B1D3-4A90-BBA9-27CBC0C5389A
ConflictsConflictFolder4BFEFB45-347D-4006-A5BE-AC0CB0567192
Sync ResultsSyncResultsFolder289A9A43-BE44-4057-A41B-587A76D7E7F9
Recycle BinRecycleBinFolderB7534046-3ECB-4C18-BE4E-64CD4CB7D6AC
ConnectionsConnectionsFolder6F0CD92B-2E97-45D1-88FF-B0D186B8DEDD
FontsFontsFD228CB7-AE11-4AE3-864C-16F3910AB8FE
DesktopDesktopB4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641
StartupStartupB97D20BB-F46A-4C97-BA10-5E3608430854
ProgramsProgramsA77F5D77-2E2B-44C3-A6A2-ABA601054A51
Start MenuStartMenu625B53C3-AB48-4EC1-BA1F-A1EF4146FC19
RecentRecentAE50C081-EBD2-438A-8655-8A092E34987A
SendToSendTo8983036C-27C0-404B-8F08-102D10DCFD74
DocumentsDocumentsFDD39AD0-238F-46AF-ADB4-6C85480369C7
FavoritesFavorites1777F761-68AD-4D8A-87BD-30B759FA33DD
Network ShortcutsNetHoodC5ABBF53-E17F-4121-8900-86626FC2C973
Printer ShortcutsPrintHood9274BD8D-CFD1-41C3-B35E-B13F55A758F4
TemplatesTemplatesA63293E8-664E-48DB-A079-DF759E0509F7
Common StartupCommonStartup82A5EA35-D9CD-47C5-9629-E15D2F714E6E
Common ProgramsCommonPrograms0139D44E-6AFE-49F2-8690-3DAFCAE6FFB8
Common Start MenuCommonStartMenuA4115719-D62E-491D-AA7C-E74B8BE3B067
Public DesktopPublicDesktopC4AA340D-F20F-4863-AFEF-F87EF2E6BA25
ProgramDataProgramData62AB5D82-FDC1-4DC3-A9DD-070D1D495D97
Common TemplatesCommonTemplatesB94237E7-57AC-4347-9151-B08C6C32D1F7
Public DocumentsPublicDocumentsED4824AF-DCE4-45A8-81E2-FC7965083634
RoamingRoamingAppData3EB685DB-65F9-4CF6-A03A-E3EF65729F3D
LocalLocalAppDataF1B32785-6FBA-4FCF-9D55-7B8E7F157091
LocalLowLocalAppDataLowA520A1A4-1780-4FF6-BD18-167343C5AF16
Internet CacheInternetCache352481E8-33BE-4251-BA85-6007CAEDCF9D
CookiesCookies2B0F765D-C0E9-4171-908E-08A611B84FF6
HistoryHistoryD9DC8A3B-B784-432E-A781-5A1130A75963
SystemSystem1AC14E77-02E7-4E5D-B744-2EB1AE5198B7
System32SystemX86D65231B0-B2F1-4857-A4CE-A8E7C6EA7D27
WindowsWindowsF38BF404-1D43-42F2-9305-67DE0B28FC23
ProfileProfile5E6C858F-0E22-4760-9AFE-EA3317B67173
PicturesPictures33E28130-4E1E-4676-835A-98395C3BC3BB
Program Files (x86)ProgramFilesX867C5A40EF-A0FB-4BFC-874A-C0F2E0B9FA8E
Common Files (x86)ProgramFilesCommonX86DE974D24-D9C6-4D3E-BF91-F4455120B917
Program Files (x64)ProgramFilesX646D809377-6AF0-444B-8957-A3773F02200E
Common Files (x64)ProgramFilesCommonX646365D5A7-0F0D-45E5-87F6-0DA56B6A4F7D
Program FilesProgramFiles905E63B6-C1BF-494E-B29C-65B732D3D21A
Program Files (Common)ProgramFilesCommonF7F1ED05-9F6D-47A2-AAAE-29D317C6F066
User Program FilesUserProgramFiles5CD7AEE2-2219-4A67-B85D-6C9CE15660CB
User Common FilesUserProgramFilesCommonBCBD3057-CA5C-4622-B42D-BC56DB0AE516
Administrative ToolsAdminTools724EF170-A42D-4FEF-9F26-B60E846FBA4F
Common Administrative ToolsCommonAdminToolsD0384E7D-BAC3-4797-8F14-CBA229B392B5
MusicMusic4BD8D571-6D19-48D3-BE97-422220080E43
VideosVideos18989B1D-99B5-455B-841C-AB7C74E4DDFC
