Pinning a folder to the File Explorer’s sidebar allows you to quickly access your favorite folders with just a single click. It eliminates the need to navigate through drives and folders to find and open the folder you want. For example, I pin my work, screenshots, and coding folders in File Explorer so that they are easily accessible no matter where I am in the folder structure. In this tutorial, I will show you how to pin a folder in File Explorer, how to unpin it when it’s not needed, and a lesser-known tip that makes opening pinned folders even more convenient. Let’s get started.
Steps to Pin a Folder in File Explorer
- Press Windows key + I to open File Explorer.
- Right-click on the folder you want to pin to File Explorer.
- Select the Pin to Quick Access option.
- This will pin the folder to File Explorer’s sidebar.
Detailed Steps
First, open the File Explorer. To do that, press the Windows key + I shortcut or click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar.
In the File Explorer window, find the folder you want to pin, right-click on it, and select the Pin to Quick Access option.
This action instantly pins the folder in File Explorer under the Quick Access section on the sidebar.
To access the folder, simply click on it and it opens in the current tab.
A quick tip: Middle-click on the folder to open it in a new tab.
Steps to Unpin a Folder in File Explorer
First, open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + I shortcut. To unpin a folder in File Explorer, right-click on the folder you want to pin under the Quick Access section on the sidebar and select Unpin from Quick Access.
That’s it. It is that simple to pin or unpin a folder in File Explorer. It’s such a simple feature but very useful to access all your frequently used folders with just a single click.
If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist. Also, for those who use the Start menu extensively, you can also pin your favorite folders to the Start menu (for Windows 10 users). Follow the link to learn how.
