How to Pin Recent Folders in Quick Access on Windows 11
You pin recent folders in Windows 11’s Quick Access to keep your frequently used locations instantly accessible.
Quick Access is a special area in File Explorer (that’s Windows’ file management tool) where you can save shortcuts to your most important folders and files. This feature is designed to speed up your workflow by putting what you use most often just a click away.
Windows 11 automatically tracks your recently opened folders, but pinning them to Quick Access ensures they stay visible even after you close them or restart your PC. This means you can find that important project folder you were working on yesterday without having to navigate through multiple directories.
By pinning recent folders, you eliminate the need to search for them every time, saving you valuable time and reducing frustration.
Open File Explorer, enter shell:::{22877a6d-37a1-461a-91b0-dbda5aaebc99} in the address bar, and press Enter. Then, click the three dots at the top and select “Pin to Quick access” to add your recent folders.
Steps to Pin Your Recent Folders in Quick Access
You can easily pin your recent folders to Quick Access in Windows 11 to make them easier to find. First, open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon on your taskbar or pressing ⊞ Win+E. Then, go to the address bar at the top, clear it, and paste this command: shell:::{22877a6d-37a1-461a-91b0-dbda5aaebc9.
- Open File Explorer. You can do this by clicking the folder icon on your taskbar or by pressing
Win + Eon your keyboard. - Go to the Recent folders section using a special command. Click on the address bar at the top of File Explorer, erase anything there, and copy-paste this command:
shell:::{22877a6d-37a1-461a-91b0-dbda5aaebc99}
Then press Enter. - Pin Recent folders to Quick Access. At the top of File Explorer, click the three dots (called the See more button). From the menu, select Pin to Quick access.
After doing this, your Recent folders will show up in the Quick Access list on the left side of File Explorer:
How to Remove Pinned Recent Folders
To remove (unpin) Recent folders from Quick Access: Right-click on Recent folders in the Quick Access list and choose Unpin from Quick access.
Summary
Pinning recent folders to Quick Access in Windows 11 saves you time by keeping them readily available. After opening File Explorer and using a special command to find your recent folders, you can pin them through a simple menu option. These pinned folders will then appear in your Quick Access list for quick access, and you can unpin them anytime by right-clicking.
For more tips about File Explorer and Quick Access, check out these helpful guides:
- How to Change Quick Access Settings in Windows 11
- How to Pin or Unpin Files and Folders to Quick Access
- How to Hide Recent Files and Folders in Windows 11
What does it mean to pin a folder to quick access?
Pinning a folder to Quick Access means you’re making it easily accessible from the File Explorer sidebar. You can pin any folder by right-clicking it and choosing ‘Pin to Quick access.’ This keeps important folders just a click away, and you can remove them just as easily by right-clicking and selecting ‘Unpin from Quick access’ when you no longer need them there.
Do not show recent folders in Quick Access.?
You can stop seeing recently used files and frequently used folders in Quick Access by changing a setting in Folder Options. Click the three dots in the File Explorer toolbar, select ‘Options,’ and then go to the ‘General’ tab. Simply uncheck the boxes for ‘Show recently used files’ and ‘Show frequently used folders’ to hide them.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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