How to Disable Quick Access in Windows 10

How to Disable Quick Access in Windows 10

Quick Access in Windows 10 is a handy feature that allows users to pin frequently used folders and view recently accessed files. However, not everyone finds it useful, and some may prefer to disable or remove it entirely for privacy or decluttering reasons. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough on how to remove Quick Access from Windows 10.

Why Remove Quick Access?

There are several reasons why you might want to remove Quick Access:

• Privacy concerns: Quick Access displays recently opened files and frequently used folders, which may expose sensitive information.
• Customization: Some users prefer a more minimalist File Explorer.
• Performance: Disabling Quick Access can slightly improve File Explorer’s speed in certain scenarios.

Follow the methods below to remove or disable Quick Access in Windows 10.

Method 1: Disable Quick Access from File Explorer

Step 1: Open File Explorer Options

1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
2. Click on the View tab in the ribbon.
3. Select Options on the right side to open the Folder Options dialog box.

Step 2: Change the Open File Explorer Setting

1. In the General tab, under “Open File Explorer to:”, select This PC instead of Quick Access from the dropdown menu.
2. Click Apply and then OK.

Step 3: Clear File Explorer History

1. In the same Folder Options dialog box, locate the “Privacy” section.
2. Uncheck Show recently used files in Quick Access and Show frequently used folders in Quick Access.
3. Click the Clear button to remove existing history.
4. Click Apply and OK.

Method 2: Remove Quick Access Using Registry Editor

Warning: Modifying the registry can be risky. Make sure to back up your registry before proceeding.

Step 1: Open Registry Editor

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.

Step 2: Navigate to the Quick Access Key

1. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

2. Look for the key named HubMode.

Step 3: Modify the Registry Key

1. Right-click on HubMode, select New, and choose DWORD (32-bit) Value.
2. Name the new value NoConnectedUser.
3. Double-click on NoConnectedUser and set its value to 1.
4. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.

Step 4: Restart File Explorer

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
2. Under the Processes tab, locate Windows Explorer.
3. Right-click on it and choose Restart.

Method 3: Use Group Policy Editor

Note: The Group Policy Editor is only available in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

Step 1: Open Group Policy Editor

1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

Step 2: Locate the Quick Access Settings

1. In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to:

   User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer

2. Look for the policy named Turn off recent items and frequent places.

Step 3: Disable Quick Access

1. Double-click on Turn off recent items and frequent places.
2. Select Enabled and click OK.

Method 4: Use a Third-Party Tool

If you prefer not to manually edit settings, you can use third-party tools like Winaero Tweaker to customize Windows 10, including disabling Quick Access.

Steps to Use Winaero Tweaker

1. Download and install Winaero Tweaker from its official website.
2. Open the application and navigate to the File Explorer settings.
3. Disable Quick Access by toggling the appropriate option.

Conclusion

By following these methods, you can easily disable or remove Quick Access from Windows 10. Whether you prefer adjusting settings, editing the registry, or using third-party tools, these solutions will help you achieve a more customized and private File Explorer experience.