RingtonesRingtonesC870044B-F49E-4126-A9C3-B52A1FF411E8
Public PicturesPublicPicturesB6EBFB86-6907-413C-9AF7-4FC2ABF07CC5
Public MusicPublicMusic3214FAB5-9757-4298-BB61-92A9DEAA44FF
Public VideosPublicVideos2400183A-6185-49FB-A2D8-4A392A602BA3
Public RingtonesPublicRingtonesE555AB60-153B-4D17-9F04-A5FE99FC15EC
Resource DirectoryResourceDir8AD10C31-2ADB-4296-A8F7-E4701232C972
Localized ResourcesLocalizedResourcesDir2A00375E-224C-49DE-B8D1-440DF7EF3DDC
OEM LinksCommonOEMLinksC1BAE2D0-10DF-4334-BEDD-7AA20B227A9D
CD BurningCDBurning9E52AB10-F80D-49DF-ACB8-4330F5687855
User ProfilesUserProfiles0762D272-C50A-4BB0-A382-697DCD729B80
PlaylistsPlaylistsDE92C1C7-837F-4F69-A3BB-86E631204A23
Sample PlaylistsSamplePlaylists15CA69B3-30EE-49C1-ACE1-6B5EC372AFB5
Sample MusicSampleMusicB250C668-F57D-4EE1-A63C-290EE7D1AA1F
Sample PicturesSamplePicturesC4900540-2379-4C75-844B-64E6FAF8716B
Sample VideosSampleVideos859EAD94-2E85-48AD-A71A-0969CB56A6CD
Photo AlbumsPhotoAlbums69D2CF90-FC33-4FB7-9A0C-EBB0F0FCB43C
PublicPublicDFDF76A2-C82A-4D63-906A-5644AC457385
Programs and FeaturesChangeRemoveProgramsDF7266AC-9274-4867-8D55-3BD661DE872D
App UpdatesAppUpdatesA305CE99-F527-492B-8B1A-7E76FA98D6E4
Get ProgramsAddNewProgramsDE61D971-5EBC-4F02-A3A9-6C82895E5C04
DownloadsDownloads374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B
Public DownloadsPublicDownloads3D644C9B-1FB8-4F30-9B45-F670235F79C0
Saved SearchesSavedSearches7D1D3A04-DEBB-4115-95CF-2F29DA2920DA
Quick LaunchQuickLaunch52A4F021-7B75-48A9-9F6B-4B87A210BC8F
ContactsContacts56784854-C6CB-462B-8169-88E350ACB882
GadgetsSidebarPartsA75D362E-50FC-4FB7-AC2C-A8BEAA314493
Default GadgetsSidebarDefaultParts7B396E54-9EC5-4300-BE0A-2482EBAE1A26
Public Game TasksPublicGameTasksDEBF2536-E1A8-4C59-B6A2-414586476AEA
Game TasksGameTasks054FAE61-4DD8-4787-80B6-090220C4B700
Saved GamesSavedGames4C5C32FF-BB9D-43B0-B5B4-2D72E54EAAA4
GamesGamesCAC52C1A-B53D-4EDC-92D7-6B2E8AC19434
Search MAPISEARCH_MAPI98EC0E18-2098-4D44-8644-66979315A281
Search CSCSEARCH_CSCEE32E446-31CA-4ABA-814F-A5EBD2FD6D5E
LinksLinksBFB9D5E0-C6A9-404C-B2B2-AE6DB6AF4968
User FilesUsersFilesF3CE0F7C-4901-4ACC-8648-D5D44B04EF8F
User LibrariesUsersLibrariesA302545D-DEFF-464B-ABE8-61C8648D939B
Search HomeSearchHome190337D1-B8CA-4121-A639-6D472D16972A
Original ImagesOriginalImages2C36C0AA-5812-4B87-BFD0-4CD0DFB19B39
Documents LibraryDocumentsLibrary7B0DB17D-9CD2-4A93-9733-46CC89022E7C
Music LibraryMusicLibrary2112AB0A-C86A-4FFE-A368-0DE96E47012E
Pictures LibraryPicturesLibraryA990AE9F-A03B-4E80-94BC-9912D7504104
Videos LibraryVideosLibrary491E922F-5643-4AF4-A7EB-4E7A138D8174
Recorded TV LibraryRecordedTVLibrary1A6FDBA2-F42D-4358-A798-B74D745926C5
HomeGroupHomeGroup52528A6B-B9E3-4ADD-B60D-588C2DBA842D
HomeGroup Current UserHomeGroupCurrentUser9B74B6A3-0DFD-4F11-9E78-5F7800F2E772
