How to Pin Recent Folders in Quick Access on Windows 11
Pinning recent folders in Windows 11’s Quick Access makes your most-used locations easy to find instantly.
Quick Access is a helpful part of Windows 11’s File Explorer that shows shortcuts to folders and files you open often.
Windows 11 normally keeps track of folders you’ve recently visited. Pinning these specific folders means they will always stay visible in Quick Access, even if you restart your computer.
This feature helps you quickly grab important project folders without having to search through many different places on your PC. It saves you time and avoids the annoyance of losing track of where things are.
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
Pinning your recent folders to Quick Access in Windows 11 lets you get to your most-used files faster. Instead of searching, you can click on pinned folders right from the File Explorer sidebar. This guide shows you exactly how to pin recent folders to keep them handy.
- 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 and makes you more productive. Having your most-used folders ready means you don’t waste time searching. This keeps important files just a click away, making your computer work faster for you.
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 makes it much simpler to access directly from the File Explorer sidebar.
Do not show recent folders in Quick Access.?
You can stop showing recent files and folders in Quick Access by changing a setting in Folder Options.
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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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