Fix: Desktop, Documents, & Downloads Missing From Quick Access

 

The File Explorer Quick Access is a handy way to access frequently accessed files and locations on your computer.

In addition to frequently accessed folders and recent files, with default settings, the Quick Access section of Windows 10 File Explorer has shortcuts to Desktop, Downloads, Documents, Videos, and Pictures folders.

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You can remove a folder from the Quick Access by right-clicking on it and then clicking on the Unpin/Remove from Quick Access option.

Many users remove Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Videos or Pictures folder from Quick Access, but not sure how to add a default folder back to the Quick Access.

There are exactly two easy ways out there to Pin Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Videos, and Pictures folder to the Quick Access. Here is how to do that.

Add missing Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Videos and Pictures to Quick Access

Method 1 of 2

Step 1: Open the File Explorer. In the navigation pane, you should see This PC. If This PC does not show up there, refer to the directions on Method 2.

Step 2: Expand This PC to see Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Videos, and Pictures folder shortcuts.

Step 3: Right-click on the folder shortcut that you want to pin to the Quick Access and then click the Pin to Quick Access option.

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Method 2 of 2

Step 1: Open up This PC. Double-click on the drive where Windows 10 is installed.

Step 2: Locate and double-click on the Users folder. Here, you should see your user profile folder.

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Step 3: Double-click on your user account (profile) folder to open it. For example, Home is the user profile folder on my computer.

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Step 4: You should now see Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Videos, and Pictures folders. To pin a folder to Quick Access, right-click on it and then click Pin to Quick Access option.

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And if you want to remove the Quick Access section from the navigation pane, refer to the directions in our how to remove Quick Access from Windows 10 navigation pane guide.

Tip: If you do not want a file or folder to show up again in Quick Access, right-click on it and then click Remove from Quick Access. The file or folder will not show up again, even if you repeatedly access the file or folder in the future. To pin a file or folder, right-click on it and then click Pin to Quick Access.