Device Metadata StoreDeviceMetadataStore5CE4A5E9-E4EB-479D-B89F-130C02886155
LibrariesLibraries1B3EA5DC-B587-4786-B4EF-BD1DC332AEAE
Public LibrariesPublicLibraries48DAF80B-E6CF-4F4E-B800-0E69D84EE384
User PinnedUserPinned9E3995AB-1F9C-4F13-B827-48B24B6C7174
Implicit App ShortcutsImplicitAppShortcutsBCB5256F-79F6-4CEE-B725-DC34E402FD46
Account PicturesAccountPictures008CA0B1-55B4-4C56-B8A8-4DE4B299D3BE
Public User TilesPublicUserTiles0482AF6C-08F1-4C34-8C90-E17EC98B1E17
AppsAppsFolder1E87508D-89C2-42F0-8A7E-645A0F50CA58
All ProgramsStartMenuAllProgramsF26305EF-6948-40B9-B255-81453D09C785
Common Start Menu PlacesCommonStartMenuPlacesA440879F-87A0-4F7D-B700-0207B966194A
Application ShortcutsApplicationShortcutsA3918781-E5F2-4890-B3D9-A7E54332328C
Roaming TilesRoamingTiles00BCFC5A-ED94-4E48-96A1-3F6217F21990
Roamed Tile ImagesRoamedTileImagesAAA8D5A5-F1D6-4259-BAA8-78E7EF60835E
ScreenshotsScreenshotsB7BEDE81-DF94-4682-A7D8-57A52620B86F
Camera RollCameraRollAB5FB87B-7CE2-4F83-915D-550846C9537B
OneDriveOneDriveA52BBA46-E9E1-435F-B3D9-28DAA648C0F6
OneDrive DocumentsSkyDriveDocuments24D89E24-2F19-4534-9DDE-6A6671FBB8FE
OneDrive PicturesSkyDrivePictures339719B5-8C47-4894-94C2-D8F77ADD44A6
OneDrive MusicSkyDriveMusicC3F2459E-80D6-45DC-BFEF-1F769F2BE730
OneDrive Camera RollSkyDriveCameraRoll767E6811-49CB-4273-87C2-20F355E1085B
Search HistorySearchHistory0D4C3DB6-03A3-462F-A0E6-08924C41B5D4
Search TemplatesSearchTemplates7E636BFE-DFA9-4D5E-B456-D7B39851D8A9
Camera Roll LibraryCameraRollLibrary2B20DF75-1EDA-4039-8097-38798227D5B7
Saved PicturesSavedPictures3B193882-D3AD-4EAB-965A-69829D1FB59F
Saved Pictures LibrarySavedPicturesLibraryE25B5812-BE88-4BD9-94B0-29233477B6C3
Retail DemoRetailDemo12D4C69E-24AD-4923-BE19-31321C43A767
DeviceDevice1C2AC1DC-4358-4B6C-9733-AF21156576F0
Development FilesDevelopmentFilesDBE8E08E-3053-4BBC-B183-2A7B2B191E59
3D ObjectsObjects3D31C0DD25-9439-4F12-BF41-7FF4EDA38722
CapturesAppCapturesEDC0FE71-98D8-4F4A-B920-C8DC133CB165
Local DocumentsLocalDocumentsF42EE2D3-909F-4907-8871-4C22FC0BF756
Local PicturesLocalPictures0DDD015D-B06C-45D5-8C4C-F59713854639
Local VideosLocalVideos35286A68-3C57-41A1-BBB1-0EAE73D76C95
Local MusicLocalMusicA0C69A99-21C8-4671-8703-7934162FCF1D
Local DownloadsLocalDownloads7D83EE9B-2244-4E70-B1F5-5393042AF1E4
Recorded CallsRecordedCalls2F8B40C2-83ED-48EE-B383-A1F157EC6F9A
All App ModsAllAppMods7AD67899-66AF-43BA-9156-6AAD42E6C596
Current App ModsCurrentAppMods3DB40B20-2A30-4DBE-917E-771DD21DD099
AppData DesktopAppDataDesktopB2C5E279-7ADD-439F-B28C-C41FE1BBF672
AppData DocumentsAppDataDocuments7BE16610-1F7F-44AC-BFF0-83E15F2FFCA1
AppData FavoritesAppDataFavorites7CFBEFBC-DE1F-45AA-B843-A542AC536CC9
AppData ProgramDataAppDataProgramData559D40A3-A036-40FA-AF61-84CB430A4D34
Local StorageLocalStorageB3EB08D3-A1F3-496B-865A-42B536CDA0EC

