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I think my File Explorer (Windows 11) is possessed by an evil creature that enjoys rattling me. Every once in a while it decides to substitute my pinned folders with some random and mostly useless ones.
Today I decided to retry and re-organize that section of File explorer.
I am not able to sort the items I put in Quick Access. Folders are in a completely random order, not alphabetical, not based on usage. It is random.
When I try and move a folder, File Explorer put it back where it was.
This is an incredibly bad application. I fail in understanding how Microsoft is not able to provide a simple and functional File Explorer. I use also a Mac OS system and cannot belive how much better their simple Finder is. At least it enables users to organize their pinned locations as they like.
Is there anyone with a suggestion?
By the way. Besides the name, what do you think the difference between "Quick access" and "Favorites" is?
For the experts: reinstalling Windows is not an option.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Same problem frustrated me as well, but I found somewhere a hint which I tried, and within seconds had solved the issue.
Open Folder options in File Explorer, go to Tab "View", scroll down to object group "Navigation pane".
There: uncheck the box "Show all folders"
That's all it takes, now I am fully able to arrange/rearrange/order my Qick Access objects. Still haven't found any negative bi-effects of it.
Didn't work with my Surface Pro 8! Microsoft, you buggy little thing, you!
Had this same issue on 24H2 fresh install, mentioned fix didn't work. For anyone looking for other fixes, unpinning 'pictures' from navigation quick pin side panel fixed the bug for some reason. Couldn't rearrange custom folders or drag and drop anything to quick pin between each other, only above the defaults of documents, pictures etc. noticing the odd quirk making me test the oddity until that worked.
*Rant - only for Microsoft to read:*
Just want to say that this is the worst Windows I've ever transitioned to all time and I've used everything since Win98se as a kid, even Vista was far superior for a fresh install experience. I don't know who this operating system is designed for outside of 70 year old grandmas and tablet users, which is fine if you want to default to what you think is best, but the options to customize things properly need to remain, not progressively get worse with each new Windows alienating and disgusting your users. If I didn't just build a $2K gaming PC as it's primary purpose, I would never use this garbage and I've been a Windows maxi my whole life.
You guys even removed small taskbar option that has always been in Windows, do you know how bad that is to use on a 1080p display, some silly tablet mode taking up an insane amount of screen space. Can't hide this ridiculous useless folder ribbon bar taking up so much space either, when you could always hide these things in previous Windows... who is even using that versus right click context menu with all the options there being much faster if not using the most commonly used shortcut keys everyone knows?
Tabs are the only nice idea and benefit I can find so far, everything else for the average user is a massive downgrade and headache vs Windows 10. I'm not picky only needing very basic options Windows has always had, and still managed to make me extremely frustrated and disgusted while also slowing down my productivity speed a noticeable amount.
This worked. Thanks!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Mats Tengnér's solution WORKS!
Nice! This worked, and the order was maintained after re-checking the Show All Folders so the Quick Access was back at the top.
