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
    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.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-09-10T16:09:21+00:00

    it is 2023 - September 10 And I still have the same program of not being able to organize quick access alphabetically

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-09-13T17:40:12+00:00

    I know this post is almost a year old, but I thought I'd reply with my solution.

    1. Open File Explorer
    2. Click the "•••" (See more) menu button
    3. Click "Options"
    4. On the "General" tab, in the "Privacy" section, uncheck "Show frequently used folders"

    Quick access will no longer be auto-populated with folders that you use most often, but you should be able to sort items in it by dragging and dropping.

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  4. 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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  5. Anonymous
    2023-09-21T20:59:04+00:00

    I just tried something stupid. I context clicked and held on to the item I wanted to move. Low and behold a line showed up between items and it moved when I dropped it. (Windows 11 23H2 & unchecked show all folders). :-))

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