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
    2025-01-02T20:09:49+00:00

    Hello! I just read three pages worth of comments and then tried something different - and it worked.

    So if you're still having this issue, try RIGHT clicking and HOLDING the item you want to move in the lineup. Then when you release, it should stay in it's place!! Tricky microsoft!! Good luck!

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-01-02T20:28:01+00:00

    YES!! This worked AND it quit showing all the other files that were irritating me!

    THANKS!

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-01-02T21:12:12+00:00

    Still does not work in windows #10

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-01-02T21:23:55+00:00

    I'm sorry it's not working for you. I am using Windows 10 Enterprise. I just right click and hold, release the file in the place I want it and it stayed. Maybe you have to have a bunch of other things all synced up too. Under Navigation pane - I have NOTHING checked. (That's another thing that earlier entries mentioned first)

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-01-02T23:03:10+00:00

    There are so many replies here I can't find my original question. Can you let me know in detail what solution was? I know it had something to do with file explorer. Thanks so much.

    Vicki

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