Remove Quick Access in Windows 10: 3 Ways

Quick Access in Windows 10 File Explorer shows your frequently used folders and recent files. Some users find it cluttered or a privacy concern. This guide shows you how to remove Quick Access entirely, or replace it with This PC as the default view.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 10 PC with administrator rights (standard user accounts can still change settings, but some methods may require admin).
• Patience—the registry method is more involved.

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Hide Quick Access from the Navigation Pane (Easiest)

1. Open File Explorer (Win + E).
2. Click the View tab on the ribbon.
3. Click Options (on the right side) to open the Folder Options dialog.
4. In the General tab, under the Privacy section, uncheck both:
   • Show recently used files in Quick Access
   • Show frequently used folders in Quick Access
5. Click Apply, then OK.
6. Quick Access will still appear in the left sidebar, but it will be empty. To remove it from the sidebar entirely, proceed to Method 2.

Method 2: Remove Quick Access from the Navigation Pane (Registry Edit)

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
2. Navigate to:
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}
3. In the right pane, double-click System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree.
4. Change the value from 1 to 0. Click OK.
5. Close Registry Editor and restart File Explorer (or restart your PC).
6. Quick Access will disappear from the navigation pane. To undo, change the value back to 1.

Method 3: Make This PC the Default View (Alternative)

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click View > Options.
3. Under the General tab, next to Open File Explorer to:, select This PC from the drop-down.
4. Click Apply and OK.
5. Now when you open File Explorer, it shows This PC instead of Quick Access. Quick Access still exists in the sidebar, but you can hide it using Method 2.

Common Mistakes

• Only unchecking the privacy options: This clears the content but leaves Quick Access visible in the sidebar. If you want it gone entirely, you need the registry edit.
• Wrong registry key: The CLSID must be exact. A typo will do nothing or could cause an error. Copy and paste the key from this guide.
• Not restarting File Explorer: The change may not appear until you restart the process or reboot. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, find Windows Explorer, right-click and choose Restart.

Tips

• If you only want to remove certain items from Quick Access, right-click them and select Remove from Quick Access.
• You can pin folders you actually use by right-clicking them and choosing Pin to Quick Access.
• To clear the current Quick Access history entirely, open Folder Options and click the Clear button under Privacy.

Troubleshooting

• Quick Access still shows after registry edit: Make sure you edited the correct CLSID and set the value to 0. Restart File Explorer or reboot. If it persists, check if a Group Policy setting overrides it (only on Pro/Enterprise): run gpedit.msc, go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer, and set “Remove Quick Access from File Explorer” to Enabled.
• Registry edit permission denied: You must be logged in as an administrator. Right-click the registry key, choose Permissions, and give your account full control if needed.
• File Explorer crashes after editing: This is rare but can happen if the registry value is corrupted. Revert the value to 1 and restart. If the issue persists, run sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing Quick Access affect my recent files?

No. It only removes the Quick Access view. Your files remain untouched on your drives.

Can I still access recent files without Quick Access?

Yes. You can use the Recent folder in the navigation pane (if enabled) or search in File Explorer.

Is the registry method safe?

Yes, if you follow the steps exactly. Always back up the registry before making changes (right-click the key and choose Export).

Will this work on Windows 11?

No. This guide is specifically for Windows 10. Windows 11 has a different interface.

How do I undo the registry change?

Go back to the same key and change the value back to 1, then restart File Explorer.

Why does Quick Access keep coming back after I delete it?

It shouldn’t. If it does, you may have a group policy or third-party software that resets it. Check Group Policy as described above.

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