Do you dislike Quick Access? Here’s how to set up File Explorer to open a different page when you start it.
Upon opening Windows File Explorer, it defaults to the “Quick Access” view, which showcases recently accessed folders and files along with your favorite folders. While this may suit some users, it might not be ideal for those who prioritize seamless access to their cloud storage.
For a detailed walkthrough on setting File Explorer to open OneDrive instead of Quick Access, please refer to this comprehensive guide.
1. Utilize the Folder Preferences
If you wish to set OneDrive as the initial location when opening File Explorer, you can achieve this by configuring folder options. Here are the steps to accomplish this:
1. Begin by accessing the Start menu and entering “File Explorer” into the search box. When the File Explorer icon appears, click on it to launch the application. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut Win + E for a quicker access.
2. Inside the File Explorer window, locate the “See more” option, represented by three dots, positioned at the top. Clicking on this option will open the Folder Options dialog box.
3. Navigate to the General tab, where you’ll find the “Open File Explorer to” dropdown menu. Choose “Username Personal” from the list, with “Username” denoting your Windows account name.
4. Click on Apply and then OK to close the dialog box.
From this point forward, when you open File Explorer, it will automatically open OneDrive instead of Quick Access.
2. Employing the Registry Editor
You can also utilize the Registry Editor to configure OneDrive as your default File Explorer view. However, please exercise caution as incorrect changes to the system registry can potentially harm your computer. We strongly recommend creating a backup of the Windows registry before making any alterations.
Once you’ve backed up, follow these steps to establish OneDrive as the default view:
1. Open the Run dialog box.
2. Enter “regedit” into the text box and press Enter.
3. If you receive a permission prompt, choose “Yes” to proceed, and the Registry Editor window will open.
4. Within the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following path:
5. In the right pane, locate and double-click on the “LaunchTo” entry. If this entry is not present, you’ll need to create it. To do so, right-click on the “Advanced” folder, select “New,” and then choose “DWORD (32-bit) Value.” Name the new value “LaunchTo” and press Enter, creating a new DWORD in the registry.
6. Double-click on the newly created “LaunchTo” value and set its value to 4.
7. Click OK, and then close the Registry Editor.
Following this, please proceed to restart your computer to ensure the modifications are applied. Once your PC has restarted, open File Explorer. Using this approach, you will initiate File Explorer directly to your cloud storage location, eliminating the need to navigate through Quick Access.
3. Employing a Registry File
The third and ultimate approach for configuring OneDrive as the default view entails the utilization of a reg file. This file contains the essential instructions to make the necessary registry changes on your behalf. Therefore, if you are not at ease with using the registry editor, this method is the recommended route.
To create the reg file, proceed as follows:
1. Right-click on your desktop and choose New > Text Document.
2. Name the file “OneDrive.reg” and press Enter.
3. Now, open the file using a text editor like Notepad.
4. Copy and paste the following code into the text document:
5. Once you’ve pasted the provided code, proceed by selecting “File” > “Save as.”
6. In the “Save as” dialog box, choose “All files” from the “Save as type” dropdown menu and press Enter. Ensure that the file is saved with a .reg extension and not as a .txt file.
7. Double-click on the REG file that you have recently generated. If you receive a permission request to modify your computer, click “Yes.”
8. To complete the process and have the adjustments go into effect, simply restart your computer.
Once your system has been rebooted, open File Explorer. You will now observe that OneDrive serves as the primary view, displacing Quick Access.
Configure File Explorer to Start with OneDrive Rather Than Quick Access.
And that concludes our discussion of three distinct approaches to establish OneDrive as your default File Explorer view. If desired, you can apply these same techniques to modify the default views of other folders, like Downloads or This PC. I trust that this guide has proven helpful in simplifying these tasks for you.