Add Custom Folders or Shortcuts in Windows This PC View

Common causes

Windows does not provide a built-in setting to add custom folders or shortcuts to the This PC view in File Explorer.
Registry edits required to add custom entries are complex and can break easily during Windows updates.
Group Policy or workplace restrictions prevent modifications to the shell namespace on managed computers.
Some methods only work in specific Windows versions, as Microsoft has changed the This PC shell namespace between Windows 10 and 11 updates.
Third-party tools to customize This PC may conflict with File Explorer extensions or cloud storage providers like OneDrive.
Adding too many custom entries slows File Explorer startup because each entry requires shell namespace initialization.

Who this guide is for

You are troubleshooting a windows issue, not choosing new software yet.
The main problem matches this cluster: windows customization.
You want the fastest reliable fixes first before trying a reset or reinstall.

Step-by-step fixes

Step 1

Pin frequently used folders to Quick Access as the simplest alternative

Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder you want quick access to. Right-click the folder and select Pin to Quick Access. The folder now appears at the top of the File Explorer sidebar under Quick Access. This method requires no registry editing, works on all Windows 10 and 11 versions, and survives updates without any maintenance. It is the recommended approach for most users who want faster navigation to specific folders.

Step 2

Create a custom Library to group multiple folders in one location

Right-click in the Libraries section of File Explorer and select New, then Library. Name the library and right-click it to select Properties. Click Include a folder and add any folders you want to access from one place. Libraries aggregate multiple folder locations under a single virtual folder and appear in the File Explorer navigation pane. This method is ideal for grouping related project folders, media collections, or work directories without modifying the registry.

Step 3

Use This PC Tweaker to add folders with a graphical interface

Download This PC Tweaker, a free portable tool that lets you add or remove custom folders from the This PC view using a simple GUI. Launch the tool, click Add Custom Folder, browse to the folder you want to add, and set a display name and icon. Click Apply and the folder appears in This PC immediately. The tool handles all registry entries automatically and lets you remove custom entries just as easily. It is the best option for users who want registry-level customization without manually editing the registry.

Step 4

Add entries manually through the Windows Registry for full control

Open Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Start menu. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace. Create a new key with a unique CLSID in braces. Then create supporting entries under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID with the same CLSID, setting the folder path in the DefaultIcon and InProcServer32 values. This method gives you complete control over the display name, icon, sort order, and behavior of the custom entry. Export the registry keys to a .reg file for backup and easy re-application after Windows updates.

Step 5

Remove or modify custom entries if they cause issues

If a custom entry causes File Explorer crashes, slow startup, or broken links, open Registry Editor and navigate to the NameSpace key under MyComputer. Delete the CLSID key for the problematic entry. Also delete the matching entries under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID. Restart File Explorer from Task Manager or restart the computer. If you used a third-party tool, open the tool and use its Remove option instead of editing the registry directly.

What to do next if this fails

Move to the next fix instead of repeating the same step multiple times.
Check the related guides in this cluster before attempting a full reset.
If startup, update, and corruption symptoms overlap, widen the diagnosis instead of treating one error in isolation.

FAQ

Can I add any folder to This PC in File Explorer?

Yes. You can add any local folder, network share, or even shortcuts to applications. The registry method works with any valid folder path. However, network locations may cause File Explorer to show loading indicators if the network is slow or the share is unavailable when you open This PC.

Is it safer to use Quick Access or Libraries instead of registry edits?

Yes. Pinning folders to Quick Access or creating custom Libraries achieves a similar goal without any registry modification risk. Quick Access appears at the top of the File Explorer navigation pane, and Libraries can aggregate multiple folders under one virtual folder. Both methods survive Windows updates without any maintenance.

Will adding custom entries to This PC survive Windows updates?

Major Windows feature updates occasionally reset shell namespace registry entries. If your custom entries disappear after an update, you need to re-add the registry keys. Using a tool like This PC Tweaker makes it easy to re-apply your customizations. Exporting your registry entries to a .reg file before updates provides a quick restore option.

Can I change the icons for custom entries in This PC?

Yes. The registry method includes a DefaultIcon value where you specify an icon file and index. You can use any .ico file or reference an icon inside a .dll file. If you do not set a custom icon, Windows uses the default folder icon.