Quick access is built into File Explorer in Windows 11, on the Home page and at the top of the left pane. To add a folder, right-click it and select Pin to Quick access. If File Explorer opens to This PC instead of Home, select the three dots in the toolbar, choose Options, and set Open File Explorer to Home.
Quick access is a shortcut list, not a real folder. Pinning or unpinning something never moves or deletes the files inside it.
Pin a Folder to Quick Access
- Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer and find the folder.
- Right-click the folder.
- Select Pin to Quick access.
The folder now shows in the Quick access section of Home and near the top of the left pane. To pin the folder you’re already in, right-click Quick access in the left pane and select Pin current folder to Quick access.
Unpin or Rearrange Quick Access Folders
- To remove a folder, right-click it in Quick access and select Unpin from Quick access.
- To change the order, drag a pinned folder up or down in the left pane and let go where you want it.
Make File Explorer Open to Quick Access
- Open File Explorer.
- Select the three-dot See more button in the toolbar, then Options.
- On the General tab, set Open File Explorer to Home.
- Select OK.
Prefer to see your drives first? Choose This PC in the same menu. Our guide to showing This PC on the desktop has more ways to get there.
Open This PC and Reduce Quick Access Content
If you want File Explorer to stop opening on Home or Quick access, open File Explorer > See more (three dots) > Options. On General, change Open File Explorer to to This PC and select OK. Close and reopen Explorer to check that the drives page appears.
To reduce recent content as well, return to Options, clear Show recently used files and Show frequently used folders under Privacy, and select Clear to erase the displayed history. Unpin unwanted folders using the steps above. Microsoft’s Quick access guide describes pinning and these privacy controls. Changing the start page does not disable Quick access everywhere or delete your files. Choose Home again and restore the checkboxes to undo those preferences.
Add Files to Favorites on Home
Quick access holds folders. For individual files you open often, Home has a Favorites section.
- Right-click a file in File Explorer.
- Select Add to favorites.
- Open Home to find it under Favorites. Right-click it and select Remove from favorites to take it off.
Show or Hide Recent Files and Frequent Folders
- Open Options from the three-dot menu, as above.
- Under Privacy, check or uncheck Show recently used files and Show frequently used folders.
- Select Clear to erase the current history, then select OK.
Turning these off keeps Home limited to the folders you pinned, which is handy on a shared PC.
Restore Desktop, Documents, and Downloads to Quick Access
Since Windows 11 version 22H2, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, and Videos are pinned to Quick access by default. If you unpinned one, Microsoft’s File Explorer help gives this fix:
- Open File Explorer and select Home in the left pane.
- Select the Up arrow to the left of the address bar. All six folders appear.
- Right-click the folder you want back and select Pin to Quick access.
If Quick Access Is Missing or Won’t Pin
- The left pane is gone. Select View > Show > Navigation pane in File Explorer.
- Pinned folders stopped appearing. Open Options, select Clear under Privacy, then restart File Explorer: open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, right-click Windows Explorer, and select Restart.
- Pin to Quick access is missing from the menu. Select Show more options at the bottom of the right-click menu, or try again after restarting Explorer.
If Quick access is still broken, you can reset it. This removes all pinned folders, so note them first. Close File Explorer, press Windows key + R, paste the path below, and press Enter. Then delete the file named f01b4d95cf55d32a.automaticDestinations-ms and reopen File Explorer.
%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinationsFrequently Asked Questions
Where did Quick access go in Windows 11?
It’s still there. Windows 11 moved it into the Home page of File Explorer, and pinned folders also appear near the top of the left pane.
Can I pin a drive or the Recycle Bin?
Yes. Right-click a drive in This PC, or the Recycle Bin, and select Pin to Quick access. See how to find the C drive on Windows 11 if you need to locate your drives.
Does unpinning delete the folder?
No. It only removes the shortcut from Quick access. The folder and its files stay where they are.
Where can I learn more about File Explorer?
See how to use File Explorer in Windows 11.
To find files you opened recently, see how to see recent files in Windows 11.
If you would rather Quick access not show what you opened recently, see how to clear recent files in Windows 11.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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