Windows 10: Is there a way to right click on Windows Explorer to get a list of recently opened folders...

Windows 11 did away with being able to right click on Windows Explorer in the task bar and get a list of folders that one recently opened. This feature still works for applications like Word, Excel, etc. The loss of this feature is a disaster; I used it constantly to navigate my folder tree efficiently. All the articles and discussions I can find say that this is "not a bug, but a feature" of Windows 11. Does anybody know if there is a third party file explore that might have this feature? Or can anyone comment on why Microsoft will not re-enable this feature?

:)

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

What triggers adding a folder to the Recent Folders list?

The Recent Folders list in Windows keeps track of the folders you have recently accessed. The list is populated based on your actions and events within the File Explorer or when interacting with folders in various applications. Typically, a folder will be added to the Recent Folders list when you perform one of the following actions:

• Open the folder directly by double-clicking or right-clicking and selecting "Open."
• Save or open files within the folder from an application.
• Use the "Recent" section in the File Explorer's navigation pane to access a folder.

Simply clicking on a folder or creating a new folder may not always trigger its addition to the Recent Folders list. The list prioritizes folders that you actively engage with or access files from. However, the exact criteria and algorithms used to update the Recent Folders list may vary based on the Windows version and settings.

 

"Recent Items" list vs Opening a folder for Recent Items


Hello all... I am not understanding how MS elected removed the list of recent files and replaced it with opening a folder to see the recent files. That is now a 2 step process because you have to close the folder. I used the "recent items" a lot and I miss it - I'm sure others do ass well.
The solutions offered here only are partial, they only add the link to the start menu / jump lists, but those still open an actual folder which then has to be closed. If you open multiple files, then you have to close multiple folders. Odd...
I'm not a programmer - but I'm thinking (hoping!) that someone around here may be knowledgeable enough to find a way to return the actual "Recent Items" list, without opening a folder.
I'm thinking I may not be alone on this one...
Thank you!!