This PC is gone from my file explorer navigation pane and is empty when I view it

Question

I am using Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (Version: 10.0.17134, Build: 17134), Disk managment, and viewing the navigation pane of the File Explorer it is not there. Gone.

When I try to go to This PC with the path bar I see this folder is empty. I am wondering why this has happened and if there is a fix for this issue.

Solution

You are viewing Quick Access section which is not This PC. This PC is actually a section of Desktop in the navigation pane. In Explorer - Click View tab > Navigation Pane > Show all folders.

To restore This PC icon you need to modify registry:

1. Find the key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\ShellFolder

2. If you have not already, you will need to first change the owner of the ShellFolder registry key in the left pane to be the Administrators group (by default it's SYSTEM).

3. If you have not already, you will need to second set permissions of the ShellFolder registry key in the left pane to "Allow" the Administrators group "Full control".

4. In the right pane of ShellFolder, right click or press and hold on Attributes, click/tap on Delete, and click/tap on Yes to confirm.

5. If you have a 64-bit Windows 10, open
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\ShellFolder

6. Repeat the steps 2, 3 and 4 for this key as well.

7. Restart PC.

Comments

[Ramhound]

How many individual HDDs are connected to your computer?

[Jens Lindström]

Its a laptop only 1 ssd 250gb

[Ramhound]

I assume that, prior to you noticing this behavior, "This PC" worked as expected?

[Hardoman]

You are viewing Quick Access section which is not This PC. This PC is actually a section of Desktop in the navigation pane. In Explorer - Click View tab > Navigation Pane > Show all folders