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.

0 comments No comments

191 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2024-05-12T14:29:27+00:00

    Hey- share the frustration, for experts, they have made enough customizations that a reinstall is a 3- or 4-day undertaking. Even if one documents all the changes.

    In my hands, I can reorder the QA items by going to the left explorer bar. It works if I go to Folder Options (under 3 dots) → View → Navigation Pane and thereunder deselect all but "Show This PC"

    good luck-

    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.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Deleted

    This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.


    Comments have been turned off. Learn more

  3. Anonymous
    2024-05-12T14:20:59+00:00

    If you click on Home then all your quick access should appear in the listing of Home

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2024-05-06T13:22:14+00:00

    glad it works for others. yes, once you have reordered, checking boxes under Nav Pane doesn't seem to change anything.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  5. Anonymous
    2024-05-06T08:39:01+00:00

    Works for me. Checking the "Show all folders" box retains the new order

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments