Quick Access not showing in navigation pane since Windows 11 update

Anonymous
2022-10-07T05:34:35+00:00

I updated to the latest version of Windows 11 yesterday. When I opened File Explorer, Quick access and recent files/folders were showing to the right of the window, but the Quick Access folder option was missing from the navigation panel on the left. So if I click away from this Window I've lost Quick Access. How do I re-enable Quick Access to the left part of the navigation pane?

Please look at the screenshot before replying. Quick Access is enabled in view mode options and can be seen, but is missing from the left side of the navigation pane.

Thanks for any help.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-03-06T00:55:36+00:00

    Totally agree...it wasn't broken...why fix it?!!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-03-04T04:22:17+00:00

    How is it possible for a 40 year old company to get even more mediocre than they are and survive. Quick access is now gone. Their stupid AI Co-pilot doesn't have a clue on how to fix it, and I can see from reading this thread, there is no fix. They have just done what MSFT always does, jump in the toilet and pull down the lid.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-02-18T23:30:49+00:00

    This is messed up!

    Home has only:

    • "Recommended" which apears to come mostly from emails, but opens WEB version of outlook to view, even though the Desktop version is running.
    • Favorites: says "After you've favorited some files we'll show them here (files - NOT folders!!!)
    • Recent: All recent files - no folders

    Right clicking a folder still has "Pin to Quick Access" except nothing happens! There's no place I can find to pin frequently used folders, unless I add them to the limited space and crowded Start Menu or Taskbar.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-02-02T03:05:05+00:00

    How can I start a petition to "Bring Back the File Cabinet Metaphor". MS has gone out of its way to force us to use their cloud and make Windows simple for idiots while people who use it daily, not even power users, are hamstrung by marketing wiseguys.

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-01-27T17:31:04+00:00

    To see your Quick Access items in the lefthand nav bar:

    You must unclick "Show All Folders" by right-clicking in the empty space on the lefthand nav (easiest at the bottom), then in the list of 5 items that popup make sure to uncheck "Show All Folders". Or uncheck in Options-->"View" tab-->"Navigation pane" at the bottom of the list-->"Show all folders" make sure to uncheck.

    Show Libraries simply adds a folder icon that when clicked shows the default system libraries and has no effect on showing Quick Access items in the lefthand nav. Same with Show Network, just adds an expandable icon.

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