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: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2024-04-28T17:22:36+00:00

    This tip was not sufficient for me.

    I found it necessary to clear all checkboxes except show This PC under Navigation in the folders options.

    That is in my hands on Windows 11 Pro Academic (got from my school).

    I wept for joy on figuring this out.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2024-04-18T21:37:49+00:00

    OMG! That worked! What that has to do with anything, I have no idea. I also had a weird formatting thing that was causing the two horizontal lines to be gone and now they are back. I could kiss you I am so happy! This kind of thing fills me with rage and you have saved me lots of miserable hours of cursing at my computer as I work. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2024-04-09T22:40:17+00:00

    Seems I have a newer version of Win 11 Enterprise. My left pane in Windows Explorer starts with
    Home
    Gallery
    One Drive (many folders here)
    then a separator line
    then Quick Access

    I can rearrange the order of items pinned in Quick Access but the whole Quick Access section is near the bottom instead of the top. I know it might seem like no big deal but I have so much under One Drive that it makes Quick Access not so quick to find.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2024-04-07T02:06:57+00:00

    Sounds like you dropped the folder you were trying to move on another folder rather than in between. As you drag, you should see a solid line between two folders. At that point, drop the folder and it will sit between those two folders. This works only if you follow those instructions.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. 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!

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments