As you may already know, the Quick Access location is a new folder in Windows 10's File Explorer. It is where Explorer opens by default instead of This PC like it was done in previous Windows versions. This new folder shows recent files and frequent folders in a single view. The user can pin desired locations inside Quick Access. The name of the Quick Access folder is hardcoded and cannot be changed using settings or the GUI. In this article, we will see how to bypass this limitation.
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To rename Quick Access in File Explorer in Windows 10, you need to apply a simple Registry tweak. The change will be applied only to your user account; other accounts on your computer won't be affected. Let's see how it can be done.
How to Rename the Quick Access Item in File Explorer in Windows 10
Carefully follows the steps described below.
- Open Registry Editor.
- Go to the following Registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID
Tip: How to jump to the desired registry key with one click.
- Here, create a new subkey named {679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}.
The name is a GUID which describes the Quick Access virtual folder, so once you create it here, you will be able to customize the folder. As mentioned in the beginning of the article, any changes you make here will affect only your user account. Other user accounts won't have this change. - Here, create a new string value called LocalizedString. Set its data value to the new name you want to give to the Quick Access folder. I will use the name "Custom Quick Access". See the following screenshot:
- Under the Registry key, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}, create a new subkey and name it ShellFolder.
- Under the ShellFolder key, create a new 32-bit DWORD value named Attributes. Set its value data to b080010d in Hexademical:
Note: Even if you are running 64-bit Windows you must still create a 32-bit DWORD value. - Again under the ShellFolder key, create a new 32-bit DWORD value named FolderValueFlags. Set its value data to 42220 in Hexademical:
- Go to the following Registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel
- Create here a new 32-bit DWORD value named {679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}. Set its value data as 1.
This will hide the additional Quick Access icon from the Desktop. - Now, restart the Explorer shell. If this does not work for you, then restart Windows 10.
Voila, you just learned how to rename the Quick Access Folder in File Explorer in Windows 10:
To undo the change, do the following:
- Remove the Registry key
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6} - Remove the value {679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6} under the key
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel
- Restart the Explorer shell.
Now see how to change the Quick Access Icon in File Explorer in Windows 10.
That's it. Thanks to our reader "Achille" for sharing this tip!
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Hi Sergei
Just to check a little mistake , at point 9 ( the value must be set to 1 to hide desktop quick access icon )
Otherwise , great find !
regards
Yep you are right. Sorry. Fixed!
Actually there is a little error in step 7. It should be 00042220 (hex) and not 42220. (Worked for me at least.)
On Windows 10.0.16299 Build 16299 and WinAero Tweaker 0.9.0.0 i get 2 entries in Explorer when i edit “Customize Quick Access Item”. On top the normal one and on bottom!
What if you restart the OS?
After reboot (and i did many without tweaking stuff) sometimes its doubled, sometimes not.
I’ll try to observe on which situation now.
Ahh .. and big THANKS for the really great Tweakbox!!!
Same with nojoe, when I customized the quick access name and icon it got doubled, one appeared at the bottom after all the other folders (network, homegroup)
Oh.. Sometimes it disappears though.. I’m not sure why
> i get 2 entries in Explorer when i edit “Customize Quick Access Item”. On top the normal one and on bottom!
Try to delete key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}\ShellFolder\Attributes. This solved the issue for me on Windows 10 v.1803.
How can i remove the pin icon from the quick access? Im sure there’s gotta be a way to do it in registry im just not smart enough. https://ibb.co/gtBRc3Q
I removed it with CustomizerGod in imageres.dll, icon #5100. Just use some blank ico file and you’re good.
Occasionally the second quick access icon shows up despite following the instructions.
https://i.postimg.cc/7hzvhBS1/Screenshot-2021-06-03-200307.png
sign out from your user session
sign in back
it should disappear
When we put a folder in Quickacess, is there a way subfolders of that folder will also show like a tree?
Thank you
Hi.
File Explorer doesn’t support subfolders for Quick Access in the navigation pane.
Dear friend Sergey,
In first place, I hope you’re well and healthy and all yours too, and of course thanks for your amazing job.
Can you tell me if is possible to add it to the HKLM to affect all users account?
Thanks in advanced.
Thanks for your kind words.
Sure it is possible. You can modify HKLM instead
It’s my pleasure, dear Sergey…
And thanks for quick reply…
Can I do it Just swapping HKCR and HKCU for HKLM? Right?
A big Hug.
I used RegScanner to find all that WT change and find this paths…
HKCR\CLSID\{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}
HKU\S-1-5-21-3297714286-56198620-713693508-1001\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}
HKU\S-1-5-21-3297714286-56198620-713693508-1001_Classes\CLSID\{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}
Do I have to change everything to HKLM or just one of them?
Sorry, I’m not a Windows registry expert..
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\{GUID}
Hello Sergey,
Congrats to you and @Achille for the work you shared.
I am using different languages.
Is there a way of applying translations ?
Is changing the icon and its title still possible in Windows 11 ?