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
    2024-02-05T20:47:34+00:00

    Have tried all the suggestions, but on my new fully updated PC I can drag quick access items, but only to copy. Never get a solid line to drop between items.

    And, if I start dragging, find no solid line, and want to put the item back where it was, it creates a copy of itself underneath the original item!

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-02-15T10:07:53+00:00

    Thanks, whilst this works and allows drag and sort, it disables other functionality. Wha MS needs to do is sort out the issue of the drag function being not orking when "Show all folders" is enabled - there is simply NO reason why this should be the case.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-02-19T17:30:22+00:00

    Excellent, it appears that enabling 'Show all folders' is the root cause of the problem.

    I originally enabled 'Show all folders', as it was the only way to access the Recycle Bin after removing it from the Desktop. So, I just pinned the RB to QA and then disabled 'Show all folders' - presto, can now reorder QA items again.

    👍

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-02-19T17:33:47+00:00

    And, if I start dragging, find no solid line, and want to put the item back where it was, it creates a copy of itself underneath the original item!

    Just press the ESC key before releasing the mouse button, and the drag and drop function will be cancelled.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-02-25T21:09:45+00:00

    I was able to fix the same problem by making sure that "show libraries" was checked. File Explorer - Options - View - Navigation Pane - Show Libraries.

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