Quick Access in Windows 10 is the File Explorer section that shows pinned folders, frequently used folders and recent files. If you’d rather File Explorer open to This PC, or you don’t want recent files on display, you can change it in a minute. This guide covers opening File Explorer to This PC, hiding recent files and frequent folders, clearing the history, unpinning folders, and completely removing Quick Access from the navigation pane with a registry setting.
Quick Answer
In File Explorer, click View > Options. On the General tab, set Open File Explorer to to This PC, uncheck both boxes under Privacy, click Clear, and click OK.
Step 1: Open File Explorer to This PC
- Open File Explorer (Windows + E).
- Click the View tab, then Options (or File > Change folder and search options).
- On the General tab, set Open File Explorer to to This PC.
- Click Apply.
Step 2: Stop Showing Recent Files and Frequent Folders
- In the same dialog, under Privacy, uncheck Show recently used files in Quick access.
- Uncheck Show frequently used folders in Quick access.
- Click Clear next to Clear File Explorer history to remove the current list.
- Click OK.
Quick Access now shows only folders you’ve pinned.
Step 3: Unpin Folders
Right-click any folder under Quick access in the left pane and choose Unpin from Quick access. Default pins like Desktop, Downloads, Documents and Pictures can be unpinned too.
Windows 10 has no setting to remove the Quick access entry entirely, but a registry value hides it. Back up the registry or create a restore point first, and only continue if you’re comfortable editing it.
- Complete Step 1 first, so File Explorer doesn’t try to open a hidden Quick Access.
- Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Approve the prompt.
- Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer.
- Right-click in the right pane and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it HubMode.
- Double-click it and set the value to 1.
- Close all File Explorer windows and reopen File Explorer, or restart the PC.
To bring Quick Access back, delete HubMode or set it to 0. This change applies to all users on the PC.
Turn Off Recent Items Everywhere
To stop Windows tracking recently opened files in Start and jump lists as well, go to Settings > Personalization > Start and turn off Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on Start or the taskbar and in File Explorer Quick Access.
Windows 11
In Windows 11, Quick access is called Home. Open File Explorer, click the three dots > Options, and set Open File Explorer to This PC; the Privacy checkboxes work the same way. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disabling Quick Access delete my files?
No. It only changes what File Explorer shows. Files and folders stay where they are.
Why does Quick Access keep showing recent files after I cleared it?
The Privacy boxes are still checked. Uncheck them so new items aren’t added.
Can I disable Quick Access for just my account?
The Options changes are per user. The HubMode registry change affects everyone on the PC.
Summary
- View > Options > Open File Explorer to This PC.
- Uncheck both Privacy boxes and click Clear.
- Unpin folders you don’t need.
- Optional: add HubMode = 1 in the registry to hide Quick Access completely.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.