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

191 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2024-03-01T22:47:07+00:00

    You've got to love the responses that requires hours of your time to try something they know isn't going to help. Reinstalling windows is a horrible solution.

    The old file explorer was not flawed.

    I used to have an organized file cabinet where i could findanything i needed fast, but with windows 11. It feels like i emptied my file cabinet on the floor and proceeded to shuffle all the papers together.

    Hey Microsoft, do I really need to get a 3rd party app to do the most important core function in windows? Seems like the dumbest **** ever.

    Was this answer helpful?

    5 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-10-01T15:02:17+00:00

    OKAY. IT IS NOT ON THE GENERAL TAB IT WAS UNDER THE VIEW TAB WHERE I UNCHECKED THE SHOW ALL FOLDERS BOX all the way at the bottom. AND IT FINALLY WORKED. OMG. EVERYTIME I THINK I HAVE REACHED MY WATERLOO I STUMBLE ACROSS THE RIGHT THING. AND SINCE A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS, HERE IT IS.

    Was this answer helpful?

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-10-01T14:46:14+00:00

    No, it only allows me to copy. It will not simply let me move the folder to where I want. I don't understand why this is even not an option. I have literally been struggling with this all day. I know I will have to just settle and "live with it." But it really is a hassle I should not have to live with.

    Like how is it that a company the size of Microsoft cannot make a meeting software that is even one tenth as good as Zoom. It's like it does everything that zoom does, only less well. Don't believe me? Let me count the ways. I will post it somewhere else becuase it is off topic here.

    Right now, I just decided to bite the bullet and switch to Windows 11 because I wanted to avoid a repeat of the Windows 8.1 debacle which -- though it was 10 years ago -- still is an open gaping wound in my psyche.

    Was this answer helpful?

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-08-20T17:15:00+00:00

    No dice.

    NO, ZERO items are checked on View Tab and it doesn't allow me to arrange folders.

    Was this answer helpful?

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2023-05-10T18:16:20+00:00

    That's what I used to do, but after the update it no longer works for me

    Was this answer helpful?

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments