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
    2025-03-31T18:04:41+00:00

    I had the same problem and ended up restoring the defaults under "Folder options (3 dots ...), View tab, Restore Defaults", this worked.

    After more tests I realized when you uncheck the "Show this PC" under Navigation pane you are not able to reorder the quick access links.

    Attached is a video which shows you what I did.

    Change order of quick access.avi

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-03-21T15:00:21+00:00

    RIGHT CLICK and drag the folder up and down. I have only found the manual way to do it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-03-14T15:06:18+00:00

    It worked, but boy, is that a dumb way to fix it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-03-10T00:40:11+00:00

    Thanks. But I can't even find the "show all folders" thing at all. Is it a drop down menu? I have no clue.

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-03-09T22:21:53+00:00

    When I went to the Open Folder options as instructed, I found the "Show all folders" was already unchecked but once I checked it and applied the change and then unchecked it and once again applied the change, sorting was enabled. Strange!

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