How to Change Quick Access Settings in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Do you use File Explorer every day? If yes, you’ve probably noticed Quick Access at the top of the navigation pane. By default, Windows 11 shows your frequently used folders and recent files here.

But what if you want more control? Maybe you’d like to pin your favorite folders, remove recently accessed files for privacy, or even disable Quick Access completely. The good news is you can easily change Quick Access settings in Windows 11 to fit your workflow.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions on customizing, managing, and optimizing Quick Access.

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📝 Quick Summary: Customize Quick Access in Windows 11

• Pin/Unpin folders to Quick Access for fast navigation.

• Clear or hide recent files/folders for more privacy.

• Change default File Explorer startup location.

• Disable Quick Access completely if you don’t want it.

• Use Registry tweaks or Group Policy for advanced customization.

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What is Quick Access in Windows 11?

Quick Access is like a shortcut hub inside File Explorer. It’s designed to save you time by showing:

• Pinned folders (your manual choices).

• Frequently used folders (auto-generated by Windows).

• Recent files (documents, pictures, downloads you’ve opened).

Think of it like your browser bookmarks, but for files and folders.

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Why Change Quick Access Settings?

Customizing Quick Access gives you:

• Faster navigation → Pin only the folders you need.

• Better privacy → Hide or clear recent files.

• Less clutter → Remove unnecessary shortcuts.

• Personal workflow optimization → Make File Explorer open where you want.

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Method 1: Pin or Unpin Folders to Quick Access

If you have folders you use daily (like Work Projects or Downloads), pin them to Quick Access.

Steps:

1. Open File Explorer (Win + E).

2. Navigate to the folder you want.

3. Right-click the folder → Select Pin to Quick Access.

4. The folder now appears under Quick Access in the sidebar.

👉 To remove it, right-click the folder in Quick Access and choose Unpin from Quick Access.

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Method 2: Remove Recent Files and Folders

By default, Quick Access shows your recently used files and folders. If you don’t want this:

Steps:

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Click the three-dot menu (… See more) in the toolbar.

3. Select Options.

4. Under the General tab, uncheck:

   • Show recently used files in Quick Access

   • Show frequently used folders in Quick Access

5. Click Apply → OK.

Now Quick Access will only show pinned folders.

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Method 3: Clear File Explorer History

If you want to reset Quick Access suggestions:

Steps:

1. Open File Explorer Options (Control Panel > File Explorer Options).

2. Under Privacy, click Clear next to Clear File Explorer history.

3. Click Apply → OK.

This clears all recent files and folders from Quick Access.

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Method 4: Change Default File Explorer Startup Location

By default, File Explorer opens to Quick Access. You can change it to This PC instead.

Steps:

1. Open File Explorer → Click three-dot menu → Options.

2. In the General tab, find Open File Explorer to:

3. Change the dropdown from Quick Access → This PC.

4. Click Apply → OK.

Now every time you open File Explorer, it shows This PC instead of Quick Access.

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Method 5: Disable Quick Access Completely (Advanced)

If you don’t want Quick Access at all, you can disable it via Registry Editor.

⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause issues. Always back up first.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R → Type regedit → Enter.

2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer


3. Right-click → New > DWORD (32-bit) Value → Name it HubMode.

4. Set its value to 1.

5. Restart File Explorer.

Quick Access will be hidden from the sidebar.

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Method 6: Use Group Policy to Manage Quick Access (Pro Editions)

Windows 11 Pro users can manage Quick Access settings via Group Policy.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R → Type gpedit.msc → Enter.

2. Navigate to:

   User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer


3. Find and configure policies related to recent items and Quick Access.

4. Apply changes → Restart File Explorer.

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Method 7: Reorder Items in Quick Access

You can reorder pinned folders to keep your most important ones at the top.

Steps:

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Drag and drop pinned folders in Quick Access to rearrange them.

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Method 8: Restore Quick Access to Default Settings

If you messed up settings and want a fresh start:

Steps:

1. Open File Explorer Options.

2. Under General, click Restore Defaults.

3. Apply and restart File Explorer.

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Comparison: Quick Access Customization Options

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Troubleshooting Quick Access Issues

• Quick Access not updating? → Clear history and restart Explorer.

• Pinned folders missing? → Re-pin them manually.

• Quick Access slow to load? → Disable recent files/folders to speed it up.

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Conclusion

Customizing Quick Access in Windows 11 is one of the best ways to streamline File Explorer. You can:

✅ Pin and reorder folders for quick access.
✅ Hide or clear recent items for privacy.
✅ Change Explorer’s startup location.
✅ Disable Quick Access entirely if you don’t need it.

By tailoring these settings, you can make File Explorer work the way you want.

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FAQs

1. How do I reset Quick Access in Windows 11?
Go to File Explorer Options → Privacy → Clear history.

2. Can I remove Quick Access completely?
Yes, via Registry Editor or Group Policy (Windows Pro editions).

3. How do I make File Explorer open to This PC instead of Quick Access?
Go to Options → Change “Open File Explorer to” → Select This PC.

4. Why is Quick Access not showing in File Explorer?
You may have disabled it via registry or policy. Restore defaults to bring it back.

5. Can I sync Quick Access across PCs?
Not directly, but pinned folders can be recreated manually or synced using OneDrive.