How to Stop Windows Explorer from Pinning to Quick Access
Are you tired of seeing your frequently used folders and files pinned to Quick Access in Windows Explorer? If so, you’re not alone. Many users find this feature to be intrusive and prefer to have a clean and organized Quick Access section. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to stop Windows Explorer from pinning to Quick Access.
Firstly, it’s important to note that this issue is more common in Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you’re using an older version of Windows, you may not encounter this problem. However, if you’re using the latest operating system and want to disable this feature, follow these steps:
1. Open Windows Explorer: Press the Windows key + E to open Windows Explorer.
2. Access the Registry Editor: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “regedit” and press Enter.
3. Navigate to the following key: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:
“`
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
“`
4. Locate the “StartLayout” value: In the right pane, locate the “StartLayout” value. If you don’t see it, right-click on the right pane and select “New” > “DWORD (32-bit) Value”. Name it “StartLayout”.
5. Modify the “StartLayout” value: Double-click on the “StartLayout” value and set its value data to “0”. This will disable the pinning feature.
6. Close the Registry Editor: Click “OK” to save the changes and close the Registry Editor.
7. Restart Windows Explorer: To apply the changes, you need to restart Windows Explorer. You can do this by closing all open Explorer windows and pressing the Windows key + E to open a new instance.
After following these steps, Windows Explorer should no longer pin folders and files to Quick Access. This will give you a clean and organized Quick Access section, as desired.
It’s worth mentioning that modifying the Registry can be risky if not done correctly. Make sure to create a backup of your Registry before making any changes. Additionally, if you encounter any issues after disabling the pinning feature, you can always restore the Registry to its previous state.
By following this guide, you can easily stop Windows Explorer from pinning to Quick Access and have a more personalized and organized experience.
