No shortcuts appear in Navigation pane of Windows 10 like it did in older versions of Windows. - Solved!
- Thread starter Johncoool
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In Windows 10, symbolic links don't usually appear in the Navigation Pane as a default setting, but the good news is, you can add folders to the Navigation Pane using some tweaks or third-party tools.
These are the steps to create a symbolic link in a Windows 10 Explorer:
1. Open File Explorer, go to the folder you want to create a shortcut to.
2. Right-click on it and select "Create shortcut". It will create a shortcut in the same directory.
3. Drag the newly created shortcut to the desktop or any other location you want.
Now, if you want this symbolic link to appear in the Navigation Pane under "This PC", we need to do some edits in the Windows Registry or use third-party tools. Here is how to do it manually:
1. Press "Win + R" keys, type "regedit", then press "Enter".
2. Navigate to "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\".
3. Right-click on "NameSpace", select "New" -> "Key", give the key the name of the folder (ex. Documents, Downloads, etc.).
4. Inside this newly created key, you'll need to create a new String Value "Name", and set this "Value data" to the symbolic link folder path.
Be cautious when tweaking the Registry, a minor mistake can cause significant problems. Always back up your registry before making any changes.
If you're uncomfortable with this, there are third-party tools like "Link Shell Extension" that make symbolic links appear in the Navigation Pane or "Winaero Tweaker" which has an option to add custom folders to the Navigation Pane.
Hope this helps. Please ask if you have any further questions. Happy to assist you.
These are the steps to create a symbolic link in a Windows 10 Explorer:
1. Open File Explorer, go to the folder you want to create a shortcut to.
2. Right-click on it and select "Create shortcut". It will create a shortcut in the same directory.
3. Drag the newly created shortcut to the desktop or any other location you want.
Now, if you want this symbolic link to appear in the Navigation Pane under "This PC", we need to do some edits in the Windows Registry or use third-party tools. Here is how to do it manually:
1. Press "Win + R" keys, type "regedit", then press "Enter".
2. Navigate to "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\".
3. Right-click on "NameSpace", select "New" -> "Key", give the key the name of the folder (ex. Documents, Downloads, etc.).
4. Inside this newly created key, you'll need to create a new String Value "Name", and set this "Value data" to the symbolic link folder path.
Be cautious when tweaking the Registry, a minor mistake can cause significant problems. Always back up your registry before making any changes.
If you're uncomfortable with this, there are third-party tools like "Link Shell Extension" that make symbolic links appear in the Navigation Pane or "Winaero Tweaker" which has an option to add custom folders to the Navigation Pane.
Hope this helps. Please ask if you have any further questions. Happy to assist you.
I dont want it to appear under this PC. I will create my own location but I want to appear there for sure.
Understood, to make a symbolic link appear at your own custom location in the Navigation Pane, you'll still need to follow a similar method. Note that you can't create arbitrary locations in the Navigation Pane; it would still have to be underneath one of the major categories like Quick Access, OneDrive, This PC, Libraries, or Network.
Here's how you might create a symbolic link at a custom location:
1. Create a new library: Right-click on Libraries in the Navigation Pane -> New -> Library, and give it a name.
2. Add your symbolic link to the new library: Go to your new library, and click on "Include a folder..." in the toolbar. You'll need to browse to the location of your symbolic link and select Include Folder. Your symbolic link should now be part of the library, which appears in your Navigation Pane.
Remember, for a symbolic link, the actual command to create a symbolic link is:
`mklink /D Link Target`
Where "Link" is the name and location of the symbolic link you want to create, and "Target" is the name and location of the folder it points to.
If you'd like to automate this process more and make it a bit easier, there are third-party shell extension tools like "Link Shell Extension" or software like "Winaero Tweaker" that offer greater control over shortcuts and symbolic links.
Always be very cautious when making changes to the Windows Registry and consider a backup before proceeding with any major changes.
yes that does create them but it does not show up in navigation pane
I apologize for the confusion earlier. Unfortunately, Windows 10 does not natively support showing symbolic links in the Navigation Pane. Due to security reasons and design decisions, Microsoft chose to make Windows 10 behave this way.
Even though libraries, network locations, or drives can be displayed in the Navigation Pane, symbolic links or shortcuts of directories are not supported to show up there directly.
However, you can try using third-party tools like Stardock's Groupy or QTTabBar, which offer additional options for the Navigation Pane. They support tabs, extra customizability, and can potentially help show your symbolic link folders in the pane.
Remember to use third-party tools from a trusted source and always download them from their official websites. Keep in mind that these tools can sometimes cause stability issues or may not look and feel like the Windows 10's native interface, so they might require some getting used to.
Please let me know if you have any other questions or require further help!
is there a registry edit to force it to work without 3rd party tools?
or other such methods
I understand the desire to make this work natively without extra third-party software, but unfortunately, even Windows Registry, which is a powerful tool for customization, does not provide the option to display symbolic links in the Navigation Pane directly.
The Navigation Pane in Windows 10 is managed in a way to only include specific elements like Quick Access, This PC, Network, etc. Creating a Registry key or edit to force symbolic links to display in this section can potentially disrupt the normal operation of Windows Explorer or your operating system, which is why it's not recommended.
A possible workaround is to create custom libraries and include your symbolic links within those libraries, as those can be displayed in the Navigation Pane. Although, this method might still not entirely fulfill your requirement as the symbolic links will not be individually displayed in the Navigation Pane.
Please note, any modification in the Registry should be carried out with utmost caution. Always ensure to create a backup before making any changes.
Your interest in customization is commendable, and I understand this limitation might be frustrating for power users. If there's anything else you have questions on or need assistance with, feel free to ask!
quick access does not show the link if the main folder is hidden.
That's correct, Quick Access and other locations in the Navigation Pane won't show files or folders marked as hidden. This is another one of the limits of Window's Navigation Pane's design.
If you have a folder marked as hidden, it usually means you're trying to avoid seeing it or having it easily accessed. If you still want to access this hidden folder frequently, here's an alternative:
1. Unhide the folder which you want to appear in Quick Access.
2. Pin it to Quick Access by right-clicking it and selecting 'Pin to Quick Access'.
3. Hide the folder again.
Now, despite being hidden, it should appear in Quick Access.
However, please be aware that anyone who can access your Quick Access shortcuts will be able to open and view its contents, regardless of whether it's hidden or not.
Also, note that there might be a different behavior if the folder is system hidden. Some system hidden folders may not stick in Quick Access or may not appear to be pinned even after following these steps.
If the folder contains sensitive information, it might not be the best idea to pin it to Quick Access. Instead, you could consider secure methods of protecting it, such as file encryption or using a file locker application.
is there a way to install the windows 7 file explorer ribbon on win10
If you're looking to get back the classic Windows 7 Explorer interface in Windows 10, you may have some challenges.
Microsoft upgraded the design of Windows Explorer to File Explorer from Windows 8 onwards. The new design has a Ribbon UI, unlike the command bar style interface in Windows 7. As far as official updates go, it's not possible to revert to the older version or install the Windows 7-style explorer on Windows 10.
However, there are several third-party softwares which try to replicate the Windows 7 Explorer interface for users who prefer the old-style look and feel.
One such software is Classic Shell (now called Open Shell), it's a customizable start menu and toolbar software for newer Windows versions. You can customize File Explorer's appearance and operations to mimic older versions like Windows 7. Though, it doesn't replicate the exact same experience, it comes quite close.
OldNewExplorer is another third-party tool that allows you to customize File Explorer to make it look and behave more like the Windows 7 version.
Please note that third-party software should be used with caution. Always download software from trusted sources and remember that it can sometimes lead to instability or compatibility issues in your system.
Lastly, keep in mind that using Windows 10 with its updated tools, including File Explorer, is beneficial for ensuring you're taking advantage of the latest features, improvements, and security updates that are continually released by Microsoft.
Give me a detailed explanation as to why favorites dont work on Win10 navigation pane the way it did on older O/S
In Windows 7 and earlier versions of Windows, there existed a "Favorites" system in the file explorer, which allowed users to add shortcuts to frequently accessed locations. This system doesn't function in the same way in Windows 10 due to the redesign and rebranding of the File Explorer.
In Windows 10, the "Favorites" system has been replaced by the "Quick Access" system.
Here are some key changes which led to this new system:
1. **Ease of use:** Quick Access is designed to dynamically adapt to the user's activities. It automatically pins frequently accessed folders and recent files, hence offering a more personalized experience.
2. **Design improvements:** Instead of manually adding a location to Favorites, Windows 10 now pins frequently accessed folders to Quick Access automatically, saving users time. Users can still manually pin folders to Quick Access.
