I cannot find Quick Access in the new updated file explorer.

Anonymous
2023-09-27T14:02:02+00:00

I completed the latest Windows update this morning and opened File Explorer, and the quick access was missing. I can still add files to quick access, but it is nowhere to be seen. When I search the internet, they refer to how great the new file explorer is. Without quick access, it is pretty useless to me, and I want to find out how to get it back.

I do not have AAD. However, the descriptions I see on the internet imply that I am looking at the AAD version and not the consumer version. A lot of the information to describe the new file explorer states the following "Users signed in with Azure Active Directory (AAD) will see a recommended files strip with thumbnail previews. Consumer devices will only show the “Quick Access”, “Favorites” and “Recent” sections."

I wish to see the “Quick Access”, “Favorites” and “Recent” sections." but cannot work out how to do it.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update

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Anonymous
2023-09-29T08:01:11+00:00

Hi,
Same problem here.
Under Privacy, here is just no such setting. All I can see is:
Image

What can I do now? I just can't pin anything. Can't add folders to Home. Best I can do is pin them to Start which is far from ideal.

Thanks

Quentin

I fixed this by un-checking the Show Recommended Section option.

Quick access tiles are back, but they are now arranged in a horizontal list. Seems like a couple of bugs here. But at least I have my quick action icons back.

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-04-24T17:11:45+00:00

    Try this.

    1. Open File Explorer.
    2. Click on "Options" on the right side. The 3 Dots next to VIEW, the 3 Dots are more to my left in File Explorer.
    3. In the "Folder Options" window that appears, select the "General" tab.

    4. UNCHECK all the boxes under PRIVACY and click APPLY.

    5. Click Ok.

    6. CLOSE the File Explorer window and REOPEN it.

    7. Go to Folder Options again......

    8. CHECK the box for "Show recently used files" and click APPLY.

    9. CHECK "Show Frequently used folders" and click APPLY.

    10.You can do the same thing with "Show Recommended Section" if that's something you use but I don't.

    11.CHECK "Include account-based insights, favorite, and recommended files" and click APPLY.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-04-24T15:45:20+00:00

    I then cleared the quick access cache from the customdestinations and automaticdestinations and finally, the quick access reappeared and allowed me to select my quick access files

    How did you clear it and then what? Restart?

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-04-17T20:47:45+00:00

    Go to the View folder options > Privacy. Uncheck recent files. Close all explorer windows. Recheck recent files and you will see all the quick access links under Home.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-04-13T19:32:30+00:00

    That didn't work for me. Expand did absolutely nothing. Quick Access is still not in the Navigation Pane, only in the main window. And I can't rearrange my files in the main window. For those who have the "Show Recommended Section" grayed out, I guess you guys are screwed. I just want my file explorer back the way it was! Microsoft needs to learn the saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" And right in the middle of this, Microsoft pops up asking me to run new updates! Yeah right - they've already caused enough issues. In spite of my name, I'm normally not a "karen," but I guess I'm being one today! I have care plans, clinicals and exams and NO MORE TIME FOR MICROSOFT!!

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