Folders at Top Disappeared from Quick Access. How to Recover?

Why do some files not appear in quick access?

File Explorer is a well-designed feature on Windows PC. Windows users can access their files in File Explorer very quickly since it records users’ recent operations and shows them recently opened files or folders.

Also, it allows users to manually pin their frequently-used files or folders on the sidebar for faster and easier access.

But it goes wrong sometimes. Some users have complained about the folders at top disappeared from Quick Access.

This is not a rare case. It might result from File Explorer errors, incorrect settings, or accidental deletion – users might have accidentally deleted files in File Explorer.

No matter whether your Quick Access folders disappeared for what reasons, you could check this article and get some help to recover them.

How to recover folders at top disappeared from Quick Access?

It is not peculiar to meet Windows 10 Quick Access not working issue. In this section, three methods are gathered to help you get your folders back to Quick Access.

Method 1. Check your Folder Options settings

It might be the case if you have noticed Quick Access pins disappeared after changing the Folder Options. Even if you didn’t do that, this method is worth trying.

Step 1. Press Windows + E to open This PC or File Explorer > right-click on Quick Access > Options.

Step 2. Under General, find Privacy > tick the two options Show recently used files in Quick access and Show frequently used folders in Quick access.

Now you could get them back after you have found Quick Access folders disappeared.

Method 2. Enable Recent Folders in the File Explorer sidebar

Users who find no problems in Folder Options might need to seek other ways. The recent folders in File Explorer could also help you quickly access your used files or folders.

>> Go and check if there is a recent folders entrance. Start This PC/File Explorer > click Quick access > find the Recent folders.

If there is no “Recent folders” icon, or you find recent folders missing, don’t worry; you could follow the steps here to add it back to your File Explorer.

Step 1. Press Windows + R to start the run window > input shell:::{22877a6d-37a1-461a-91b0-dbda5aaebc99} > click OK.

* If your run window is not working, try inputting shell:::{22877a6d-37a1-461a-91b0-dbda5aaebc99} in the File Explorer directory box directly.

Step 2. Then File Explorer will show you the Recent folders window > click Pin to Quick access on the toolbar.

By doing so, you could add the Recent folders entrance back and get easy access to your wanted files.

Method 3. Reset Folders to bring everything back to normal

Resetting is a feasible measure to fix various issues and bring things back to normal. For instance, users may need to perform a Windows 10 factory reset from boot to get rid of glitches or errors.

If the folder options are all right, and the recent folders are not helpful as well, try resetting the folders to eliminate the errors.

>> Start This PC > right-click on Quick Access > Options > View > click Reset Folders under Folder views.

Thus you could solve the folders at top disappeared from Quick Access issue.

How to recover folders from Quick Access if they were deleted?

The folders might have been wiped from your computer if you still cannot find the lost folders after trying all these methods above.

But there is no need to worry; deletion is one of the biggest reasons for file loss. And there are many tools that can help you undo deletions.

Firstly, you could try seeking them in the Recycle Bin. If you haven’t emptied it, the folders will likely be in the bin. If the deleted folders are not in the Recycle Bin, you could also get help from professional Windows data recovery tools.

MyRecover will be a good choice for its amazing features and efficiency.

Efficient. Data recovery from internal/external HDD/SSD/USB/SD card is supported. 

Comprehensive. More than 200 data types are supported, including images, movies, office documents, zip files, and so on. 

Convenient. You may scan, choose, and recover desired data in three simple stages in only a few minutes. 

Compatible. It is available on Windows 11/10/8/7 SP1/Server, NTFS, FAT32, EXFAT, ReFS, etc.

Now, please follow the steps below to start an easy Windows data recovery journey.

Notes:✎...

It will be better to choose another drive as the destination drive and store the recovered files in case the deleted data in the source drive is overwritten.

Step 1. Install and run the app > hover the mouse over the source drive (where the files were saved initially) > click Scan.

Step 2. Size, Type, Date modified, Path, etc., can help you sort the searched result. Also, input the filenames or extensions to target the files quickly.

Step 3. Go to Deleted files/Recycle Bin > go to the original location > choose the files you want > click Recover x files.

Or go to Other missing files > select specific data types to restore. In addition, this app can help you recover folders disappeared from flash drives.

To sum up

After meeting errors, performing misoperations, or deleting folders, users might find folders at top disappeared from Quick Access.

In this case, users could try checking if their Folder Options are correct, enabling the Recent folder in File Explorer, or resetting the folders.

What’s more, the professional Windows data recovery app – MyRecover can be of help if the folders are deleted.