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
    2024-05-12T07:17:09+00:00

    This works! Even today this option is not in View tab but under Settings -> Options -> View tab -> Navigation pane -> uncheck "View all folders"

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-04-07T02:04:37+00:00

    Finally, someone who knows how to fix this problem! This worked perfectly! On my windows 11 laptop, the Options menu is NOT under View. It is in the 3-dot menu, just to the right of View.

    Thank you for posting this answer to a very frustrating situation!

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-02-29T20:04:37+00:00

    When I try to reorder the pinned folders in Quick Access, I get a "Copy to..." hoverhelp. Right-click gives a menu but no mention of "move up/down", rearranging or reordering. I can't find any combination of keys plus left or right click that will allow me to simply move a quick access pinned folder up in the list.

    #insert<many_bad_words>

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-11-30T16:32:05+00:00

    With the Release of Windows V 22H2
    The HOME Object is the replacement for the Quick Access. It is a repository for the items that you want to appear near the top. One can Pin and Un-pin the items desired (using right click on the items). HOWEVER, the ordering of the items is by "First one in, appears at the top". So to change the order, one needs to un-pin and re-pin.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-09-14T13:33:38+00:00

    Maybe this is what everyone meant, but I didn't understand. After clearing Show All Folders, I can reorder the Quick Access items in the Navigation Pane, but not in the file list pane.

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