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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

800+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

202 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2023-12-20T23:38:22+00:00

    Ok so i figured it out - for me atleast.

    On the left hand side, scroll to the bottom of the folders list into the blank space just below your last folder and the "x items" ribbon. Right-click the empty space, when you do it correctly a flyout will appear with three options:

    Show Libraries

    Show All Folders

    Expand to Current Folder

    "show all folders" probably has a tick next to it - Uncheck it. The sidebar will go blank (or only show one folder) for a few seconds and voila - all is right with the world once more.

    I have no idea why that became the default for explorer and why that option is buried in such an unintuitive place. Such a ridiculous problem for MS to make. Anyway hope that works for everyone - im glad to have my quick access bar back!

    Was this answer helpful?

    7 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-12-21T02:40:53+00:00

    OMG, That finally is something that worked and brought back Quick Access on the left-hand folder list! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-12-21T14:16:51+00:00

    Microsoft should have done a user survey before they decided to remove it (will check at home later to find out if my employer may have removed Quick Access at work), I am disappointed, the quick access links helped me a lot in Windows 10)

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-12-23T12:25:14+00:00

    Had the same issue. Had to use the Bing Chat GPT to finally find a solution. I attached the solution it gave me.

    Keep in mind that this will clear all of your favorite folders and apps from Quick Access/Favorites, but it actually allows you to see items in Quick Access/Favorites again, so you are able to re-add your favorites/pinned stuff.

    It seems like your Quick Access cache is corrupted or outdated. You can try to clear it by deleting some files from a hidden folder. To do that, follow these steps:

    • Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
    • Type %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations and hit Enter.
    • This will open a folder with some files that have long names ending with .automaticDestinations-ms. These are the files that store the Quick Access data.
    • Select all the files in the folder and press Delete to remove them. You may need to confirm the deletion or provide administrator permission.
    • Close the folder and restart your computer

    Here's the copypasta for the shortcut without formatting:

    %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments