How does one expand Quick Access folder in Windows 11?

Topic

New Reply

[castiel]

I am at a total loss for something that should be so simple in Windows 11 File Explorer.

How do I get the “>” to appear before folder names in Quick Access section of Navigation Pane?

For example, I see “Downloads” but want to have “> Downloads” so I can click on the “>” to show subfolders in Downloads.

Right now I am at Windows 11 Pro 23H2.

• This topic was modified 7 months, 3 weeks ago by castiel.

Reply | Quote

Replies

Now I feel like an idiot – appeared the same way in Windows 10.

The folders with the “>” prefix to expand actually are appearing under “This PC” as shown in the Win10 File Explorer screen shot below:

So my question should have been how do I make these folders appear under “This PC” in Windows 11 File Explorer?

I found one way this could be made to happen at:

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/add-or-remove-folders-under-this-pc-in-file-explorer-in-windows-11.7122/

Looks like registry updates – have not yet tried it out. (Why can’t anything be easy?)

Reply | Quote

Curses – all the solutions I am finding to add folders to the Win11 File Explorer “This PC” are adding to the *right pane* – NOT the navigation pane.

If anyone has a solution to add “expandable” folders (Documents, Downloads, etc) to “This PC” in the left hand navigation plan, please let me know…

Can’t say I much like Windows 11 version of File Explorer.

Reply | Quote

I think I have mostly got what I wanted by checking “Show all folders” (In the Navigation pane that gives me the “>” to expand things like Documents, Downloads, etc.)

I guess I am not sure what the “all” in “Show all folders” really means, but maybe I don’t need to know.

I said “mostly got” because deep down I really want the same File Explorer in Win11 that we have in Win 10. Not clear (at all) to me why Microsoft thinks the Win11 File Explorer is an improvement over that of Win10.

Maybe when Microsoft changes the UI to be “better” they should put out a YouTube video explaining and showing why they think the changes are better.

Reply | Quote

castiel wrote:

I guess I am not sure what the “all” in “Show all folders” really means, but maybe I don’t need to know.

By clicking the > (expander icon) you will be able to see any folder or file. To the computer this means it must be able to show all folders and files. If you got thru and click all the > icons you would indeed show all folders.

castiel wrote:

I said “mostly got” because deep down I really want the same File Explorer in Win11 that we have in Win 10. Not clear (at all) to me why Microsoft thinks the Win11 File Explorer is an improvement over that of Win10.

One clunky way to get the Windows 10 File Explorer is to create a shortcut to Administrative Tools which always opens in a Windows 10 File Explorer. From where it opens you can navigate and use Windows 10 File Explorer. Create the shortcut on your Desktop and for the location enter control admintools and Name it what you want.

There a couple other ways to correct this and get Windows 10 File Explorer back. The link below explains how to use Folder Options or how to add a Registry key for a more permanent solution. Is also has a registry hack to get the Windows 10 Desktop on your Windows 11.

Guide: How to Switch back to Win10 File Explorer on Windows 11

HTH, Dana:))

Reply | Quote

Drcard:)) wrote:

There a couple other ways to correct this and get Windows 10 File Explorer back. The link below explains how to use Folder Options or how to add a Registry key for a more permanent solution. Is also has a registry hack to get the Windows 10 Desktop on your Windows 11.

Guide: How to Switch back to Win10 File Explorer on Windows 11

Suggested tweaks at that old-ish article don’t appear to work.

Reply | Quote

castiel wrote:

How do I get the “>” to appear before folder names in Quick Access section of Navigation Pane?

FYI: “Quick Access” does not now appear in the Navigation Pane, but in the right pane of File Explorer on Windows 11:

The default homepage of File Explorer is now called Home. The name Quick access has been repurposed for the pinned/frequent folders section and Pinned files is now called Favorites to align with Office and OneDrive.

File Explorer — Windows Blog — April 6, 2022

Reply | Quote

I had the same issue, and what worked for me was going to File Explorer > Options > View, and checking “Show libraries.” Now the Libraries section appears in the left navigation panel. You do have to double-click to access folders since the library expands first, and then you need to expand the folder to get to the files, but at least everything is easily accessible on the left panel now.

Reply | Quote