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How to organize files and folders when they seem to have a mind of their own.

It really does boggle my mind on how Microsoft came up with the conventions it has in file explorer. It is nothing but clutter. Keep seeing the same folders sometimes four or five times. Even with this, when scrolling to the end of the side panel, I have a bunch of folders on my desktop, they are atr the end of this side panel. So sometimes it seems like a big mystery to try and use Windows file explorer. So how did these folders get there-from desktop to this side panel? What function do they take on?  So there is a Network button, control panel button, and then a Recycle bin button-underneath all of this is where my desktop folders can be found. So how do I get rid of these folders without deleting them or cutting and pasting. Am just thinking if I deleted them, I will not be able to find them anywhere because of deleting from one location. On the other hand, you really cannot cut and paste them back into the Desktop as it is the source for these folders-but there they are hanging out without a purpose or a plan-they are just there cluttering up my files explorer side panel.

Hey Dave. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

There are a several good tutorials here, one video and one slideshow. See if these help better understand the Windows Explorer jumble:
https://www.groovypost.com/howto/windows-10-fil...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqUAE0o46lw

https://www.techradar.com/how-to/computing/how-...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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It sounds like you have Show all folders selected in your Navigation Pane options. This means you can collapse the pane to two items: Quick Access and desktop. Is this correct? And when you expand the Desktop folder, you don't like having OneDrive, UserFiles, This PC, Libraries, Network, Control Panel, and Recycle Bin in front of your folders, correct?

There is no easy solution, for that.  To see your folders without the system items, you need to be looking in the Desktop folder specific to your user profile, shortcuts to this are in Quick Access and This PC.

Anything else would involve registry play with uncertain results.

Keith

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Last updated May 30, 2021 Views 982 Applies to: