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Why is Favorites and Recent missing from File Explorer in Windows 11?

Anonymous
2023-03-11T05:44:24+00:00

Even though I have added files to Favorites in the File Explorer, the File Explorer just does not show Favorites.

There used to have Recent files in Windows 10, but now I don't see any Recent files being listed with the new Windows 11.

Did the Restore Defaults in the File Options under the 3 dots ''...'' makes no difference.

Please help me to turn on Favorites and Recent in File Explorer in my laptop running Windows 11.

Thank you!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-03-23T00:50:15+00:00

    Hi Paulo,

    Now the Favorites and Recent sections appear in my File Explorer!

    Might be related to the recent updates, I think.

    Really appreciate your help.

    Hi Paulo,

    Now these Favorites and Recent sections are missing again!
    So random. Something wrong with Windows 11.

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2023-11-17T04:55:57+00:00

    This is really annoying! All my shortcuts in the left-hand navigation pane are MIA. Have gone into File Explorer Options and found this setting causes my issues.

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2024-02-19T13:07:18+00:00

    I'm so tired of having to learn Windows over every time a new version is released. I'm looking at and will most likely move to a Linux based system in the near future. The whole file navigation has turned into a nightmare.

    9 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2024-08-10T13:36:10+00:00

    Favorites used to be in the left column, not where you have indicated. How do you even add a folder to it? Things change all the time with Windows and you are never forewarned. They should leave things like this alone and quit screwing around with the OS. After several decades of IT work, I encourage people to move to Linux. Nothing is more frustrating than having Big Tech breathing down your back constantly. You know what I mean. No wonder people are losing their bloody minds everywhere you go. I'm one of them.

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2024-07-13T22:04:36+00:00

    In Windows 10/11, the feature previously known as "Favorites" has been replaced by "Quick access."

    The last Windows version to include a Favorites menu, along with Recent folders and Recent Items, was Windows 7 (I never upgraded to Windows 8). Previously, any application could easily save or open a recent file or folder within the Favorites tree. However, this functionality has changed. While Recent folders and items can still be added manually, they often disappear and are unavailable when needed, such as when saving a document into a Recent folder or retrieving it from Recent items.

    Regarding Linux, think again and I suggest dismissing the fanboys promoting the OS. Using Linux demands a unique personality, aptitude, and skill set. Despite experimenting with various distributions over the years (now referred to as "distros"), I've found even simple tasks to be a major hassle.

    Linux users seem to relish the challenges and derive a sense of accomplishment to boost their precious ego from solving these issues, contrasting sharply with Windows users who can accomplish similar tasks with just one or two clicks, thanks to automation built into the system.

    As an example, Linux users only recently gained the ability to see the time it takes to copy files, a feature Windows has had since Windows 3.1.

    If anything, frustrated Windows users will consider switching to Apple or even abandoning PCs altogether. Microsoft appears to be alienating Windows users except for their business and corporate clients, by failing to meet the basic expectations of everyday users and imposing many "features" on them like OneDrive and ads.

    @timboe

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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