Folder Class Identifier (CLSID) Reference​

Certain special folders within Windows are identified by unique strings called CLSIDs 3.

They include:

NameInternal NameGUID
DesktopCLSID_ThisPCDesktopRegFolderB4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641
MusicCLSID_ThisPCMyMusicRegFolder1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE
DownloadsCLSID_ThisPCDownloadsRegFolder374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B
PicturesCLSID_ThisPCMyPicturesRegFolder3ADD1653-EB32-4cb0-BBD7-DFA0ABB5ACCA
VideosCLSID_ThisPCMyVideosRegFolderA0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C
DocumentsCLSID_ThisPCDocumentsRegFolderA8CDFF1C-4878-43be-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0
Local DownloadsCLSID_ThisPCLocalDownloadsRegFolder088e3905-0323-4b02-9826-5d99428e115f
Local PicturesCLSID_ThisPCLocalPicturesRegFolder24ad3ad4-a569-4530-98e1-ab02f9417aa8
Local MusicCLSID_ThisPCLocalMusicRegFolder3dfdf296-dbec-4fb4-81d1-6a3438bcf4de
Local VideosCLSID_ThisPCLocalVideosRegFolderf86fa3ab-70d2-4fc7-9c99-fcbf05467f3a
Local DocumentsCLSID_ThisPCLocalDocumentsRegFolderd3162b92-9365-467a-956b-92703aca08af

These CLSIDs can be inspected by running the following command. The command displays their internal name as the default value on Windows 11 but not on Windows 10:

$registryPath = "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace"
$subkeys = Get-ChildItem -Path $registryPath
foreach ($key in $subkeys) {
    # Get the key name (GUID)
    $keyName = $key.PSChildName
    # Get the (Default) value
    $defaultValue = (Get-ItemProperty -Path $key.PSPath -Name "(default)" -ErrorAction Ignore)."(default)"
    # Output the results
    Write-Output "Key: $keyName"
    Write-Output "Default Value: $defaultValue"
    Write-Output "------------------------"
}

You can open a folder with CLSID using the following command:

start shell:::{CLSID}
Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users.

This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.

Consider creating a system restore point before doing any changes.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source

Maximum — Strongest Possible Privacy​

Read more about Maximum and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Remove folders from This PC in File Explorer" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove folders from This PC in File Explorer" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Remove folders from This PC in File Explorer
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide​

  • 7 Privacy settings

Choose what to protect based on your needs:This script already includes these options.
You can review, apply or reverse each option individually.
Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

The guide below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.
These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.
Visit category: UI for privacy

Same Goal​

Other guides in UI for privacy See settings that are in the same category as this guide.
Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.
See all 12 guides

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
    • Audited and verified using automated security tests

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
    • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process