File Explorer - Full navigation from Quick Access not possible?

Foebane72 · 20 Jan 2018

I have been on Windows 10 for a few months, and whilst it is mostly fine, File Explorer is driving me up the wall. Can a program be any more broken?

I've been using Quick Access for a while, but is useless in terms of navigating through the hierarchy of a folder, so I can forced to use the awkward path along the top. Even dragging a file from one part of the hierarchy to the other is not possible, so I have to do this awkward Cut and Paste.

The Libraries system, it seems, has been deprecrated in Windows 10 - I cannot apply changes to Folder View layout from one of these and have them stick, and they seem more limited - I can't even add two or more folders to a library anymore, neither! What gives?

All I want is to open explorer to a few folders and no others, and have full navigational and drag and drop functionality, not to mention right-click context menus with third-party options added.

Maybe a FE replacement?

dalchina · 20 Jan 2018

Hi, I'm not sure why you're finding quite such difficulty- maybe these comments will help- I'm sure others will add theirs:

Even dragging a file from one part of the hierarchy to the other is not possible

Drag 'n drop should not be a problem. Perhaps you can post a couple of screenshots to explain what exactly you are having trouble with.
Note: you might also like to try right click drag 'n drop.

right-click context menus with third-party options added.

This has not changed: 3rd party programs often add shell extensions which appear as extra context menu entries. There is a good number of programs you can use to modify these or add your own.

All I want is to open explorer to a few folders and no others

Add or Remove Favorites from Quick Access in Windows 10 Customization Tutorials
may help you with favourites.

Personally, I prefer favourites I can access in most relevant dialogues.
I use Actual Window Manager (expensive) which gives me extra buttons in the title bar on most (bar custom) windows, and I use that for favourites.

File Explorer - Full navigation from Quick Access not possible?-1.png

Another option is to use Listary (free/commercial)

(Both programs do more than shown).

Foebane72 · 20 Jan 2018

Under Quick access, I don't get the "greater than" arrows next to folders that mean I can expand/collapse the hierarchy under that folder.

Is it possible to do drag and drop using the path (the box just under the ribbon that shows the path, each folder having a drop down list of others on the same level, next to the search box at the right)?

dalchina · 20 Jan 2018

Quick Access is for recent files and folders. It's not meant to expand. Those are just shortcuts.

File Explorer - Full navigation from Quick Access not possible?-1.jpg

For that, use the tree in the Navigation pane below it.

Is it possible to do drag and drop using the path (the box just under the ribbon that shows the path, each folder having a drop down list of others on the same level, next to the search box at the right)?

screenshot please... thank you.

You can do rt click drag and copy like this: (here minitool.zip to H:)

File Explorer - Full navigation from Quick Access not possible?-untitled.png

Bree · 20 Jan 2018

Foebane72 said:

I have been on Windows 10 for a few months, and whilst it is mostly fine, File Explorer is driving me up the wall. ... I've been using Quick Access for a while....

Yes. That would drive me up the wall too. The first thing I do in File Explorer is go to the 'File' tab, click 'change folder and search options' then set it to open at 'This PC' rather than 'Quick Access'.

Foebane72 · 21 Jan 2018

I found a solution that suits me for now: Select All Folders from the Navigation Pane so I can click on my User folder, and then make a Shortcut to my most commonly-edited folder. It works, I don't have to use Libraries nor Quick Access, and I have full control in the Navigation Pane.

Now, if only I could put that Shortcut on the Taskbar.

Brink · 21 Jan 2018

Foebane72 said:

I found a solution that suits me for now: Select All Folders from the Navigation Pane so I can click on my User folder, and then make a Shortcut to my most commonly-edited folder. It works, I don't have to use Libraries nor Quick Access, and I have full control in the Navigation Pane.

Now, if only I could put that Shortcut on the Taskbar.

Hello Foebane, :)

If you mean to pin a folder to the taskbar, then the method in the tutorial below can help show you how to.

'Pin to taskbar' Folder and Drive in Windows 10 Customization Tutorials