How to Add Any Custom Folder to This PC on Windows 10/11
This guide will show you how to add any custom folder to the ‘This PC’ folder on Windows 10/11, which makes accessing destinations such as Downloads, Documents, Pictures, etc. quite handy. The steps to add a folder to This PC on both Windows 10 and 11 are the same. Let’s begin.
Adding Any Custom Folder to This PC on Windows File Explorer
When you open File Explorer (Windows+E) on Windows 11, it opens Home or This PC. While you can navigate to different folders using the sidebar, it makes life easier if you can simply add your favorite or most used folders to This PC directly. Save time. You can use this to access any folder present on any drive instantly.
The second section will show you how to restore the usual folders such as Downloads, Pictures, Documents, etc. back into Windows 11 as it was removed in a previous update.
Note:You must be using an administrator account to make these changes.
1.OpenComputer Managementon your PC by clicking the Windows button, and searching for it. Then, click on the search result.
2.UnderSystem Tools, navigate toShared Folders>Sharesin the left sidebar. You will notice directories and drive letters on the right.
3.Next,right-clickanywhere in an empty space, and selectNew Sharefrom context menu.
4.In the pop-up that follows, click onNext. Then, click onBrowseand navigate to the folder of your choice on any drive of your choice that you want to add to This PC. Once you have selected the right folder, click onOK. When done selecting your custom folder’s destination, click onNextagain.
For this example, we are adding an important folder from D: drive to theThis PCsection of Windows 10/11.
5.On the next screen, copy the entireShare pathof your chosen folder destination as we will need this in a later step. After copying it, click onNext.
6.Now to give necessary permissions, checkAdministrators have full access; other users have read-only accessoption. Then, click onFinish.
7.Another screen that saysSharing was successful will pop up. Click onFinishhere as well.
8.Navigate to theThis PCfolder in File Explorer. Then, right-click in an empty space and click onAdd a network location. When using Windows 11, you must right-click on the empty space, click onShow more options, and then click onAdd network location.
10. When theAdd Network Location Wizardpops up, click onNext.
11.Click onChoose a custom network location,and then click onNext.
12.UnderInternet or network address, paste thepreviously copied share pathfrom step 5. Then, clickNextjust like we have been doing so.
13.You will be asked to type a name. Enter thedesired namefor this new custom folder which will now show up under This PC on your Windows 10/11 PC, and click onNext.I recommend giving it the same name as the original folder so you’re able to recognize it quickly.
14.Click onFinishat the last step and you are done.
As you can see below, we have successfully created custom folders under This PC in Windows 10 and 11 File Explorer.
Adding Back Common Folders Through RegEdit in File Explorer
This is for Windows users who would like to get back common folder links such as Desktop, Downloads, Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos which were previously present inside the This PC folder. But Windows 11 took this away with an update.
1.OpenNotepadon your PC by clicking the Windows button and searching for it. Click on the search result that pops up.
2.After opening Notepad, copy-paste the text below into the Notepad file.
3.The Notepad window should look something like this after the code is pasted.
4.When done, go toFileat the top left corner of Notepad. Then, click onSave as.
5.Once the save menu opens, select the destination asDesktopand make sure to selectFile TypeasAll Files (.). Once done, type the file’s name like below. Keep in mind to add.regat the end as the file extension. Then click onSave.
6.Now go to your desktop and right-clickon the saved file, and then click onOpen.
7.It will ask for your confirmation, click onYes.
8.After this, it will display a successful message. Click onOK. Then, navigate toThis PCfolder using File Explorer to view the newly applied changes. We have now successfully restored the custom folders back in Windows 11 File Explorer.
That Folder in This PC
It is not that difficult to add a custom folder to This PC section on Windows 11 File Explorer. You can add all your favorite folders by repeating the steps in the first section. There is no limit to how many folders can be added. Additionally, if you miss popular folders such as Desktop, Downloads, etc. on your Windows 11 OS, you can get them back too.
File Explorer has some neat tricks likemultiple tabs. We have shared plenty oftips and tricksbefore that will come in handy for both Windows 10 and 11 users.
Gaurav Bidasaria
Gaurav is an editor here at TechWiser but also contributes as a writer. He has more than 10 years of experience as a writer and has written how-to guides, comparisons, listicles, and in-depth explainers on Windows, Android, web, and cloud apps, and the Apple ecosystem.
He loves tinkering with new gadgets and learning about new happenings in the tech world.
He has previously worked on Guiding Tech, Make Tech Easier, and other prominent tech blogs and has over 1000+ articles that have been read over 50 million times.