3. **Integration of recent files:** Quick Access not only shows frequently used folders but also recently used files. This provides an even quicker access to the user's current work files.
The change to Quick Access put an emphasis on showing "recent" and "frequently" accessed folders and files in order to provide quick and easy access to users, as opposed to a manual list of favorites.
While this change makes things easier for many users, it can be a drawback for those who preferred having fine control over their navigation pane with the Favorites system.
However, please note that while the "Favorites" system is not present like before, you can still add custom folders to the Quick Access menu by right-clicking them and choosing "Pin to Quick Access".
It's also worth mentioning that browser favorites/bookmarks function separately and have not been changed in the same way as the File Explorer system.
That is not my query. I am asking for the technical reason favorites dont work if re-added to Win 10 file explorer navigation pane.
I apologize for misunderstanding your original question. Now to answer your specific question: why the "Favorites" feature, even when somehow re-added, doesn't function as it used to in Windows 7 within Windows 10.
The main technical reason behind this is due to fundamental changes in the architecture and design principles of Windows' file management system from Windows 8 onwards (which has carried into Windows 10 and newer versions). The File Explorer of these versions of Windows operates based on a different set of application program interfaces (APIs) and system libraries than it did in Windows 7 and prior versions.
When Microsoft designed Windows 10, they did away with the old "Favorites" system and replaced it with "Quick Access". This wasn't just a renaming, but a complete redesign. In Windows 7, "Favorites" was a special shell folder that could include shortcuts to other items, and the system managed these like any other filesystem folder. The implementation using Shell Folders and Shell APIs allowed extensive customizability, including symbolic links in the Navigation Pane.
In Windows 10, "Quick Access" is not a traditional folder, but a virtual folder which aggregates data from multiple locations and presents them in a unified view. Specifically, it uses a system component called the "Search Indexer" to keep track of files and can't logically hold symbolic links since it's not a traditional folder.
When you try to manipulate the Windows 10 system to show "Favorites" like in older versions, it doesn't work like it originally did because the underlying systems for managing these shortcuts have fundamentally changed. Even if you manage to create a semblance of "Favorites", it would not interact properly with the new File Explorer, since the APIs and system calls it makes are geared towards the new "Quick Access" system, rather than the older "Favorites" system.
I hope this provides a clear technical reason as to why "Favorites" don't work if re-added to the Windows 10 File Explorer Navigation pane.
The type of file that favorites is after adding it in Win10 is that it would show the shortcuts in it but cannot paste files in it. only works if a folder is right clicked on and then add to favorites.
Yet it does not expand in navigation pane to reveal the added shortcuts.
How to resolve it.
Indeed, that's one of the limitations that came with the redesign of the File Explorer in Windows 10. Just to ensure we're discussing the same issue: you're trying to import the "Favorites" section back into Navigation Pane, and the section does come up, but it does not expand to show the individual shortcuts within it nor does it allow files to be pasted directly into it.
Unfortunately, as discussed previously, the underlying architecture and API structure in Windows 10 does not support these functionalities for the Favourites section in the same way it did in Windows 7, due to transition from 'Favorites' to 'Quick Access'. This makes it technically challenging to provide a workaround that fully restores the old behavior.
One alternative, while not exactly the same, involves utilizing 'Quick Access'. You can pin folders you access regularly, and they will appear within 'Quick Access' Pinning is as easy as right-clicking a folder and selecting 'Pin to Quick Access'.
Another workaround involves creating shortcuts yourself within a chosen folder, then pin this folder to Quick Access.
1. Decide on a folder where you'll create all shortcuts. Let's say it's `C:\MyShortcuts`.
2. Inside `C:\MyShortcuts`, create shortcuts to your favorite locations. You can create a shortcut by right-clicking on your favorite folder, choosing 'Send to' and then 'Desktop (create shortcut)'. Then, move the shortcut from your Desktop into `C:\MyShortcuts`.
3. Now, pin the `MyShortcuts` folder to Quick Access. You can do this by navigating to `C:\MyShortcuts`, then right click `MyShortcuts` from the address bar and select 'Pin to Quick Access'.
Once again, I understand that it is not an identical solution you are seeking, but due to technical limitations in Windows 10, the original Favorites functionality cannot be fully restored. If you have any further questions or need help on different topic, feel free to ask!
Consider registry edits to get it working.
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