This PC Shell Namespace Extensions Registry Paths

This article provides the exact Windows Registry locations where shell namespace extensions for ‘This PC’ (formerly known as ‘My Computer’) are registered. It outlines the specific system-wide and user-specific Registry keys responsible for adding, modifying, or removing items displayed inside the ‘This PC’ folder in Windows File Explorer.

Primary Registry Locations

In Windows, the items displayed under ‘This PC’ are defined as Shell Namespace Extensions. These extensions are represented as unique Class Identifiers (CLSIDs / GUIDs) stored under the following Registry paths:

1. System-Wide Extensions (All Users)

For 64-bit applications and default system-wide extensions: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace

For 32-bit applications on a 64-bit Windows installation: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace

2. User-Specific Extensions (Current User Only)

Extensions defined only for the currently logged-in user are located here: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace

How It Works

  1. GUID Keys: Under the NameSpace key, each subkey is named after a specific GUID (for example, {0DB7E03F-FC29-4DC6-9020-FF41B59E513A}).
  2. CLSID Lookup: Windows uses these GUIDs to look up the actual extension details, icons, and shell commands defined in: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{GUID} (or HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{GUID})
  3. ‘This PC’ Root GUID: The GUID that represents ‘This PC’ itself throughout the Windows Registry is: {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

Adding a valid CLSID subkey under any of the NameSpace locations will cause that component to appear in ‘This PC’, while deleting a subkey will remove the corresponding item from the folder.