Libraries Listed Under Desktop in the Navigation Pane in Windows 7?

The navigation pane in Windows 7 lists Libraries as a separate category by default, as in the picture below:

In some systems, Libraries may be listed under Desktop, and users may be wondering why it’s listed so all of a sudden, or think it may be due to inadvertent dragging of Desktop icon over Libraries or vice-versa. It’s not so. There is a simple (but overlooked) setting for the navigation pane where in you can choose to show all folders or not.



Simply right-click on a blank space in the navigation area, and uncheck "Show all folders".

Alternately, you may change this setting via Folder Options applet as well. Refer Working with the Navigation pane at the Microsoft site.


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Ramesh Srinivasan is passionate about Microsoft technologies and he has been a consecutive ten-time recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award in the Windows Shell/Desktop Experience category, from 2003 to 2012. He loves to troubleshoot and write about Windows. Ramesh founded Winhelponline.com in 2005.

3 thoughts on “Libraries Listed Under Desktop in the Navigation Pane in Windows 7?”

  1. Have missed regularly seeing your always-helpful stuff via e-mail subscription, as the second excellent post of this week reminds. Thank you Mr. Srinivasan!

    Reply
  2. I do not have a Library Pane and I do not have the option to turn it on. How can I get the Library Pane as a main heading?

    Reply

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