11 Remove Quick Access | Windows

To completely remove the "Home" icon from the navigation pane, you can edit the Registry. Note: Back up your registry first.

In the section, uncheck "Show recently used files" and "Show frequently used folders". Click Clear to remove history, then Apply . 2. Remove from Sidebar via Registry

File Explorer ➔ Options (...) ➔ General ➔ Open File Explorer to: This PC Method 2: Stop Tracking and Clear Privacy History windows 11 remove quick access

Warning: This method requires editing the Windows Registry. Proceed with caution and back up your registry if you are unsure.

This method configures File Explorer to stop tracking files and open to "This PC" instead of the Home/Quick Access screen. To completely remove the "Home" icon from the

The Quick Access icon vanishes from the left sidebar. It’s like it never existed.

Your Quick Access section is now empty. It will start learning your habits again from scratch. Click Clear to remove history, then Apply

Open , click the three-dot menu (...) , and select Options . In the General tab, set "Open File Explorer to" to This PC .

In the evolution of an operating system, few features have sparked as much quiet, simmering frustration as the "Quick Access" folder in Windows File Explorer. Introduced in Windows 10 and carried over—and controversially entrenched—in Windows 11, Quick Access was designed with benevolent intent: to provide a shortcut to frequently used folders and recently accessed files. Yet, for many users, particularly those who value digital privacy, strict organizational hygiene, or professional workflow efficiency, this feature has morphed from a convenience into an annoyance. While Microsoft does not offer a simple "delete" button for the feature, the process of disabling and effectively removing Quick Access from Windows 11 is not only possible but represents a necessary act of digital liberation, restoring user agency over their own file system.

By default, Windows 11 boots File Explorer straight into the Home/Quick Access screen. You can force it to land on your local storage drives instead. Press Win + E to launch .