Quick Access not showing in navigation pane since Windows 11 update

Question

I updated to the latest version of Windows 11 yesterday. When I opened File Explorer, Quick access and recent files/folders were showing to the right of the window, but the Quick Access folder option was missing from the navigation panel on the left. So if I click away from this Window I've lost Quick Access. How do I re-enable Quick Access to the left part of the navigation pane?

Please look at the screenshot before replying. Quick Access is enabled in view mode options and can be seen, but is missing from the left side of the navigation pane.

Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

You are an absolutely lifesaver! So far, my experience with Windows 11 and Office 365 has been that of a complete dumpster fire! The things that were broke are still broke and what wasn't broke got worse.

Answer 2

Quick Access pinned items now show under "Home" in the right pane. This is a lot closer to what it was and does allow for the short-cuts. I think the left pane was more efficient and easier to access. Wish that was available.......

Answer 3

Stupid, stupid, stupid. Not you, Sumit, Microsoft!

From your post in 2022 it looks like MS disabled Quick Access and replaced it with Favorites. Two problems: (1) Favorites won't allow you to store Folders only Files (at least from what I see); and (2) it is almost 2024 and I can still right click on a Folder and see the selection "Pin to Quick Access." When I do that, nothing happens - surprise, surprise. Like I said, stupid!

Answer 4

Not quite.

If you read other entries on this thread, including one I made, you will find you can get your Quick Access back (how to see QA items). Pin to Quick Access does still work, they just hid the shortcuts so created (and yes, that was stupid, stupid, stupid - poor UX considerations and poor design).

Answer 5

Leave it to Microsoft to essentially force me to switch to Windows 11 and it complicates my life. I avoided 11 for months and then it loaded without my consent.