How to stop folders from automatically adding into Quick access please?

The Quick Access being referred to in this forum is for the Quick Access in the Windows Explorer Folder Navigation Pane.

Some Constructive Criticism

As a general statement, MOST answers on these types of forums do not work for 90% of the people.

Your replys' first item loses people just to start.

Start with assuming a person is looking at an Explorer File Folder as they would be for this type of question. Your asnswer calls looking for options with 3 Dots! so as a person looks for this there is confusion, 2nd items calls for something you call Folder Option Dialog again confusion. How many people know what a Folder Option Dialog box is if its not specifically written on what you can see.

Simply say the actual items you have to do.

1. Click on "FILE" tab from any File Explorer Window. THIS IS THE ACTUAL THING you need to do. in your explanation this is not mentioned. Why would you leave this out?
2. Click on "Change Folder and Search Options". This is left out in your explanation i have no idea why or my window 10 system is the only on that has this.

Good rest of way. But IMO these google search supported answers are more frustrating then helpful when the first directions items do not make sense

TY

Sorry, but how the heck do we make sure that the General tab is "active"?

I'm guessing you what you meant to say was

"1. Click the first three dots on the 2nd row of Explorer (btw, Explorer has THREE sets of dots on TWO bars, maddening - STOP with all the stupid dots please!),

2. Select Options from the drop down menu,
3. Then click the General tab in the Folders Options popup (notice that "Options" is now called "Folders Options" - no one is checking for inconsistencies anymore), then
4. Uncheck "Show Frequently used folders"?

If so, this does not work. File Explorer still shows the dumb folders in "Home". Even worse, Office programs show them as "pinned folders" and there doesn't seem to be anything we can do to stop that. Microsoft keeps making all these unnecessary, unwanted & unhelpful "improvements". Seriously, it's like they put a bunch of hyperactive 12 year olds in charge of their designs.

p.s., don't bother telling me to submit feedback - all the links to Feedback in Office don't work.

Hi! I'm Laurice, an Independent Advisor. I am more than happy to help you out. :)

File Explorer adds these folders that you often use. To stop the folders from showing in Quick Access:

1. Click the See more menu (the three dots icon) and select Options.
2. On the Folder Options dialog, make sure the General tab is active.
3. In the Privacy section, uncheck the Show frequently used folders and Show recently used files in Quick Access in Quick Access box.
4. Click Clear next to Clear File Explorer history.
   Click OK.

Please let me know if you need any further assistance.

This is not only incredibly unhelpful.. like most canned Microsoft tech support responses... it not only does not work but it did not even address the original complaint/ question. The User did not ask how to clear the folder/ files being displayed in Quick Access once they show up.. he asked how to turn off the annoying Quick Access from even showing up at all in the file explorer pane in the first place

In Windows 10, clearing the Folder options for "Show Recently used files in Quick Access" in the General\Privacy section does not do ****. New files still show up and you have to clear them every time. This is a half baked solution Microsoft released because even if you DELETE those files, unless you clear the file explorer history; they still show in Quick Access.. which is stupid and defeats the point of having the Quick Access feature. It's supposed to give you quick access to the files and folders you use frequently. If those files and folders are deleted, they should not still be showing up in Quick Access... but they do.