Windows 10: How to add custom folders to File Explorer > Navigation Pane > Desktop

After installing Dropbox, I notice that there's now a custom link to the Dropbox folder in my File Explorer > Navigation Pane > Desktop list (see screenshot below).

Does anyone know how I can add such (sym?)links to other directories on the computer?

Specifically looking for ways to add to list in the "Desktop" section of Navigation Pane... not the "Quick access" list.





My thinking is... I'd like to consolidate shortcuts to my custom cloud storage folders. Right now there's OneDrive (built in to W10) and Dropbox, and I'd like to add similar links for my Google Drive, Amazon Cloud Drive, etc. directories. Trying to have them all appear together under "Desktop", rather than split between Desktop and Quick Access.

:)

 

File Explorer This PC view (Adding folders or shortcuts too)

How to Add a Custom Folder under "This PC" in File Explorer Navigation Pane? tells you how to add a custom folder manually
in Windows 10.

 

How can I remove icons from the File Explorer navigation pane?

When I enable this option: File Explorer-->View-->Navigation pane-->Show all folders (checked)

My navigation pane looks like this:
http://i.imgur.com/OqiBFIr.png

It lists many items as being on my Desktop but none of them should be there because my Desktop is literally completely empty, I don't keep any files or folders or shortcuts on my desktop.

When I disable this option: File Explorer-->View-->Navigation pane-->Show all folders (not checked)

My navigation pane looks like this:
http://i.imgur.com/aDAj8Ll.png

How do I get rid of the Dropbox and OneDrive icons? I don't want to uninstall them I just want to remove these icons. The top level of the navigation pane should be reserved for top level system icons not for any any folders that some program decides to
stick there.

 

Lots of good info here:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/lib...or=-2147217396

Keith

 

This might sound stupid but try to move these things to your main desktop screen and then they should show up there as well.



As you can see in the picture I only have 2 things on my desktop which are the (Recycling bin)and a folder named 111 and in that folder I have a second folder named 222. And when I open up the file explorer window it show on the left side Quick access and then a little drop down arrow and then a desktop also with little drop down arrow. After click to make shore quick access is closed I then make shore desktop is open or expanded. And then I see "Onedrive","then User Account","This PC","Libraries","USB Drive","Network","Control Panel","Recycling Bin","111" now back in the day with computer running window xp and some other windows you would automatically see the icons on the desktop for things like Control panel and this pc and even some icons for a dial up connect that you would need to double click and then hear that anoying dialing sound. Well now with newer windows versions they kind of can hide those icons now that's why there in that section. So if you look at my desktop its all nice and clean but with the folder icon for 111 and the recycling bin.

All you would need to do is make shore all the programs you want to show up on your desktop section on the left are on your main screen.Its simple. And if you don't want to show all of the icons all you need to do is just right click on your screen on a blank spot on your desktop and click on "View" and uncheck show desktop icons. And then they will all hide to show a clean background but they will still be on your desktop list.

I know this is long winded but I hope this helps.