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
    2023-07-03T17:26:34+00:00

    Hmmm!!!

    Unfortunately this did not work for me. I reset defaults as you suggested, but I still cannot change the order of the items. I tried but only ever got the 'Copy' option.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-07-03T02:10:53+00:00

    I'll leave my experience solving this problem here. I'm on Windows 11 23H2 Build 22631.3810. Using ExplorerPatcher v. 22621.3527.65.5 to customize the Windows desktop.

    I was having the problem of not being able to move or re-arrange any of my Quick access pinned folder shortcuts in the left-side Navigation Pane.

    Here's how I was able to "fix" it:

    Right-click the lower left area of the window (below the bar separating your pinned folders from the Library). Make sure ONLY 'Show Libraries' is checked, 'Show All Folders' and 'Expand to Current Folder' should be unchecked. You can also access these options under Options --> View --> Advanced Settings --> Navigation Pane.
    I can't at all say if this will work for anyone else, but it worked for me. I am ONLY able to move and re-arrange my Quick Access pinned folders if 'Show Libraries' is checked. If its unchecked, I can't move them. Kinda goofy cause it forces me to enable a Windows Explorer element I don't want to be enabled. Typical Windows...

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-11-29T23:49:51+00:00

    It works but i is no solution as I can't see any of my folders anymore
    So switch in off, re-order, switch it back on
    Microsoft you are a bunch of juniors.

    Number one function of an OS is a file manager

    The file manager is *separate* from the windows manager

    Please go and reinstate Windows 10 explorer

    This is beyond useless

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-06-17T16:28:11+00:00

    Thank you. This works. However, some people will discover that "Show all folders" is not checked, yet they have no ability to arrange Quick Access items. The solution, which works for me, is to check the box, apply changes, then uncheck the box and apply changes again. Yet more quality control issues at Microsoft.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-06-14T19:01:34+00:00

    Last night (6/14/2023) Microsoft pushed this to my laptop: "2023-06 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5027231)." Once again, I can't drag and drop Quick Access links in File Explorer. I tried the fix that worked prior to this change being installed (see below for the fix), but it did not work. Also, it is no longer an option in File Explorer to open to Quick Access links. Any ideas?

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