Windows 10: Removal of Quick Access - can't do it!

I have tried unsuccessfully using the Windows instruction to remove the "Quick Access" from appearing in my desktop after start-up. The standard method of going into "File Explorer Options" and changing the drop-down from "Quick Access" to "This PC" and unchecking the 2 boxes under "Privacy" "Show recently used files in Quick Access" & "Show frequently used folders in Quick Access". In addition, I also tried to tweak registry tweaking settings per Microsoft recommendations and disabled access to my files and was forced to do a "system restore". Is there a true work-around that I can remove "Quick Access" in start-up without damaging/disabling anything else? Thanks!

:)

 

Quick Access bar

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

We would be glad to help you with the issue you are facing today. I understand the difficulty.

Remove items from Quick access.

I would suggest you to follow the below steps.

• Right click on the file or folder.
• Select the option “unpin from the quick access”

To pin items to an item already on the quick access bar.

Follow the below steps.

I would suggest you to create folder in the desktop screen & place all the files or folder which need to pin to the quick access.

• Open the quick access.
• Select the Desktop option.
• Right click on the folder & select the option “pin to quick access”

Hope this helps in resolving the issue. If the issue persists, do get back to us. We will be happy to assist you.



Thank you.

 

Removing Quick Access

Hello @xy677,

If you are still trying to remove "Quick access" from the navigation pane, then double check the tutorial below to see if it may help. It includes a few more steps than what you have in your first post that may help.

Remove Quick access from Navigation Pane in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Customization Tutorials

 

Quick Access - "Location is not available"

I solved the problem without following steps 1, 2, and 3. The solution is stupidly simple and it doesn't make any difference as to whether the problem item in the Quick Access list is pinned or unpinned.

1. Create the folder in the same path where Quick Access reported it to be unlocatable. The folder will be empty.

2. Delete the folder you just created. The Quick Access item that WAS listed in Quick Access disappears!!

Note that #2 does not remove or delete the item from Quick Access. It deletes the empty folder you just created *from the machine* (i.e., it goes to the Recycle bin) and as a consequence of the deletion, it disappears from the Quick Access list.