Removing Quick Access

I seem to be having a problem permanently removing the Quick Access option from my Windows 10 Creators Update machine (I also had this issue on the Anniversary Update install before upgrading). I get the following icon randomly appearing on my desktop:



and in File Explorer:



If I hit F5 on the desktop or while in File Explorer then the icon disappears.

I removed Quick Access by modifying the following registry key to:

Code:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{679f85cb-0220-4080-b29b-5540cc05aab6}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=dword:a0600000

I also set the following options in File Explorer options:



Is there anything else I should be doing to permanently get rid of Quick Access?

It's a known issue.
Being a 'virtual folder', Quick Access seems to have to make it's presence known no matter what!
As a work around, I've used Winaero Tweaker to customize Quick Access and remove all other unwanted items:

What does Aero Tweaker do differently to what I have already done? Does it permanently remove it from the desktop and File Explorer if I use Aero Tweaker?

xy677 said:

What does Aero Tweaker do differently to what I have already done? Does it permanently remove it from the desktop and File Explorer if I use Aero Tweaker?

Nope.
You have to keep Quick Access but rename it, if you wish, pin only the items you want to Quick Access and remove other items and trees from the navigation pane as desired.

File Explorer will still open to 'This PC' (as set in Folder Options) but you will have a customized navigation pane.

Edwin said:

Nope.
You have to keep Quick Access but rename it, if you wish, pin only the items you want to Quick Access and remove other items and trees from the navigation pane as desired.

File Explorer will still open to 'This PC' (as set in Folder Options) but you will have a customized navigation pane.

Sorry to sound daft but how do I rename it? Also how do I restore it so I can rename it?

Ok so I enabled Quick Access again but it added Downloads,Pictures,Documents and Desktop to File Explorer again so I deleted them from the registry:

Code:

; Delete Downloads:
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{088e3905-0323-4b02-9826-5d99428e115f}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{088e3905-0323-4b02-9826-5d99428e115f}]

; Delete Pictures:
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{24ad3ad4-a569-4530-98e1-ab02f9417aa8}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{24ad3ad4-a569-4530-98e1-ab02f9417aa8}]

; Delete Documents:
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{d3162b92-9365-467a-956b-92703aca08af}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{d3162b92-9365-467a-956b-92703aca08af}]

; Delete Desktop:
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}]

and now File Explorer looks like this:



There is nothing listed in Quick Access and it can't be expanded.

I'll see if this stops the Quick Access icon from appearing on the desktop and in File Explorer.

Argh this didn't work and I am still getting the random Quick Access icon created on the desktop so what else do I need to do to stop this?

my File Explorer looks like this and i'm fine with it.


though it never created a desktop shortcut of Quick Access out of nowhere, ever.

This is how my File Explorer looks:


Notice how there is zero clutter? I like it this way as I am a minimalist...:)

Quick Access is getting in the way of my clean layout...