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
    2024-09-16T18:56:21+00:00

    That worked. Looks like a bug to me.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-09-11T16:10:17+00:00

    Clark thank you so much. Now to be that guy, any way to get QA to the top of the nav pane? Mine shows up towards the bottom. I tried to move it and haven't figured it out yet.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-09-09T20:39:15+00:00

    Right click on the Navigation pane and select "Show Libraries."

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-08-30T20:07:04+00:00

    Oh figured out the Favorites! It does appear to be for files only though and not folders.

    1. Select a Recent file in the lower section.
    2. Click on the three dots (...) button in the menu bar
    3. Select Add to Favorites

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