Windows 10: Disable quick access in Explorer

In Windows 10 you will find the new quick access with your most frequently used data in Explorer. In this article we will tell you how to deactivate it or adapt it to your wishes.

Windows Explorer: Disable new quick access in Windows 10

The new quick access system in Windows 10 is made up of three parts: your most frequently used folders, manually pinned documents and the most recently accessed files. If you want to keep your pinned folders, you can only hide the two new categories:

1. Start the file explorer under Windows 10 with the key combination [Windows] + [E].
2. At the top, switch to the "View" tab and click on "Options".
3. In the "Privacy" section, uncheck "Show recently used files in quick access" and "Show frequently used folders in quick access".
4. Finally save your settings with "OK".

Windows 10: Remove quick access completely

If you also want to remove your pinned folders, you have to dig deeper into the system:

1. First, set the Explorer to start with the workplace instead of the quick access. Otherwise there will be an error message later.
2. Then press the key combination [Windows] + [R] and enter the command "regedit".
3. Confirm the query of the user account control with "Yes".
4. In the registry editor navigate to the path "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ CLSID \ {679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6} \ ShellFolder". If the ShellFolder key does not exist, right-click the previous folder and choose New> Key. Then enter "ShellFolder" as the name.
5. Right-click the ShellFolder key and select the Permissions option.
6. In the list, click on "Administrators" above and activate "Full Control" below. Repeat this step for the "User" entry. Then save the settings with "OK".
7. Now right-click on a free area on the right side and select "New"> "DWORD value (32-bit)". Enter "Attributes" as the name and "a0600000" as the value. If you already have this entry, just double click on it and change the value.
8. Then start the Task Manager with the key combination [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Esc].
9. Find the "Windows Explorer" task and click on "Restart" in the lower right corner. The quick access is now gone.

If the Windows Explorer stops working after the intervention, we will help you on the next page.