Removing Quick Access in Windows 10 is a simple process that involves tweaking your File Explorer settings. You can hide Quick Access from view and prevent it from displaying your recent files and frequently used folders. This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to achieve this.
How to Remove Quick Access in Windows 10
By following these steps, you’ll be able to remove or hide Quick Access from your File Explorer, making it cleaner and more organized according to your preferences.
Step 1: Open File Explorer
You can open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in your taskbar or by pressing the Windows key + E.
When you open File Explorer, you’ll see Quick Access right at the top. This is where you start making the changes.
Step 2: Access Folder Options
Click on the "View" tab at the top of the File Explorer window, then click on "Options" on the far right.
The Folder Options window is where you can make changes to how File Explorer behaves and what it displays.
Step 3: Change File Explorer Opening Setting
In the Folder Options window, find the "Open File Explorer to" dropdown menu and change it from "Quick Access" to "This PC."
This change makes File Explorer open to This PC, displaying your drives and folders instead of Quick Access.
Step 4: Clear File Explorer History
Under the Privacy section in the Folder Options window, click the "Clear" button to remove the history of recent files and frequently used folders.
By clearing your history, you ensure that Quick Access doesn’t display any old information even if you revisit it temporarily.
Step 5: Uncheck Privacy Options
Uncheck the boxes for "Show recently used files in Quick access" and "Show frequently used folders in Quick access."
This step ensures that Quick Access remains empty and doesn’t update with new files or folders going forward.
After you’ve completed these steps, Quick Access will no longer be visible in your File Explorer or will be empty if you remove it from the view.
Tips for Removing Quick Access in Windows 10
- If you change your mind later, you can easily revert these settings in the Folder Options window.
- Use This PC view for a more traditional file management experience.
- Clearing your File Explorer history regularly can help maintain privacy.
- Disabling Quick Access might improve File Explorer performance on older systems.
- Customize your File Explorer view further by exploring other options in the Folder Options window.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I restore Quick Access if I change my mind?
You can restore Quick Access by opening Folder Options and changing the settings back to show recent files and frequently used folders.
Will removing Quick Access delete any of my files?
No, removing Quick Access does not delete any files. It simply changes what is displayed in File Explorer.
Can I still access my recent files and folders?
Yes, without Quick Access, you can still find your recent files in the Recent Files folder or by searching directly.
Is this change permanent?
No, you can always go back to Folder Options and re-enable Quick Access if you decide you prefer it.
Will this affect other users on my computer?
These changes are specific to your user account, so other users won’t be affected by your settings.
Summary
- Open File Explorer.
- Access Folder Options.
- Change File Explorer opening setting.
- Clear File Explorer history.
- Uncheck privacy options.
Conclusion
Removing Quick Access in Windows 10 can make your File Explorer cleaner and more tailored to your needs. While Quick Access is helpful for some, others find it unnecessary or cluttered. Follow the steps above to make the change, and enjoy a more streamlined file management experience. If you ever want to revert the changes, you can do so easily by adjusting the same settings. For more tips on customizing Windows 10, keep exploring our guides. Removing Quick Access is just the beginning of making your computer truly yours.
Matthew Burleigh is the head writer at solveyourtech.com, where he covers topics like the iPhone, Microsoft Office, and Google apps. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has over 15 years of IT experience.
He has been writing online since 2008 and has published thousands of articles that have been read millions of times.