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

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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
    2024-04-07T02:06:57+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.

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  4. 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.

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  5. 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!!

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