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
    2024-04-19T13:40:22+00:00

    This solution was unsuccessful.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-04-12T00:35:22+00:00

    Same for me.

    Select View Tab.

    Scroll to the bottom.

    Deselect the Show all folders option.

    And gravey.....

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-04-01T17:21:33+00:00

    YES!!! This did work!! Thank you so much!!

    Stacy

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-04-01T15:33:36+00:00

    ![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/bbaa5ad6-0ba0-4eae-afb6-3153f7b8e4c5?platform=QnA

    If none of the other methods in this thread couldn't fix the problem than try this:

    I managed to get back my Quick access and Show recently used files in File Explorer after they disappeared for some unknown reason. It's definitely a bug. I never realize how often I used both of them until they were gone.....lol.

    I followed Microsoft dude's recommendation for the first three things to do. I than added the steps i performed from number four down to get the Quick access and Recently used files back on the Files Explorer.

    1. Open File Explorer.
      2.Click on "Options" on the right side. "Options" is the 3 DOTS RIGHT next to VIEW. Hover your mouse pointer over the 3 DOTS and it will say "See more" CLICK on the 3 DOTS and "Options" is at the bottom right below "Properties"
    2. 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.

    Once I clicked APPLY on "Include account-based insights, favorite, and recommended files" my File Explorer window refreshed and all my recently used files and folders came back but my recently used files were back dated a few months.......go figure, but it works now. I haven't restarted my pc to see if the changes stick but I'll find out later today or tomorrow.

    I HOPE THIS HELPS!

    UPDATE 4/2/2024: I turned on PC this morning and my files explorer files and folders are still there. Pat on the back from me to me, sometimes I can figure things out.....sometimes.

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