No shortcuts appear in Navigation pane of Windows 10 like it did in older versions of Windows. - Solved!

[Johncoool]

Symbolic link not showing up in Navigation Pane of Windows 10. Instead of using Quick Access.

How to get show up there?

 

[Johncoool]

Sure. The solution you've posted is giving a detailed instruction on how to manage your Favorites in the File Explorer Home on Windows 11. Here's what each option does:

1. **Option One: Add to Favorites in File Explorer Home for Current User**
This option shows you how to add specific files to your Favorites section in File Explorer Home. You simply select the files you want to add, right-click on them, and select 'Add to Favorites'.

2. **Option Two: Remove from Favorites in File Explorer Home for Current User**
Just like the first option, this option quite simply shows you how to remove files from your Favorites. You open File Explorer Home, select the files under Favorites you want to remove, right-click on them, and select 'Remove from Favorites'.

3. **Option Three: Hide or Show Favorites in File Explorer Home for All Users using REG file**
This option provides instructions for an administrator to hide or show the Favorites section in File Explorer for all users on a machine using a .reg file. Depending on whether you want to hide or show Favorites, you download and merge the appropriate .reg file. This modifies your Windows Registry settings, so should be done with caution.

4. **Option Four: Clear and Reset Favorites in File Explorer Home for Current User in Command Prompt**
This option details how to clear and reset your Favorites in File Explorer Home using the Command Prompt. You open the Command Prompt (via the Windows Terminal), enter a specific command, and all Favorites are removed, resetting the section.

5. **Option Five: Clear and Reset Favorites in File Explorer Home for Current User in File Explorer**
Similar to Option Four, but instead this uses File Explorer to clear and reset Favorites.

This is a flexible and comprehensive set of options, allowing you to easily modify what appears in your Favorites, whether to have the Favorites section accessible to all users, and how to reset it if necessary.

Again, Option three requires administrator's privileges and involves manipulation of Windows Registry, which should be done with care. Always backup your Registry before making any changes as incorrect changes can cause system instability.

extract information and instruction so that i add favorites to my file explorer

 

[Johncoool]

Sure. If you want to add items to your Favorites in File Explorer Home, follow these steps:

1. In File Explorer, locate the file (or files) that you want to add to Favorites.

2. Select one or more files you want to add. You can hold the 'Ctrl' button on your keyboard and click the files to select more than one file.

3. Once you have selected the files, right-click on them.

4. In the context menu that appears, click/tap on 'Add to Favorites'.

That's it! These files should now appear in the Favorites section in File Explorer Home. Whenever you need quick access to these files, you can find them easily in the Favorites section.

no, extract the registry information so that i get favorites folder back as they advice

 

[ussnorway]

i have it like this

 

[Johncoool]

Sure. If you want to add items to your Favorites in File Explorer Home, follow these steps:

1. In File Explorer, locate the file (or files) that you want to add to Favorites.

2. Select one or more files you want to add. You can hold the 'Ctrl' button on your keyboard and click the files to select more than one file.

3. Once you have selected the files, right-click on them.

4. In the context menu that appears, click/tap on 'Add to Favorites'.

That's it! These files should now appear in the Favorites section in File Explorer Home. Whenever you need quick access to these files, you can find them easily in the Favorites section.

Solved!

Symbolic link is the correct solution but in a specific way of setting it.

You can either create the Symbolic link from CMD or by using a free tool from the below link.

Download Symbolic Link Creator

Download Symbolic Link Creator 1.1.2.15 - User-friendly GUI for mklink to help you seamlessly create symbolic links, hard links and directory junctions, featuring clear-cut options

www.softpedia.com

You need to add a new folder to Navigation Pane or by using WinAero Tweaker.

Then you create the required links from the tool.

That will work even when the folders have been hidden.

 

[Johncoool]

In the Symbolic link tool. Use the Directory junction option for better results. Then It be pinned to Quick Access and the Icon can be changed.

The Icon needs to be changed before it is pinned to quick access on the new created link by the tool.

 

[ChatGPT]

Ah, I see now! You want to create your own spot in the Navigation Pane of File Explorer, where your shortcuts or symbolic links can appear, but not under "This PC." You're looking for the ability to customize and define your own section or location. Fair enough—it’s time to take a stroll into some deeper customization territory.
Here’s how you can achieve it:

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Option 1: Create a Custom Location in the Navigation Pane via Registry Edits​

With a bit of tweaking in the Windows Registry, you can add a custom folder or location to the Navigation Pane. Proceed carefully and make backups before editing the registry.

1. Open the Registry Editor:
   • Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to the ShellFolder Key:
   • Go to:
     

      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID

   • Right-click anywhere in the left panel and select New > Key.
   • Give the new key a custom Globally Unique Identifier (GUID)—for example:
     

      {F8287D7C-10FF-43A9-B1A8-74AB5C6A33CF}

3. Edit Properties for Your New Key:
   • With your newly created key selected, add the following subkeys:
     • DefaultIcon: This sets a custom icon for your location.
     • InProcServer32: Set its default value to C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll (default Windows shell behavior).
4. Update the Navigation Pane Identifier:
   • Add a ShellFolder key under your custom GUID:
     • Modify its permissions by right-clicking and selecting Permissions, changing ownership to your user account. Then assign full control.
     • Add a new DWORD value called Attributes and set it to a0100000 (this ensures it shows in the Navigation Pane).
5. Point to a Folder:
   • Add the absolute path of your desired folder to the key's Default value or a LocalServer32 value, depending on your use case.
6. Restart Explorer:
   • Save your changes, then restart File Explorer (Win + X > Command Prompt and run taskkill /f /im explorer.exe, then explorer.exe).

Voila! You should now see your custom location in the Navigation Pane.

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Option 2: Use a Third-Party Tool​

If poking around in the registry feels a bit risky, you can use a trusted third-party tool like ShellFolderFix or ExplorerPatcher to customize your Navigation Pane and add your desired shortcut or folder.

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Option 3: Pin to Quick Access​

If you'd prefer a simpler tweak without the registry:

1. Drag and drop your folder or shortcut into the Quick Access section.
2. While not a real custom section, this still ensures your location stays prominent in the Navigation Pane without complex edits.

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Let me know which route you choose—or if you'd like more guidance with these steps! You’re one tweak away from making that Navigation Pane truly yours.