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

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-05-27T18:04:30+00:00

    Good Gawd! After reading 8 zillion posts, your solution works!

    Why on Earth (or in some subterranean cavernous pit) did Microsoft think that screwing up and re-ordering everything that used to work pretty well in File Explorer was a good idea? And then, even better, NOT TELLING ANYONE HOW OR WHY THEY DID IT! Let alone telling us how to do what we used to do or, "what the fix is for something that didn't used to be broken?!?!?!?!?!"

    I just bought an iPad. I now only use a Win11 machine at work and that's only because I have to.

    And a footnote that shouldn't surprise me... I just had to edit my profile name several times to get the Submit button to accept my name.

    Sigh... Skynet lives.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-05-17T20:04:28+00:00

    After spending 2 hours on this, I can now sort folders in Quick Access.

    First I have unchecked "Show this PC", reboot : no luck, I was still stuck.

    Then I have unpinned 5 folders, going from 18 pinned folders to 13 : miracle, I can now reorder folders !

    Can't offer any guaranty it will work for you; still worth a try. Good luck !

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-04-30T14:06:47+00:00

    Why would microsoft remove the ability to reorder these folders?!!

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-04-22T04:46:39+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.

    Worked for me too, thank you!

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-12-15T06:48:19+00:00

    Hello thistlillo75

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    I am now using the new version File Explorer and I am able to sort the items in Quick Access with any order I want, so I guess the "evil creature"

    which you mentioned, could be the cause of the issue. I think we can try a Windows clean boot first, to see if we can temporarily disable it.

    How to perform a clean boot in Windows - Microsoft Support

    Disclaimer: A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background program is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem. <br><br>These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by step so that it will help you get you back on track.

    Best Regards,

    Tommy-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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