Windows XP: deleting shared documents folder w/o removing my documents

You can remove your shared folder by editing your registry

Actually, this is a common request. I see this was posted a month ago, but I'll post this in case anyone else reads it and is interested.

To remove your shared document folder from Windows XP Home Edition you will have to edit your Windows registry, so back up your registry first.

If you delete the wrong key, you can kill your whole computer. If you're not comfortable with editing your registry, have someone who is do it or just leave the folder there (because who knows - maybe someday you'll need it - but I'm a packrat...)

Anyhow...

1) Go to Run. (Hit the Windows Key and R or go to Start Run)

2) Type in regedit

This is the path you are going to following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\DelegateFolders

Here's how you follow the path:

3) First look for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
and click on the little plus sign to open it

Do the same for each of these: (I think you have to click that plus sign to open it unless it's already open)

4) Click on Software

5) Click on Microsoft

6) Click on Windows

7) Click on Current Version

8) Click on Explorer

9) Click on MyComputer

10) Click on NameSpace

11) Click on Delegate Folders

Then you'll see a bunch of folders with long strings of numbers and some letters. The one you want is:

59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee

Click the folder, right click, then choose delete. Poof - your shared folder should be gone.

The other keys have to do with other folders, such as scanners, portable devices, etc. If you click on them it usually lists what they are for. (For some reason my shared folder doesn't have the name inside the key - but it's the right number - I'm not deleting mine though - but don't know if your key will say "shared folder" inside it.)

I've read contrary advice whether you have to reboot or not. Guess it really is no big deal whether you do or not.

I also read that if you add the key back later, the shared folder will come back. Apparently this key is just to make it visible.

Here's advice if you have Windows 2003
http://www.betaone.net/forum/showthread.php?t=21101

Some websites suggested using Windows Power Toy called "Tweak UI" which I haven't tried...but I'm tempted right now..more than a few websites has recommended that...

And yes, I did further reading, and if you had the registry key back later, your shared file folder comes back.