How do I remove recent files from Quick Access? This is a common question among Windows users who want to maintain a clean and organized desktop experience. Quick Access is a feature in Windows that displays frequently accessed files, folders, and OneDrive locations in the File Explorer sidebar. While it can be convenient to quickly access your most used files, there are times when you might want to remove recent files from Quick Access to keep your privacy or declutter your file list. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to remove recent files from Quick Access on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Firstly, it’s important to note that the steps to remove recent files from Quick Access may vary slightly depending on the version of Windows you are using. However, the general process is quite similar across both versions. Here’s how you can do it:
1.
Open File Explorer by clicking on the File Explorer icon in the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key + E.
2.
In the File Explorer sidebar, click on “Quick Access” to expand the section.
3.
Right-click on the recent file or folder you want to remove from Quick Access and select “Remove from Quick Access” from the context menu.
4.
Alternatively, you can click on the “Clear” button at the bottom of the Quick Access section to remove all recent files and folders from the list.
5.
For a more permanent solution, you can disable the Quick Access feature altogether. To do this, right-click on the File Explorer icon in the taskbar, select “Properties,” and then go to the “General” tab. Uncheck the “Use Quick Access (instead of This PC)” option and click “OK” to save the changes.
By following these steps, you should be able to remove recent files from Quick Access on your Windows computer. This will help you maintain a clean and organized workspace, and it can also protect your privacy by keeping sensitive files out of the Quick Access list. Remember that you can always re-enable Quick Access if you change your mind and want to regain access to your frequently used files.
