Add or Remove This PC in Windows 10 File Explorer
To add or remove This PC in the Windows 10 File Explorer navigation pane, open File Explorer’s View settings and change the Navigation pane options. The setting controls whether This PC appears in the left-hand folder tree; it does not delete your files, drives, or the This PC view itself.
What the Navigation Pane Setting Changes
The navigation pane is the left column in File Explorer. It provides shortcuts and a folder tree for locations such as Quick access, OneDrive, This PC, and network locations. In Windows 10, a checkbox in the Navigation pane menu controls whether all folders are shown in that tree. Turning it on normally makes This PC visible; turning it off hides the expanded all-folders tree, including This PC in the navigation pane.
This is a display preference, not a storage or access setting. Hiding This PC from the pane does not remove the C: drive, disconnect external storage, uninstall anything, or prevent you from opening This PC by another route. You can still use the This PC entry in the main File Explorer window, if available, or type This PC into the address bar and press Enter.
Show This PC in the Navigation Pane
- Open File Explorer. You can click its folder icon on the taskbar or press Windows+E.
- Select the View tab in the ribbon at the top of the window.
- Select Navigation pane at the left of the ribbon to open its menu.
- Click Show all folders so a check mark appears beside it.
The navigation tree should now include This PC. Depending on the current folder and window width, you may need to scroll within the left pane to find it. Select the small arrow beside a folder to expand or collapse its subfolders; the arrow’s appearance can vary with the Windows theme and the folder’s state.
Show all folders can display more than This PC. It may also reveal other shell locations in the tree, so the pane can look busier than before. If you prefer the simpler list, leave the option off and use another way to open This PC.
Hide This PC from the Navigation Pane
- Open File Explorer and select View.
- Open Navigation pane.
- Select Show all folders to clear its check mark.
This hides the all-folders tree from the navigation pane, including This PC when it was shown through that option. It does not remove This PC from Windows or make your disks inaccessible. If your aim is only to reduce clutter, try collapsing This PC’s tree using its arrow before changing the broader setting. Collapsing keeps the entry visible while hiding its children; clearing Show all folders changes which locations are displayed.
Choose the View That Fits Your Workflow
Showing all folders is useful if you regularly move between This PC, user folders, removable drives, and other locations. It gives you a more complete tree and can make it easier to navigate without returning to the main pane. The trade-off is a longer list with more system and shell locations.
Hiding the all-folders view suits people who mainly use Quick access, pinned folders, or the main File Explorer window. If you only need This PC occasionally, use one of these alternatives:
- Open File Explorer and select This PC in the main window or address bar, if shown.
- Click the address bar, type
This PC, and press Enter. - Search Windows for This PC and open the result.
The exact starting view when File Explorer opens can be set separately through View > Options, on the General tab, using the Open File Explorer to setting. Changing that setting affects the window’s starting location; it is not the same as showing or hiding This PC in the navigation pane.
When the Setting Does Not Appear to Work
If This PC does not appear after you enable the option, first check that the navigation pane itself is displayed: choose View > Navigation pane and make sure Navigation pane is checked. Then confirm that Show all folders is checked as well. These are separate choices: one shows or hides the pane, and the other changes its folder tree.
- Check the pane width: Drag the divider between the navigation pane and the main file list to make the left column wider. A narrow pane can make entries harder to read.
- Look for a collapsed tree: Expand the relevant entry using its arrow. A collapsed item can be easy to overlook in a long list.
- Reopen File Explorer: Close the window and open a fresh one to see whether the display refreshes.
- Check for managed settings: On a work or school PC, an administrator may control some Windows configuration. If options are unavailable or revert, ask the device administrator rather than changing system policies.
A common misconception is that removing This PC from the navigation pane removes the computer’s drives. It only changes what File Explorer displays in that pane. If a drive itself is missing, that is a different issue involving the drive, its connection, or Windows recognizing it; changing Show all folders will not repair it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add This PC to the Windows 10 navigation pane?
In File Explorer, choose View > Navigation pane > Show all folders. This enables the fuller folder tree, which includes This PC.
How do I remove This PC from the navigation pane without deleting it?
Clear the check mark beside Show all folders in the Navigation pane menu. This changes the display only; your files and drives remain available.
Why is This PC missing from the left side of File Explorer?
The navigation pane may be hidden, or Show all folders may be off. Check both options under View > Navigation pane, then look for This PC in the tree.
Can I still open This PC after hiding it?
Yes. Type This PC into File Explorer’s address bar and press Enter, or search Windows for This PC. Hiding the navigation entry does not disable access.
Does Show all folders add This PC to the desktop too?
No. It controls the File Explorer navigation pane. Desktop icons are configured separately through Windows desktop icon settings.
How do I make File Explorer open to This PC?
In File Explorer, open View > Options. On the General tab, use Open File Explorer to and choose This PC, then apply the change.
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