When you want to remove a library from your view in File Explorer, the process described in the provided reference focuses on controlling the visibility of the "Libraries" section itself within the navigation pane. While this doesn't permanently delete the library or its contents, it removes the "Libraries" category from the sidebar, effectively making it inaccessible from that location.
Removing the Libraries Section from the Navigation Pane
To hide the Libraries section in File Explorer, you need to adjust the folder options. The key step involves interacting with a setting related to showing libraries and then applying the changes.
Here are the steps to follow, incorporating the information from the reference:
- Open File Explorer: Launch File Explorer from your taskbar or Start menu.
- Access Folder Options:
- Click on the View tab in the File Explorer ribbon.
- In the far right section, click on Options.
- Select Change folder and search options.
- Adjust View Settings:
- In the "Folder Options" window that appears, go to the View tab.
- Scroll down the list of "Advanced settings".
- Look for the Navigation pane section.
- Control Library Visibility:
- Find the option that says "Show libraries".
- According to the reference, you interact with "The box next to show libraries."
- To hide the Libraries section, make sure this box is unchecked. If it's checked, uncheck it.
- Apply Changes:
- Click on the Apply button at the bottom of the "Folder Options" window.
- As mentioned in the reference, "click on apply to save your changes."
- Click OK to close the window.
After completing these steps, the "Libraries" section will no longer appear in the navigation pane on the left side of File Explorer. This action effectively removes the Libraries from your immediate view.
Important Considerations
- Hiding the Libraries section using this method does not delete the actual library folders (like Documents, Pictures, etc.) or the files they contain.
- You can still access the default library folders directly from your user profile folder (
C:\Users\[Your Username]). - To make the Libraries section visible again, simply follow the same steps and check the box next to "Show libraries" in Folder Options.
This method, based on controlling the "Show libraries" setting as indicated by the provided reference, is how you can remove the Libraries section from the File Explorer navigation pane.
