Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
System Folders Customizer is a free, portable Windows utility that places shortcuts to system folders and Control Panel applets in This PC (called Computer in older Windows releases), Libraries, or the Desktop. You choose items with checkboxes, select Save Changes, and Windows exposes them as convenient one-click entries. Reset Changes or clearing the checkboxes removes the additions.
Version 1.0 is listed as a 204 KB freeware download that does not require installation. The documented testing covers Windows 7 in both 32-bit and 64-bit editions. The publisher also says it works on Windows 10 and Windows 11, but that statement is a compatibility claim rather than a current independent test on every modern Windows build.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What System Folders Customizer does
Windows keeps many useful locations behind several layers of navigation. A Control Panel applet may require opening Control Panel, switching views, and finding the right category; a system folder may be buried under a user profile or administrative location. System Folders Customizer adds direct shell shortcuts for those destinations.
The shortcuts are access points, not replacements for the underlying Windows components. Selecting Device Manager, for example, exposes a shortcut to Device Manager; it does not install a second device-management tool. Likewise, adding Windows Update or Network places a convenient entry in the selected shell location without moving your files.
#1 Best Overall
- 14" diagonal, 1366x768 resolution, HD BrightView LED, Glossy NON-TOUCH Display
The utility is aimed at people who repeatedly open the same Windows settings, support technicians who need a compact set of administrative links, and anyone who prefers a visible desktop or This PC layout over searching through menus.
Where you can place the shortcuts
| Destination | What it changes | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Computer / This PC | Adds entries to the main File Explorer computer view. The label depends on the Windows version. | Keep frequently used system locations beside drives and standard folders. |
| Libraries | Adds selected system destinations to the Libraries area. | Group work-related Windows locations with your normal library navigation. |
| Desktop | Creates shortcuts visible directly on the desktop. | Give yourself one-click access without opening File Explorer first. |
On newer Windows versions, the same Explorer location is normally called This PC; older documentation and the utility’s interface may call it Computer or My Computer. That naming difference does not represent a different feature.
What you can add
The documented selection lists combine system folders, Windows settings, and Control Panel applets. Depending on the destination tab and Windows edition, examples include:
- Internet Explorer and other legacy system entries.
- Important system folders.
- Windows Update.
- Network and Network and Sharing Center.
- Backup and Restore.
- Device Manager.
- Personalization.
- User Accounts.
- Display.
- AutoPlay.
- Power Options.
- Administrative Tools.
These are shortcuts to Windows’ own locations. Some names are legacy Control Panel labels, so an item can open a familiar classic page even when Windows 10 or 11 also provides a newer Settings app equivalent.
Requirements, size, and portability
Small, installation-free package
Softpedia’s version 1.0 listing reports a 204 KB file and freeware licensing. The program is described as portable: run its executable without a setup wizard, and carry that executable on removable storage if desired. Because it is not installed through a conventional installer, there is no documented uninstall process; deleting the executable removes the utility itself, while shortcuts it already created must be removed through the program’s controls or manually.
Operating-system evidence
The strongest version-specific documentation is historical. Softpedia lists Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit support, and the release material records testing on those editions. A later publisher article says the utility works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. That later statement is useful guidance, but it is not a reproducible, current test across every Windows 10 or Windows 11 update, edition, or policy configuration. Treat modern compatibility as something to verify on the machine where you intend to use it.
Security and maintenance checks
The available descriptions do not establish that the executable is digitally signed, actively maintained, or covered by a current independent malware audit. Before running an old portable utility, obtain it from a source you trust, scan the file with your security software, and review any Windows SmartScreen warning rather than bypassing warnings automatically. The documented material also does not provide a current official download URL, a cryptographic hash, or a recent release beyond version 1.0.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsHow to add entries
- Get the executable. Download the version 1.0 portable file from a source you trust and save it somewhere you can find again. No installation wizard is required.
- Launch the program. Open the executable. If Windows asks for confirmation because the file came from the internet or removable media, verify that you intended to run it before proceeding.
