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
    2023-09-29T13:07:58+00:00

    Hey Ron!

    My name is Ravi, an independent advisor and expert user. I am happy to help you. :)

    Please try following these steps to restore Quick Access:

    1. Open File Explorer.
    2. Click on the "View" tab at the top.
    3. Click on "Options" on the right side.
    4. In the "Folder Options" window that appears, select the "General" tab.
    5. Under the "Privacy" section, check the box next to "Show recently used files in Quick access".
    6. Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.

    Feel free to get in touch again if you have any additional questions.

    Cheers,
    Ravi

    Hi Ravi,

    With the new File Explorer, there is now "Options" when you click on the view tab at the top. It is located by clicking on the three dots to the right of view and filter. There is also no "Show recently used files in Quick access" option

    Thank you for your help, I resolved it in a far more complicated way which I will post here

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-09-29T13:24:16+00:00

    An update on this as I spent a lot of time going around in circles trying to resolve this.

    I did have an Azure account which I had no idea I had created, I never used it and was unaware it was an account on my PC.

    In resolving this issue, I tried signing out of the Azure account everywhere, but this did not work as I now had an error message in File Explorer insisting I log back in.

    I tried logging in with my personal account, but this was rejected as it was a personal account.

    I uninstalled the update, yet the new file explorer was still in place when the uninstall was completed. This shouldn't have happened as it should have returned to the old file explorer.

    I went into settings > accounts, and the other account I did not want or use was listed in "accounts used by other apps", it would not let me delete the account from there. Bad show Microsoft...

    I then had to go to settings > accounts > Access work or school account and then could remove the account from here. Point of very frustrating note - this inability to click an account and remove it from the menu, app, or setting that you are at is exactly why I cannot get to grips with IOS, and it is really disappointing to see this style of global settings start appearing in Microsoft products.

    This still did not work, I tried a reboot, and the login request disappeared which was a sign of progress, but still no quick access.

    Tried re-installing the update, but it still didn't work

    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

    Hope this helps anyone else stuck

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-11-07T07:39:17+00:00

    "Options" is not an option. Can't grab a screen shot because the dropdown is not persistent. Options offerered are:
    Tiles

    Content

    Details pane

    Preview pane

    Show > Navigation pane

             Compact view

         Item check boxes

         File name extentions

         Hidden items

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-11-16T06:10:19+00:00

    WRONG. First Privacy selection says 'Show recently used files" NO MENTION OF QUICK ACCESS. SELECTING IT DOES NOT BRING BACK QUICK ACCESS.

    You guys really messed up this time. You do not learn. Do I have to tell you the story of New Coke again???

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