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
    2025-01-08T14:24:43+00:00

    **@**Mats Tengnér,

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS!!! I can't tell you how aggravated I've been with the jumbled up list, and cannot for the life of me understand why MS didn't default uncheck "show all folders" for everyone!!! Thank you again!!!! You win the internet today in my book!!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-01-02T20:09:49+00:00

    Hello! I just read three pages worth of comments and then tried something different - and it worked.

    So if you're still having this issue, try RIGHT clicking and HOLDING the item you want to move in the lineup. Then when you release, it should stay in it's place!! Tricky microsoft!! Good luck!

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-12-22T17:59:35+00:00

    This works & is very easy to do:

    1. Open File Explorer (Win + E)
    2. Drag & Drop folder, within the 'Quick Access' section, of the Navigation Pane (left side of File Explorer)
    3. Place them in the order that suits you.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-11-14T06:41:34+00:00

    I ran into this problem also and no solutions worked but I found one which did after some experimentation.

    Windows 11 Home 23H2

    In Explorer check:

    "..." -> Options -> View -> Show Network

    and

    "..." -> Options -> View -> Show This PC

    If BOTH of those are unchecked you will be unable to manually arrange the quick access folders. I had to check at least one of those items to be able to manually arrange the quick access folders.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-10-26T22:24:56+00:00

    You’re a **** genius, I logged into my account here just to tell you how much I love you

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