- Choose a destination tab. Open the tab for Computer/This PC, Libraries, or Desktop, depending on where you want the shortcuts.
- Select the items. Tick the checkboxes for the folders or applets you want. Use the program’s Select All option when you genuinely want the full list; a smaller selection is easier to scan later.
- Commit the change. Click Save Changes. The utility writes the shell configuration needed for Windows to display the selected entries.
- Refresh the shell. Open the destination and check for the new shortcuts. If desktop entries do not appear immediately, restart Windows Explorer (or sign out and back in) and check again; the publisher specifically warns that an Explorer restart may be necessary.
Repeat the process for another destination if you want the same item in more than one place. A selection made on one tab should be treated as a change to that destination, not as an automatic copy to every other location.
Understanding the additional options
Softpedia describes five area tabs and several utility-wide controls. Their exact presentation can vary with the Windows edition, but the documented functions are:
Rank #2
- 256 GB SSD of storage.
- Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM
- Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
- Enable or disable My Computer: controls whether the computer-view destination is used for the selected entries.
- Run at Windows startup: launches the utility when Windows starts. This is an optional convenience, not a requirement for the shortcuts to remain visible.
- Select All: checks every available item in the current list.
- Add the program to the desktop context menu: places a launch command in the right-click menu so you can open the utility without browsing to its executable.
- Reset settings to defaults: restores the utility’s default configuration and provides a broad rollback path.
Running at startup is worth enabling only if you frequently change these selections. If you set the layout once and rarely alter it, leaving startup disabled avoids another background or login-time action.
How to remove shortcuts and undo changes
Remove selected entries
- Launch System Folders Customizer again.
- Open the tab for the location containing the unwanted shortcut.
- Clear that item’s checkbox.
- Click Save Changes and refresh Explorer or the desktop if the old icon remains visible.
Use Reset Changes
When you want to undo the utility’s changes broadly, choose Reset Changes (also described as resetting settings to defaults in the utility’s options). This is faster than locating every checkbox, but it may remove several custom entries at once. Review the destination after resetting so you can confirm that only the intended shell additions disappeared.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
If an icon remains
Explorer caches parts of the shell view. Restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager, sign out and in, or reboot if a removed shortcut still appears. If you manually deleted or moved a shortcut outside the utility, use the utility’s reset controls first, then refresh the shell before making another change.
Practical layouts
A troubleshooting desktop
For a support-oriented desktop, select Device Manager, Network, Windows Update, Backup and Restore, and Power Options. These cover common driver, connectivity, update, recovery, and power tasks without filling the desktop with unrelated entries.
An administration-focused This PC view
Administrative Tools, User Accounts, Personalization, Display, and Network and Sharing Center make a useful set for configuring a workstation. Place them in This PC when you want the links alongside drives, or in Libraries when you want to keep the desktop clear.
A minimal everyday setup
Choose only the two or three applets you open repeatedly. A short list is easier to recognize and reduces the chance of launching an old Control Panel page when a current Settings page would be more appropriate.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 considerations
System Folders Customizer was released when Windows 7 was the documented test target, and several listed destinations have since been redesigned. Windows 10 and Windows 11 may redirect some classic applets to Settings, hide legacy components, or apply organizational policies that affect visibility. The publisher’s claim of Windows 10/11 support therefore should be read as compatibility guidance, not a guarantee that every listed item will behave identically on every build.
Check each shortcut after saving. If one opens a modern Settings page, that is a Windows behavior change rather than evidence that the shortcut was placed incorrectly. If an item does nothing, disappears after an update, or is blocked by policy, remove it and use the corresponding built-in Settings path or an administrator-approved management tool.
Troubleshooting checklist
- Nothing appears on the desktop: confirm that you selected the Desktop tab, clicked Save Changes, and restarted Explorer.
- The shortcut is in the wrong place: return to the matching destination tab; Computer/This PC, Libraries, and Desktop are separate targets.
- Changes seem to vanish: verify that you are using the same Windows user account and that a system-cleanup or policy tool is not reverting shell settings.
