On Windows 11, the user experience has been enhanced with several intuitive features, and among them stands the ‘Quick Access’ panel. This panel provides a snapshot of your most frequently used folders and recent files, such as documents, pictures, and downloads. Imagine the convenience of having your top-used resources just a click away, without the need to navigate through a labyrinth of folders. However, with this feature, also comes the ability to customize what you want to see. In this guide, we will delve into how to show or hide the ‘Pin to Quick Access’ option in the context menu, ensuring that your Windows 11 experience is tailored to your preferences.
To pin your desired folder to the Quick Access menu, you need to right-click on the folder and select the option Pin to Quick access.
When you want to unpin a folder from Quick Access, Open File Explorer and right-click the item you wish to remove from the Quick Access area; select Unpin from the Quick access option in the context menu.
In this article, we will guide you on hiding or showing “Pin to Quick access” in the context menu of Windows 11.
How to Hide or Remove “Pin to Quick access” in the Context Menu on Windows 11?
To remove or hide “Pin to Quick access” in the context menu on Windows 11, do the following steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, press the Windows + R keys on the keyboard and then type notepad.
Step 2. Next, hit the Enter key on the keyboard to open the Notepad application on your computer.
Step 3. When Notepad opens, copy and paste the following lines:-
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shell\pintohome] [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\pintohome] [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\pintohome] [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Network\shell\pintohome]
Step 4. Then, click the File > Save as option to bring the “Save as” panel.
Step 5. In the “Save as” dialog, select where you want to save the file. Type a “Filename” with the “.reg” extension. Then, select the All files option from the “Save as type” drop-down menu. After that, click on the Save button.
Step 6. When done, double-click on the .reg file and click on the Yes when prompted to remove the Pin to Quick access option from the context menu.
How to Show or Add ‘Pin to Quick access’ in Context Menu on Windows 11?
If on your Windows 11 computer or laptop, ‘Pin to Quick access’ is missing in the context menu, you can bring it back using the following steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, press the Windows + R keys on the keyboard and then type notepad.
Step 2. Next, hit the Enter key on the keyboard to open the Notepad application on your computer.
Step 3. When Notepad opens, copy and paste the following lines:-
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shell\pintohome]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shell\pintohome]
"CommandStateHandler"="{b455f46e-e4af-4035-b0a4-cf18d2f6f28e}"
"CommandStateSync"=""
"MUIVerb"="@shell32.dll,-51377"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shell\pintohome\command]
"DelegateExecute"="{b455f46e-e4af-4035-b0a4-cf18d2f6f28e}"
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\pintohome]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\pintohome]
"CommandStateHandler"="{b455f46e-e4af-4035-b0a4-cf18d2f6f28e}"
"CommandStateSync"=""
"MUIVerb"="@shell32.dll,-51377"
"NeverDefault"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\pintohome\command]
"DelegateExecute"="{b455f46e-e4af-4035-b0a4-cf18d2f6f28e}"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\pintohome]
"AppliesTo"="System.ParsingName:<>\"::{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}\" AND System.ParsingName:<>\"::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\" AND System.IsFolder:=System.StructuredQueryType.Boolean#True"
"MUIVerb"="@shell32.dll,-51377"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\pintohome\command]
"DelegateExecute"="{b455f46e-e4af-4035-b0a4-cf18d2f6f28e}"
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Network\shell\pintohome]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Network\shell\pintohome]
"CommandStateHandler"="{b455f46e-e4af-4035-b0a4-cf18d2f6f28e}"
"CommandStateSync"=""
"MUIVerb"="@shell32.dll,-51377"
"NeverDefault"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Network\shell\pintohome\command]
"DelegateExecute"="{b455f46e-e4af-4035-b0a4-cf18d2f6f28e}"
Step 4. Then, click the file> Save as option to bring the “Save as” panel.
Step 5. In the “Save as” dialog, select where you want to save the file. Type a “Filename” with the “.reg” extension. Then, select the All files option from the “Save as type” drop-down menu. After that, click on the Save button.
Step 6. Once done, double-click on the .reg file and click on Yes when prompted to show the “Pin to Quick access” option in the context menu.
That’s it.
Conclusion
Windows 11 offers enhanced user experience features, one of which is the ‘Quick Access’ panel, allowing easy access to frequently used folders and recent files. This guide provides comprehensive steps on customizing the ‘Pin to Quick Access’ option in the context menu to either show or hide it. By following the described steps, users can make their Windows 11 experience more tailored to their specific needs.
