Windows 11: Can't see quick access or recent items anymore

Question

Windows 11: Can't see quick access or recent items anymore

Reported

Anonymous

Hi! I'm experiencing the following issue: I'm unable to see quick access or recent items in my home section on windows 11. it suddenly disappeared and shows only a desktop shortcut as shown in the screenshot. I searched around and found a solution regarding folder options and the privacy section, but so far clearing and restoring defaults, ad well as checking and unchecking boxes hasn't helped.

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Answer accepted by question author

Udit Tanwar 3,400 Independent Advisor

Hello Oscar,

Thank you so much for reaching out, I am Udit an independent advisor, and I am glad to assist you today with this issue.

you can try to restore them using Windows 11’s built-in options.

In File Explorer, click the three dots (ellipsis) in the top-right corner and choose Options.
Under the General tab, in the Privacy section at the bottom, ensure both of these checkboxes are selected:

Show recently used files in Home

Show frequently used folders in Home

Still within the same section, click the Clear button next to “Clear File Explorer history.”
Click Apply and then OK to close the dialog.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

Find Windows Explorer in the list, right-click it, and choose Restart.

Now, reopen File Explorer and go to Home. The Quick Access and Recent Items sections should begin to repopulate based on your activity.

Also, make sure your system is up to date. Let me know how it goes after following these steps.

Regards

Udit

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3 additional answers

Answer 1

Hi Udit and colleague experts

Same exact problem started with me just today !!!
Home in file explorer ( at opening and subsequently always) suddenly started displaying only desktop icon, all the quick acces features and the rest not appearing anymore !!!!
Went through the net looking for solution.
Tried your solution to no avail.
ran sfc scan to no avail.
Rebuilt icon cache by deleting IconCache.db in C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local folder to no avail.
Applied and installed last windows updates available :
2025-06 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5060842)
and
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 - v5.134 (KB890830)
to no avail.

Edit : Ran a full Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 - v5.134 (KB890830), lasted about 03 hours.

All Clear No Malware Detected.

What is left for me to try ?
Thankx.
Regards

Edit 24H later :

Back to normal !

working !

haven't tried nothing else....

So not clear what fixed it ?!
or

Fixed itself !?

Answer 2

Anonymous

Thank you so much for the instructions.. we just switched to 11 and i used quick access for many years. it works again.. thanks a billion!

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Answer 3

That worked! Thank you so much! I had tried with no luck before updating, but after the update "recent" is back. Not a fan of the new UI but I'm glad to have the usual sections back. Thanks again!