- An applet opens a different page: Windows may have redirected a legacy Control Panel component to Settings or removed the old component.
- You want a clean slate: use Reset Changes, refresh Explorer, and then add back only the entries you still need.
- Windows blocks execution: do not disable security protections reflexively. Recheck the download source and scan the file; the available documentation does not provide a current signature or independent security certification.
How it compares with other shortcut tools
If you are deciding whether this small utility fits your workflow, compare alternatives on the features that affect day-to-day use:
Rank #3
- WINDOWS 11 | STABLE PERFORMANCE: Powered by Intel Celeron N4020 processor and Windows 11 system, this laptop delivers stable performance for everyday computing tasks. It supports web browsing, online learning, document editing, email communication, and basic office work with optimized power efficiency, providing a practical and reliable experience for essential daily use for daily use.
- 15.6” FHD IPS DISPLAY: Features a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with narrow bezels, offering wider viewing angles and clearer image details compared to standard panels. The improved screen-to-body ratio enhances visual experience for study, reading, document work, and video playback, making it suitable for both productivity and entertainment use.
- 4GB DDR4 + 128GB eMMC STORAGE: Equipped with 4GB DDR4 memory and 128GB eMMC storage for everyday basics such as browsing, documents, email, and online learning platforms. The built-in TF card slot supports storage expansion up to 1TB, giving you more flexibility for files, photos, videos, and daily documents. TF card not included.
- CONNECTIVITY & PORTS: Includes 1× TF card slot, 2× USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, and 2× full-featured Type-C ports (USB 3.2 Gen1). The Type-C ports support data transfer, charging, and video output, enabling flexible connection with external devices such as monitors, storage, and peripherals for daily work and study use.
- LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN | ONLINE COMMUNICATION: Designed with a slim, portable profile, this laptop is easy to carry for school, commuting, and travel. A built-in 1MP front camera supports online classes, video meetings, remote communication, and everyday conferencing. The 3300mAh battery works with the low-power system design to support practical daily use, while thermal optimization helps maintain quieter operation during extended tasks.
- Destination coverage: whether the tool reaches This PC, Libraries, and Desktop, rather than only one location.
- System-item breadth: how many folders and Control Panel applets it exposes.
- Portability: whether it runs without installation and how much storage it needs.
- Rollback: whether there is a clear reset command in addition to manual deletion.
- Compatibility evidence: which Windows versions were actually tested and when.
- Maintenance recency: whether the project has releases or documentation newer than the version 1.0 material.
- Security verification: whether the executable is signed and independently scanned.
System Folders Customizer is strongest when you want a tiny, portable checkbox interface and straightforward shell shortcuts. Its age and limited modern testing evidence are the trade-offs to weigh before deploying it broadly.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Who should use it
Use it when you need quick access to a handful of Windows folders or classic Control Panel applets and are comfortable validating an older portable executable on your own system. It is especially practical for a personal workstation, a removable troubleshooting toolkit, or a carefully curated desktop.
Choose built-in Windows navigation instead when you need guaranteed support on a managed fleet, formal security documentation, centralized policy control, or behavior that is aligned with the latest Windows Settings redesign. The utility does not replace those administrative controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does System Folders Customizer install anything?
No installer is required. Version 1.0 is described as a 204 KB portable executable that can be run from local or removable storage; the shell shortcuts it creates are managed separately through the utility’s save and reset controls.
Will it definitely work on my current Windows 11 build?
No guarantee is documented. Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit testing is explicitly recorded, while Windows 10 and Windows 11 support comes from the publisher’s compatibility statement rather than a current independent test of every build.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Do I need to leave the program running after saving?
No ongoing session is described as necessary. The program writes the selected shell changes; the optional Run at Windows startup setting is for convenience when you expect to edit the configuration frequently.
Can I add the same system item to more than one location?
Yes, select it on each destination tab where you want a shortcut, save the change, and refresh Explorer or the desktop if necessary.
Is there a physical product or accessory required?
No. This is downloadable Windows software, so no hardware, disc, or other physical product is required.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
