How to reorder items in Quick access (File explorer, Windows 11)

Anonymous
2022-12-14T15:33:05+00:00

I think my File Explorer (Windows 11) is possessed by an evil creature that enjoys rattling me. Every once in a while it decides to substitute my pinned folders with some random and mostly useless ones.

Today I decided to retry and re-organize that section of File explorer.

I am not able to sort the items I put in Quick Access. Folders are in a completely random order, not alphabetical, not based on usage. It is random.

When I try and move a folder, File Explorer put it back where it was.

This is an incredibly bad application. I fail in understanding how Microsoft is not able to provide a simple and functional File Explorer. I use also a Mac OS system and cannot belive how much better their simple Finder is. At least it enables users to organize their pinned locations as they like.

Is there anyone with a suggestion?

By the way. Besides the name, what do you think the difference between "Quick access" and "Favorites" is?

For the experts: reinstalling Windows is not an option.

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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-10-16T16:32:59+00:00

    I have to say, as the original postee, I've tried everything suggested but unfortunately nothing had worked. Maybe in Windows 12 🤣🤣

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-10-16T15:49:03+00:00

    Same problem frustrated me as well, but I found somewhere a hint which I tried, and within seconds had solved the issue.
    Open Folder options in File Explorer, go to Tab "View", scroll down to object group "Navigation pane".
    There: uncheck the box "Show all folders"
    That's all it takes, now I am fully able to arrange/rearrange/order my Qick Access objects. Still haven't found any negative bi-effects of it.

    May you be blessed with a magical day full of green street lights, no traffic, finding lost money in your pants pocket that you forgot about, your favorite songs playing on the radio, and many other joys that make a day happy. This worked after an hour of my frustrated clicking around post-update.

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  3. Les Ferch 10,361 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-10-03T12:55:16+00:00

    there is no "tab" "view" anymore, because Microsoft has disabled the ribbon and menu bar !

    Windows 10:

    View > Options > Change folder and search options > View tab

    Windows 11:

    ⋯ > Options > View tab

    The ⋯ above means click the three horizontal dots menu just to the right of the View menu.

    BTW, if you wish to switch back to the Windows 10 Explorer on Windows 11 (aka Explorer Ribbon UI) it can be done with a user profile registry setting (no administrator access required). The following free tool I wrote will apply the setting for you:

    https://lesferch.github.io/SwitchExplorer/

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-08-16T13:33:01+00:00

    Wow, it works and took 20 seconds first time for Windows to do it (process it) but worked...thousands of thanks!!! :o)

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-08-13T01:53:54+00:00

    You are a genius!

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