Reinstating File Explorer Shortcuts

Hi,

I'm finding out the hard way that Windows 11 is very much a different beast to Windows 10!!

So far, I've managed to delete a number of folders from my File Explorer whilst trying to prevent OneDrive backing up my computer...

Could anyone tell me how put my Desktop and Picture icons where the green arrow is please?



Also, is it possible to get rid of the red area above?

I've tried WinAero Tweaker so see if I can address both of these issues but it doesn't look like it can, so not sure whether that is an option or not.

Thanks

The area that you are pointing to is known as "Quick access". To pin something there, right click the folder in the right pane of File Explorer and select "Pin to Quick access".

As for the upper section, I am not certain. I know that for "Gallery" you need to go into the registry to hide it. I'll research this a little bit and report if I find anything helpful.

cosmarchy said:

I'm finding out the hard way that Windows 11 is very much a different beast to Windows 10!!

Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum. This "beast" is different in some ways but the same in others.

Right, most everything in the Navigation pane above This PC are shortcuts to the actual files/folders. Right-click of one and Properties will show the path to the actual file/folder, default is the items in C:\Users\USERNAMEHERE\.

glasskuter said:

Welcome to the forum. This "beast" is different in some ways but the same in others.

Add or Remove Folders in File Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Libraries, Music, Pictures, and/or Videos folder(s) in the File Explorer navigation pane when using "Show all folders" for all users in Windows 11. The navigation pane is the far left pane in File Explorer used...

www.elevenforum.com

Add or Remove OneDrive from Navigation Pane in Windows 10

How to Add or Remove OneDrive in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

Add or Remove Gallery in File Explorer Navigation Pane in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove Gallery in the navigation pane of File Explorer for your account or all users in Windows 11. Starting with Windows 11 version 22H2 KB5030310 Build 22621.2361, Microsoft is introducing Gallery, a new feature in File Explorer designed to make it...

www.elevenforum.com

Add or Remove Home in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove Home in the navigation pane of File Explorer for your account or all users in Windows 11. Home in the navigation pane is the default homepage of File Explorer (Win+E) that allows you to quickly access and view your pinned/frequent locations...

www.elevenforum.com

Click to expand...

Thank you.

You're most certainly right on that one. There are a few things which I like and are an improvement but other things such as shortcuts which aren't and you only realise after deleting it that the files within are gone .

Horray for backups is all I can say

hsehestedt said:

The area that you are pointing to is known as "Quick access". To pin something there, right click the folder in the right pane of File Explorer and select "Pin to Quick access".

As for the upper section, I am not certain. I know that for "Gallery" you need to go into the registry to hide it. I'll research this a little bit and report if I find anything helpful.

Click to expand...

Thanks for this.

It's quite useful to know how these are supposed to be added without trying to find out by trial and error

cosmarchy said:

but other things such as shortcuts which aren't and you only realise after deleting it that the files within are gone

Click to expand...

Are these files/folders you are relating to located in Onedrive?

When using a MS account the default location for Documents, Desktop, Pictures, and Videos is Onedrive, NOT on your system drive as you have always been accustomed to.
For those who understand how Onedrive works, that is fine. But for those who do not, which is a majority of people, it can be a nightmare. I call it the "Onedrive trap".

You can find out by right clicking on a folder, select properties, look at the location section. For example, right click on your desktop folder. If it says Onedrive in the folder path, you are syncing to Onedrive. If you have other computers also syncing to Onedrive if you delete something from your desktop, it will also delete it from the other computers and vice versa.. The same goes for ALL your other user folders as well.

If you find this to be true as I suspect, there is a procedure I can give you to stop syncing your devices and get you files back on your system drive. Doing this will make all your computers independent of each other as most of us want them to be..