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
    2023-12-25T01:01:28+00:00

    Didn't work for me ....

    I have two additional options. My full list

    • Show This PC
    • Show Network
    • Show Libraries
    • Show All Folders
    • Expand to Current Folder

    They were all checked. I unchecked them one at a time, Things changed, but I still don't have "Quick Access" in my left hand navigation.

    One thing I did is I right clicked "Home" and added Home to Quick Access. Now when I click on home, I get Qujick Access and Favorits in the main display area. This is better than before, but I still want Quick Access in the left side navigation pane.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-12-25T01:20:19+00:00

    Didn't work for me.

    There are two files that don't stay deleted ... they just reappear. So I close the folder anyway and restart, but I still don't ahve quick access.

    I wonder if I should delete CustomDestinations folders also?

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-12-27T11:50:24+00:00

    Just wanted to confirm that this worked now for me as well and Quick Access is shown as "HOME", but it is shown.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-01-01T17:02:56+00:00

    This is incorrect for Windows 11: you have to click on the ellipses button (... / 'See more') on the toolbar, then 'Options' Clicking on the 'View' button does not show 'Options'.

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