Would you like to quickly access your most important or favorite folders directly from the Start menu in Windows 11? Optimizing your workflow and keeping your shortcuts organized can make a big difference, whether you use your PC for everyday tasks or manage a large number of files. While Windows 11 offers intuitive ways to pin folders to the Start menu and Quick Access, the information is often scattered and lacking in detail. That's why we're presenting the most comprehensive and simple guide so you can customize and seamlessly access your essential folders.
In this article, you will discover all the methods to pin favorite folders to both the start menu and quick access in Windows 11, with tips, details, recommendations, and clarifications on the differences between both options.We also provide guidance on how to customize the Start menu, how to take advantage of the context menu, the settings you can modify, and how to customize the experience to your preferences, both in Windows 11 and Windows 10, in case you still share devices with multiple versions of the system. We also include tips on how to organize your folders and improve privacy in Quick Access, along with clear and straightforward explanations so you don't get lost at any step.
What does it mean to pin folders to the Start menu in Windows 11?
In Windows 11, pin folders to the start menu It means setting shortcuts to certain locations on your computer, so that you always have them at hand next to the power button, or in the left panel called "Quick Access" within the File BrowserThis system saves you unnecessary searches and allows you to organize your workspace according to your own criteria, choosing from default folders like Desktop, Documents, or Downloads, or any other custom folder.
Default and custom options for pinning favorite folders in Windows 11
Windows 11 allows pin certain known folders by default (such as Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, Desktop, and Downloads) to the Start menu, right next to the Power button. But you can also add shortcuts to custom folders in other areas, such as the quick access of the file explorer.
The main difference is where you access them: Favorite folders pinned to the Start menu appear directly in the menu itself next to the power button, while Quick Access folders are visible on the left side of File Explorer, both on the Start screen and in the navigation pane.
How to pin favorite default folders to the Windows 11 Start menu
This is the most straightforward option for keeping track of your most frequently used folders, such as Documents, Music, Pictures, Downloads, Videos, Network, and your Home folder. Follow these simple steps to customize your Start menu:
- Click the start button (the Windows icon centered on the taskbar).
- Right click on the bottom of the start menu or go to the settings section by searching for it directly.
- Choose the option "Startup Settings"If you prefer, you can search for "Startup Settings" in the Windows search bar and select it.
- Within the startup settings, locate and select the section "Folders".
- Activate the switches of the folders you want to display next to the power button.
Pin favorite folders to Quick Access from File Explorer
You may prefer to have your own folders that you work in every day (not just the default ones like Documents or Downloads) accessible ultra-quickly. This is where the "Quick access" from the file explorer takes center stage.
To pin custom folders to Quick Access in Windows 11:
- Open the File Browser (you can press Windows key + E or click on its icon).
- Navigate to the folder you want to pin.
- Right click on the chosen folder.
- Select option ยซPin to Quick Accessยป.
Simple as that! The folder will be pinned to the left panel of File Explorer, under the Quick Access section.You can put as many folders as you like there, whether they're local, network, external, or cloud locations like OneDrive.
How to unpin or remove folders from Quick Access
Want to clean up your Quick Access list or remove a folder because you don't use it much anymore? The process is just as simple:
- Locate the pinned folder in Quick Access within File Explorer.
- Right click on it.
- Choose "Unpin from Quick Access".
With this, the folder will no longer appear in the quick access section, but the original folder will not be deleted or moved from its location.
Additional Quick Access settings and how to show only pinned folders
By default, the Quick Access shows both pinned folders and frequently used folders and recent files.If you prefer to only display pinned folders:
- Open File Explorer and select "Sight" on top.
- Click on "Options" (appears on the far right).
- In the options window, look for the section "Privacy".
- Uncheck the boxes for "Show recently used files in Quick access" and "Show frequently used folders in Quick access."
- press Apply To save the changes.
After doing it, Quick access will only show the folders you choose to pin, eliminating any automatic elements that could bother or distract you.
The new Windows 11 context menu
With the arrival of Windows 11, The context menu when right-clicking on files and folders has changed. It's now simpler and displays only the most frequently used commands, making it easier to do things like pin to Quick Access or directly share files with apps.
This menu is the most direct way to pin or remove folders from Quick Access and to access organization or quick action options.
Advanced Start Menu and Taskbar Customization in Windows 11
In addition to pinning folders, you can Customize the Start menu by turning on or off the information and icons you prefer.This can be done by accessing the "Startup Settings":
- Search for "Startup Settings" in the search bar or from the menu itself, and open the corresponding option.
- In the "Folders" section, choose which folders appear next to the power button, activating or deactivating according to your needs.
- You can make other adjustments to show or hide relevant information or to rearrange the visible shortcuts in the Start menu.
If you want to modify the taskbar, the procedure is similar: search for โTaskbar settings,โ enter it, and enable or disable the desired buttons and behaviors.
Which folders can be pinned?
Windows 11 directly limits the Start menu to only certain default folders., but Quick Access is much more flexible. You can pin:
- Any local folder on your PC (e.g. projects, invoices, photos, custom music, etc.).
- Folders on external or network drives, ideal for businesses or those who work with multiple devices.
- Service folders such as OneDrive or synchronized cloud locations.
This multiplies your organizational options, as Quick Access can be a mix of folders from different locations based on your interests.
Extra tips for organization and productivity
- Group folders of the same type: Pinning thematic folders together allows you to keep everything in view, for example, separate work, leisure, or personal folders.
- Rename shortcuts- For clarity, rename folders before pinning them to Quick Access (the name they will have in the panel will be the same as the original folder).
- Remember the independence of access: Removing a folder from Quick Access does not affect the original folder or its files.
- Use the cloud to your advantage: Combine OneDrive or other cloud services by pinning your sync folders to have all your online and offline content just a click away.
Privacy management in Quick Access
If you share a computer or simply prefer to keep your documents private:
- Disable the display of recent files from the privacy options, as explained in the previous sections.
- To remove individual files from Quick Access, Right-click on the file and select "Remove from Quick Access". The file is not deleted, only its quick reference.
Keyboard shortcuts and accesses for greater speed
File Explorer can be quickly opened with the key combination Windows + E, instantly bringing you to Quick Access and your pinned folders. You can even:
- Drag and drop folders to Quick Access directly from Explorer.
- Use arrow keys and the Enter key to navigate through pinned shortcuts without using the mouse.
Personalization in Windows 10: Key Differences
If you're still using Windows 10 devices, the procedure is similar but with some nuances in the menus:
- The start menu opens from the far left instead of centered.
- To choose which folders appear on Start, look for the โChoose which folders appear on Startโ option in Settings, rather than just โFolders.โ
- The Quick Access organization and the procedures for pinning and unpinning folders remain identical, making it easy to migrate your routines when you switch versions.
How does OneDrive affect Quick Access and the Start menu?
Modern versions of Windows integrate OneDrive inside File ExplorerYou can pin folders from your OneDrive account to Quick Access or use their default locations using the same right-click procedure.
This allows you to access your files in the cloud as if they were local, facilitating synchronization between devices and quick access to your most necessary documents anywhere.
Troubleshooting common problems
- The โPin to Quick Accessโ option does not appear: Make sure you're selecting a folder (not a file) and that you have access permissions. Restarting Explorer or updating Windows usually resolves this issue.
- Pinned folder not showingThis could be due to incorrect privacy settings or because your browser is in "This PC" mode instead of "Quick access." Review the steps to show only pinned folders.
- Pinned folders disappear after a reboot- If you're using external or network drives, make sure they're connected before opening Explorer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Customizing the Start and Quick Access Menu
- How many folders can I pin? In Quick Access, the number is practically unlimited, but for usability reasons, it's best not to clutter the sidebar to keep it organized.
- Can you pin a folder directly to the start menu as a tile? In Windows 11, direct tile pinning is restricted to default folders; for other folders, Quick Access is the recommended solution.
- Do pinned folders sync between devices? Only if you use sync services like OneDrive. Local shortcuts only affect the computer you set them up on.
- Can I completely hide recent files? Yes, just uncheck the corresponding boxes in the File Explorer privacy options.
As you can see, pinning favorite folders to both the Start menu and Quick Access in Windows 11 is an effective way to improve your productivity, keep your digital environment more organized, and have all the resources you really need just a click away. Take advantage of the customization options and tricks we've shared to adapt Windows to your own work style. Enjoy seamless access to your important folders and forget about endless searches. Share this guide so other users can learn about the topic..