To add a folder to File Explorer’s left navigation pane, right-click it and select Pin to Quick access. To remove it from that pane, right-click it and select Unpin from Quick access. Unpinning removes the shortcut from Quick access; it does not delete the folder or its contents.
How to add a folder to Quick access
- Open File Explorer from the taskbar or Start menu, or press Windows logo key + E.
- Find the folder you want to add. Right-click it, or press and hold it on a touchscreen.
- Select Pin to Quick access. The folder will appear in Quick access in the navigation pane.
Microsoft says you can pin any folder this way. The same folder remains in its original location; Quick access provides an entry for opening it.
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How to remove a folder from Quick access
- In File Explorer’s navigation pane, locate the folder under Quick access.
- Right-click it, or press and hold it.
- Select Unpin from Quick access.
This removes the Quick access entry only. It does not delete the folder or anything stored inside it. See Microsoft’s File Explorer guidance for the documented pinning and unpinning actions.
Restore a default known folder
In Windows 11 version 22H2 and later, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, and Videos are pinned by default in Quick access, both in File Explorer Home and in the left navigation pane. These default entries no longer appear under This PC, which focuses on drives and network locations.
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- Open File Explorer and select Home in the navigation pane.
- Select the Up arrow beside the address bar to display the six known folders.
- Right-click or press and hold the folder you want to restore, then select Pin to Quick access.
The default-folder behavior described here applies to Windows 11 version 22H2 and later; Microsoft’s broader File Explorer instructions also cover Windows 10.
Folder pins, recent files, and frequent folders are different
Quick access can show more than pinned folders. Use the action that matches what you want to change:
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- Unpin from Quick access removes a pinned folder shortcut.
- Remove from Quick access removes a recent file entry. Microsoft says a removed recent file will not appear there again, even if you use it daily.
- Hide recent and frequent items: choose View > Options. Under Privacy, clear the recent-files and frequent-folders checkboxes, then select Apply. This changes what is shown; it is not the same as unpinning a folder. Turning those options on again can make previously removed files appear.
To display libraries in the navigation pane, use View > Navigation pane > Show libraries. Libraries are a separate display option, not Quick access folder pins.
Navigate the pane with a keyboard
Press F6 or Shift+F6 until focus reaches the navigation pane. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to move through its items and press Enter to open one. Microsoft documents this keyboard navigation in its File Explorer accessibility instructions.
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