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
    2023-08-15T17:53:13+00:00

    OK, it's broken again after the latest update. The usual workarounds no longer work

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-08-10T09:42:20+00:00

    Yes! This worked for me, too. I was having the same annoying issue of not being able to rearrange items in Quick Access.

    I'll add one note that may be helpful: once you've unclicked Show All Folders, the Navigation Pane displays differently, which may be slightly annoying, too.

    However, I noticed that if you click the Show All Folders option after you've rearranged the items in Quick Access, the Navigation Pane looks the same as before with the advantage of the items being arranged as desired!

    So rearranging is possible, albeit more tedious now.

    Not sure why this was done by MS, but I'm guessing that it's an oversight.

    Cheers to all!

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-07-12T01:28:07+00:00

    Thanks! Your solution worked! - I've been trying to do this for months, just thought I'd re-check for solutions in the forum, very grateful for your post.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-07-02T07:58:57+00:00

    You used to be able to drag the items into the order you wanted.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-05-11T02:12:14+00:00

    It wasn't me originally...another person on this forum did it but happy to help! It was driving me crazy, I use and change them all the time. Sweet relief!

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