Network Folder in File Explorer Empty? Here’s How to Fix It in Windows 11!

Solution 3: Fix Empty Network Folder Issue via Registry Editor

If the previous solution has not worked, there may be a corruption in the Windows registry configuration that governs the network settings. The Registry is a central Windows database that stores all system settings, including information about network adapters, connections, and Network Explorer.

Registry Repair Steps

1. Open Registry Editor

• Press Win + R, type regedit, and then press Enter.
• If you’re prompted for admin permission, click Yes.

2. Navigate to  Problematic Key

• Enter the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Network

• Here, you’ll see several subkeys, including Config.

3. Rename or Remove Key “Config”

• Right-click on the key Config.
• Select Rename and rename it to Config_Old (for automatic backup).
• Or select Delete if you’re sure you want to delete it (Windows will create a new one on reboot).

4. Restart the Computer

After restarting, Windows will automatically recreate the key Config with the default settings.

By following this step, 90% of Network folders that are empty due to registry corruption can be repaired!

Solution 4: Create a New User Account to Isolate the Issue

When all previous solutions fail to fix an empty Network Folder in Windows 11, the problem may not lie with the system, but rather with the corrupt user profile. By creating a new account, we can determine whether:

• The problem only occurs in the old account (meaning the damage is in the user’s profile)
• Problems persist in new accounts (indication of deeper system corruption)

Steps to Create a New User Account

1. Go to System Settings

• Press Win + I to open the Settings.
• Select Accounts > Family & other users.

2. Add a New Account

• In the section “Other users”, click Add account.
• Select “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information”.
• Click “Add a user without a Microsoft account” (for local accounts).
• Enter username and password (optional), then click Next.

3. Change Access Rights to Administrator

• Click on the new account created > Change account type.
• Select Administrator > OK.

4. Log in to a New Account

• Sign out from the old account.
• Sign in with a new account created.

By applying the solutions above, ranging from restarting network services, repairing registries, to creating new accounts, you should have succeeded in restoring the Network Folder that was empty in Windows 11. This problem is annoying, but now you know that the causes can be varied, from problematic system configurations to corrupt user profiles.