Cannot pin desktop to Quick Access

Question

Windows 11 64-bit OS. My work account was recently migrated to a new tenant. It kept everything I had pinned to quick access EXCEPT the desktop, but added items I never use, like Pictures, Download, Documents. I can't unpin Pictures, and it ignores all attempts to pin the desktop, a location I use the most. How do I add Desktop to my quick access?

Answer 1

Hello @Karen Potter

Based on your description, I suspect the issue may be related to the recent migration of your work account and a change in how OneDrive is managing your Desktop folder.

Microsoft's OneDrive Known Folder Move (KFM) feature can redirect the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders from the local user profile into a OneDrive-managed location for backup and synchronization. For your reference:

Redirect and move Windows known folders to OneDrive

If the Desktop folder was redirected during the migration, File Explorer may not have updated its Quick Access entries correctly.

To help narrow down the cause, could you first confirm where the Desktop folder is currently located?

C:\Users\<username>\Desktop

or

C:\Users\<username>\OneDrive - <Company Name>\Desktop

I will share a few simple steps you can try to double‑check what might be happening on your end

1/ Check where your Desktop folder is stored

• Open File Explorer.
• In the left pane, select This PC.
• Open Local Disk (C:) > Users > Your Username.
• Look for a folder named "Desktop".

Then also check:

• Open your OneDrive - folder.
• Look for a folder named Desktop.
• Please let me know which Desktop folder contains your files.

2/ Try pinning the Desktop folder you found

• Right-click the Desktop folder.
• Select Pin to Quick Access (or Add to Favorites, depending on your Windows version).

Please tell me what happens:

• Does Desktop appear in Quick Access?
• Does nothing happen at all?
• Do you receive an error message?

3/ Reset Quick Access

If pinning Desktop does not work, as an additional troubleshooting step, you can try rebuilding the Quick Access cache by following the steps below. This workaround has been suggested in Microsoft Q&A below discussions for cases where Quick Access entries cannot be pinned or updated correctly.

File Explorer Feature of Pin to Quick Access not working in Windows 11

• Press Windows + R.
• Copy and paste the following: %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations
• Click OK.
• Find and delete this file: f01b4d95cf55d32a.automaticDestinations-ms
• Close File Explorer.
• Sign out of Windows and sign back in (or restart the computer).
• Try pinning the Desktop folder again.

This is a commonly recommended troubleshooting step when Quick Access stops pinning or unpinning folders correctly.

If the issue still remains after trying all the steps above, please share a screenshot or provide more detailed information. I will check the situation and continue to support you. 

Kind regards, 

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