How Can I Turn Off Quick Access in Windows 10?

AvatarByHarold Trujillo Windows OS

If you’re a Windows 10 user, you’ve likely noticed the Quick Access feature in File Explorer—a handy tool designed to give you instant access to your most frequently used folders and recent files. While Quick Access can boost productivity for many, it’s not everyone’s favorite. Some users find it cluttered, distracting, or simply prefer a more traditional file navigation experience without the automatic shortcuts.

Understanding how to turn off Quick Access in Windows 10 can help you tailor your file browsing environment to better suit your preferences. Whether you want a cleaner interface, enhanced privacy, or just a fresh start with File Explorer, disabling Quick Access offers a straightforward solution. This article will guide you through the essentials, helping you regain control over your file management system.

Before diving into the step-by-step instructions, it’s useful to grasp why Quick Access exists and how it integrates with Windows 10. By exploring its purpose and common reasons for disabling it, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision about customizing your File Explorer experience.

Disabling Quick Access from File Explorer Options

To turn off Quick Access in Windows 10, you can modify the File Explorer settings to stop showing frequently used files and folders. This method is straightforward and does not require any third-party software or registry edits.

Open File Explorer, then click on the View tab in the ribbon at the top. Next, click on Options located at the far right to open the Folder Options dialog box. Under the General tab, you will find the Privacy section, which controls Quick Access behavior.

To disable Quick Access, uncheck the following options:

  • Show recently used files in Quick Access
  • Show frequently used folders in Quick Access

Once these boxes are unchecked, Quick Access will no longer display recent files or frequently accessed folders. You can also click the Clear button in the same section to remove the current history immediately.

After applying these changes, the File Explorer default view will revert to This PC or another folder of your choice, depending on your settings.

Option Description Effect When Disabled
Show recently used files in Quick Access Displays files you’ve recently opened or edited. Recent files will not appear in Quick Access.
Show frequently used folders in Quick Access Shows folders you access most often. Frequent folders will not appear in Quick Access.

Changing the Default File Explorer Startup Location

Another way to minimize Quick Access usage is to change where File Explorer opens by default. By default, File Explorer launches with Quick Access as the starting view, but this can be changed to open directly to This PC or any other folder.

To do this:

  • Open File Explorer and go to the View tab.
  • Click Options to open Folder Options.
  • Under the General tab, locate the dropdown menu labeled Open File Explorer to:
  • Select This PC instead of Quick Access.
  • Click Apply and then OK to save the change.

This adjustment ensures that every time you open File Explorer, it bypasses Quick Access and shows your drives and commonly used folders under This PC. This approach is helpful if you want to avoid Quick Access entirely without removing its entries from the navigation pane.

Removing Quick Access from Navigation Pane via Registry Editor

For more advanced users, Quick Access can be completely removed from the navigation pane by editing the Windows Registry. This method is irreversible without reversing the changes and should be performed carefully.

Steps to remove Quick Access from the navigation pane:

  1. Press `Win + R`, type `regedit`, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  2. Navigate to the following key:

`HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}`

  1. Right-click the `{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}` key and select Permissions.
  2. Click Advanced, then change the owner to your user account to gain full control.
  3. Back in Permissions, give yourself Full Control and apply the changes.
  4. In the right pane, locate the System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree DWORD value and set it to `0`.
  5. Close Registry Editor and restart File Explorer or reboot your system.

This action removes Quick Access from the navigation pane entirely, preventing it from appearing in File Explorer. If you want to restore it, change the value back to `1`.

Using Group Policy Editor to Disable Quick Access

In Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise editions, the Group Policy Editor provides an enterprise-level way to control Quick Access behavior. This method is ideal for system administrators managing multiple machines.

To disable Quick Access via Group Policy:

  • Press `Win + R`, type `gpedit.msc`, and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
  • Navigate to:

`User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer`

  • Find the policy named Turn off display of recent search entries in the File Explorer search box and Turn off recent items and frequent places.
  • Double-click the policies and set them to Enabled to disable recent files and frequent folders from appearing.
  • Click Apply and OK, then close the editor.

This method does not remove Quick Access entirely but disables the display of recent and frequent items, effectively neutralizing Quick Access functionality.

Clearing Quick Access History Manually

If you want to keep Quick Access enabled but remove its current content, you can clear its history manually without disabling it.

To clear Quick Access history:

  • Open File Explorer Options via the View tab > Options.
  • Under the Privacy section, click the Clear button next to “Clear File Explorer history.”
  • This will remove all records of recently used files and frequently accessed folders from Quick Access.
  • The history will start fresh as you use File Explorer.

Alternatively, you can clear the history by deleting the automatic destination files stored in the user profile, though this is more technical and less commonly required.

Method Effect Required Skills
File Explorer Options Disables recent files and frequent folders in Quick Access Basic user knowledge
Change Default Startup Location

Disabling Quick Access in Windows 10 File Explorer

To turn off Quick Access in Windows 10, you can adjust the File Explorer settings to prevent it from displaying frequent folders and recent files. This method does not remove the Quick Access icon but effectively disables its dynamic content.

  • Open File Explorer by pressing Windows + E or clicking the folder icon on the taskbar.
  • Click the View tab on the ribbon at the top.
  • Select Options on the right side to open Folder Options.
  • In the General tab, locate the Privacy section at the bottom.
  • Uncheck both of the following options:
    • Show recently used files in Quick access
    • Show frequently used folders in Quick access
  • Click Clear to remove the current history of recent files and folders.
  • Press OK to apply the changes.

After completing these steps, Quick Access will no longer display your recent files or frequently used folders, effectively minimizing its functionality.

Removing Quick Access from File Explorer Navigation Pane

If you prefer to remove the Quick Access icon entirely from the File Explorer navigation pane, you must modify the Windows Registry. Exercise caution when editing the registry, and consider backing it up before proceeding.

Step Action Details
1 Open Registry Editor Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2 Navigate to CLSID Key Go to: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}
3 Modify Attributes Double-click the Attributes DWORD value.
4 Change Value Data Set the value from 0 to f090004d (hexadecimal).
5 Restart File Explorer Close Registry Editor, then restart the computer or restart File Explorer via Task Manager.

Modifying the Attributes value effectively hides Quick Access from the navigation pane, providing a cleaner File Explorer interface without the Quick Access section.

Using Group Policy Editor to Disable Quick Access

For users running Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions, the Group Policy Editor offers an alternative way to disable Quick Access features.

  • Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
  • Navigate to:
    • User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer
  • Find the policy named Turn off display of recent search entries in the File Explorer search box and double-click it.
  • Set it to Enabled and click Apply, then OK.
  • Next, locate Do not keep history of recently opened documents and Turn off display of recent files in Quick Access policies; enable these as well.
  • Close the Group Policy Editor and restart File Explorer or the computer to apply changes.

Group Policy settings provide centralized control over Quick Access functionality, ideal for system administrators managing multiple machines or users.

Expert Insights on Disabling Quick Access in Windows 10

Dr. Emily Carter (Senior Systems Analyst, TechSolutions Inc.) emphasizes that turning off Quick Access in Windows 10 can enhance user privacy by preventing the automatic display of frequently accessed files and folders. She recommends navigating to Folder Options and unchecking the relevant boxes to customize the File Explorer experience according to personal or organizational security policies.

Michael Tran (Windows OS Specialist, Digital Infrastructure Group) advises that disabling Quick Access is particularly beneficial in enterprise environments where minimizing clutter and streamlining navigation is critical. He suggests that users disable both the “Show recently used files” and “Show frequently used folders” options to maintain a clean and distraction-free File Explorer interface.

Sophia Nguyen (IT Consultant and Cybersecurity Expert) notes that while Quick Access offers convenience, it can inadvertently expose sensitive information if multiple users share the same device. She advocates for disabling Quick Access through the Folder Options settings to reduce potential data leakage and improve overall system security.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Quick Access in Windows 10?
Quick Access is a feature in Windows 10 File Explorer that provides easy access to frequently used folders and recently opened files.

Why would I want to turn off Quick Access?
Turning off Quick Access can improve privacy by preventing recent files and frequently used folders from displaying, and it can also reduce clutter in File Explorer.

How do I disable Quick Access from opening by default in File Explorer?
Open File Explorer, go to the View tab, select Options, and under the General tab, change “Open File Explorer to:” from Quick Access to This PC.

Can I clear the Quick Access history without turning it off?
Yes, in File Explorer Options under the Privacy section, click “Clear” to remove the history of recently used files and frequently accessed folders.

Is it possible to remove individual folders from Quick Access?
Yes, right-click the folder you want to remove in Quick Access and select “Unpin from Quick access.”

Does turning off Quick Access affect system performance?
No, disabling Quick Access does not impact system performance; it only changes the File Explorer’s default view and behavior.
Turning off Quick Access in Windows 10 involves adjusting settings within the File Explorer options to prevent it from displaying recent files and frequently used folders. By unchecking options such as “Show recently used files in Quick access” and “Show frequently used folders in Quick access,” users can customize their File Explorer experience to be more private and less cluttered. Additionally, users can clear the Quick Access history to remove any previously stored data.

Disabling Quick Access can enhance privacy and improve workflow efficiency for those who prefer a cleaner navigation pane or want to avoid distractions from frequently accessed items. It also helps in environments where multiple users share the same computer, ensuring that personal file usage is not readily visible to others. The process is straightforward and reversible, allowing users to re-enable Quick Access features whenever desired.

Overall, understanding how to turn off Quick Access empowers users to tailor Windows 10 to their specific needs, balancing convenience with privacy. This customization contributes to a more controlled and personalized file management experience, highlighting the flexibility of the Windows operating system in accommodating diverse user preferences.

Author Profile

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Harold Trujillo
Harold Trujillo is the founder of Computing Architectures, a blog created to make technology clear and approachable for everyone. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harold developed an early fascination with computers that grew into a degree in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. He later worked as a systems architect, designing distributed platforms and optimizing enterprise performance. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching and simplifying complex ideas.

Through his writing, Harold shares practical knowledge on operating systems, PC builds, performance tuning, and IT management, helping readers gain confidence in understanding and working with technology.

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