How to Add System Folders to Windows File Explorer

Windows File Explorer is a handy tool for managing files, but by default, it doesn’t display some essential system folders. It can be very useful to have direct access to folders like “Control Panel,” “Network Connections,” or “Printers & Scanners” right from the Explorer window. This article will walk you through the simple steps to add system folders to Windows File Explorer, making navigation faster and more convenient.

Using the Registry Editor

The most reliable way to add system folders to Windows File Explorer is by making changes to the Registry. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  2. Navigate to the following path:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\Namespace
  3. Right-click the Namespace folder, select New > Key.
  4. Name the new key with the GUID identifier of the folder you want to add (for example, for the Control Panel, use {5399E694-6CE5-4D6C-8FCE-1D8870FDCBA0}).
  5. Close the Registry Editor and restart File Explorer for the changes to take effect.

Note: Be cautious when working with the registry, as incorrect changes can affect system functionality.

GUID List for Popular System Folders

Here are some GUIDs that will help you add specific system folders:

  • Control Panel: {5399E694-6CE5-4D6C-8FCE-1D8870FDCBA0}
  • Network Connections: {F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}
  • Printers & Scanners: {2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}
  • Bluetooth: {28803F59-3A75-4058-995F-4EE5503B023C}

Using Command Prompt (CMD)

Another way to add system folders is by using the Command Prompt:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin)).
  2. Enter the following command, replacing GUID with the identifier of the folder you want to add: 
    reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\Namespace\{GUID}"
  3. Press Enter to execute the command.

Using Third-Party Utilities

There are third-party utilities that can make configuring Windows Explorer easy without needing to edit the registry manually. One such program is Winaero Tweaker. With it, you can add system folders to File Explorer and adjust the appearance and behavior of Windows to fit your preferences.

Download Winaero Tweaker from the official developer website, install it, and follow the instructions to add system folders.