How to Stop Quick Access on Windows 11

Windows 11 introduces a new feature called Quick Access, which aims to provide users with a convenient way to access their frequently used files and folders. Quick Access can be found in the file explorer and is designed to make it easier for users to navigate through their files. However, some users may find Quick Access to be distracting or unnecessary, and may wish to disable this feature. In this blog post, we will explore why you might want to stop Quick Access on Windows 11 and provide methods to do so.

Video Tutorial:

Why You Need to Stop Quick Access on Windows 11:

While Quick Access can be useful for some users, there are several reasons why you might want to disable it on your Windows 11 system.

Firstly, Quick Access can clutter your file explorer interface, especially if you have a large number of frequently used files and folders. This can make it challenging to navigate through your files and locate specific items.

Secondly, Quick Access is based on machine learning algorithms that analyze your usage patterns and suggest files and folders accordingly. However, these algorithms may not always accurately predict your needs, leading to irrelevant or unnecessary suggestions appearing in Quick Access.

Additionally, if you prefer to have a clean and minimalistic file explorer interface, disabling Quick Access can help you achieve this aesthetic. By removing the Quick Access section, you can focus on accessing your files and folders without any distractions.

Lastly, some users may have privacy concerns regarding the machine learning algorithms used by Quick Access. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of Windows analyzing your usage patterns and making suggestions based on that data, disabling Quick Access can provide peace of mind.

Now that we understand why you might want to stop Quick Access on Windows 11, let’s explore different methods to achieve this.

Method 1: Disabling Quick Access via File Explorer Options:

To disable Quick Access on Windows 11 using the File Explorer Options, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or by pressing Windows key + E.
Step 2: Click on the "View" tab located at the top of the File Explorer window.
Step 3: In the "Layout" section of the View tab, click on "Options" to open the Folder Options dialog box.
Step 4: In the Folder Options dialog box, switch to the "General" tab if it is not already selected.
Step 5: Under the "Privacy" section, uncheck the box that says "Show recently used files in Quick Access" and "Show frequently used folders in Quick Access."
Step 6: Click on the "Apply" button followed by the "OK" button to save the changes.

Pros:
1. Disabling Quick Access via File Explorer Options is a straightforward process.
2. The changes take effect immediately, and Quick Access will no longer display recently used files or frequently used folders.

Cons:
1. Disabling Quick Access via File Explorer Options does not remove the Quick Access section entirely; it only prevents it from displaying recent and frequent items.
2. If you enable Quick Access again in the future, it will reset to its default state, and you will need to disable it again.

Method 2: Modifying the Registry:

WARNING: Modifying the Windows Registry can have unintended consequences if not done correctly. It is recommended to create a backup of your registry before proceeding with this method.

To disable Quick Access on Windows 11 by modifying the registry, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Type "regedit" in the Run dialog box and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Step 3: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
Step 4: In the Explorer folder, right-click on an empty space and select "New" followed by "DWORD (32-bit) Value."
Step 5: Rename the newly created value to "ShowFrequent" (without quotes) and press Enter.
Step 6: Double-click on the "ShowFrequent" value and change its data to "0" (without quotes).
Step 7: Click on the "OK" button to save the changes.
Step 8: Close the Registry Editor.

Pros:
1. Modifying the registry allows for more control over the behavior of Quick Access.
2. Disabling Quick Access via the registry completely removes the Quick Access section from the file explorer interface.

Cons:
1. Modifying the Windows Registry can be risky if not done correctly. It is crucial to follow the steps accurately and create a backup of the registry before making any changes.
2. Disabling Quick Access via the registry requires administrator privileges.

Method 3: Using Group Policy Editor:

NOTE: Group Policy Editor is only available on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. If you are using Windows 11 Home, this method may not be applicable.

To disable Quick Access on Windows 11 using Group Policy Editor, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Type "gpedit.msc" in the Run dialog box and press Enter to open Group Policy Editor.
Step 3: In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following path: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer.
Step 4: In the File Explorer folder, double-click on the "Turn off Quick access" policy.
Step 5: Select the "Enabled" option and click on the "Apply" button followed by the "OK" button to save the changes.
Step 6: Close the Group Policy Editor.