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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  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-09T07:12:26+00:00

    Hi, I had the same issue. I solve it by drag and drop folder by clicking on small drawing pin ikon on right side of folder name.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-03-31T18:04:41+00:00

    I had the same problem and ended up restoring the defaults under "Folder options (3 dots ...), View tab, Restore Defaults", this worked.

    After more tests I realized when you uncheck the "Show this PC" under Navigation pane you are not able to reorder the quick access links.

    Attached is a video which shows you what I did.

    Change order of quick access.avi

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-03-14T15:06:18+00:00

    It worked, but boy, is that a dumb way to fix it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-03-10T00:40:11+00:00

    Thanks. But I can't even find the "show all folders" thing at all. Is it a drop down menu? I have no clue.

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-03-09T22:21:53+00:00

    When I went to the Open Folder options as instructed, I found the "Show all folders" was already unchecked but once I checked it and applied the change and then unchecked it and once again applied the change, sorting was enabled. Strange!

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