Cannot add to Quick Access in File Explorer

Question

_{Monday, May 7, 2018 3:32 PM}

Hi,

One of my users is unable to add anything to her Quick Access in File Explorer.  She gets an error saying she can't access the folder she's trying to add to Quick Access (QA) and details shows error code: 0x80004005 and says it is an unspecified error.

Researching and I found that most think it is related to corruption of something in %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations folder.  I tried the deletion command recommended in most postings and that didn't help and now I find that the Microsoft folder in that path doesn't even exist.  I don't think I deleted it but who knows now?

It was working up until a couple weeks ago so I don't know what changed to break it.  I tried running all Windows updates hoping that would fix it but no luck.  It even installed the spring feature update 1803.

Question is, can I simply recreate that folder structure manually or do I need to delete her profile and make her start over?  Or is there something else I'm missing?

Thanks in advance,

Linn

All replies (6)

_{Tuesday, May 8, 2018 12:00 AM}

To fix this issue go to these two folders:

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations
%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\CustomDestinations

Then delete all the files in those folders.

Alternatively:

Open the command windows by typing 'cmd'
del /F /Q %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\
del /F /Q %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations\
del /F /Q %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\CustomDestinations\
Restart your computer

S.Sengupta,Microsoft MVP Windows and Devices for IT, Windows Insider MVP

_{Tuesday, May 8, 2018 7:50 AM}

Hi lkubler,

Yes, always we could delete the following folder paths.

•%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations

•%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\CustomDestinations

I know you have tried the command. You could find them in File Explorer. Press “Windows + R” to open Run Search Bar. Copy and paste the paths above in Run Search Bar.

I consider that some folder is hidden, so you didn’t find the Microsoft folder.

Hope it will be helpful to you

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help.
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_{Tuesday, May 8, 2018 12:53 PM}

Hi,

Yeah, if you read my original post I mention that this didn't work, see paragraph 2.  Yesterday when I checked from my user's login I couldn't find %APPDATA%\Microsoft.

Perhaps it is hidden because when I looked for it remotely just now I see that %APPDATA%\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows is there, however, I don't see a Recent folder.  And this time I have hidden files made visible and I'm not hiding system files either.

Her computer has been rebooted multiple times.  Is it possible to recreate the Recent folder?

Thanks,

Linn

_{Tuesday, May 8, 2018 1:06 PM}

Hi Carl,

First off, see my response to S.Sengupta above. 

I did some further testing on another computer.  I logged in as a standard user and pinned something to the Quick Access list.  When I look at %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent Items I do not see either of these folders; AutomaticDestinations and CustomDestinations.  And I do have Show Hidden Files, folders and drives turned on and Hide protected operating system files unchecked in Folder Options.

Could it be that under the 1803 update they moved these folders?

Thanks,

Linn

_{Tuesday, May 8, 2018 11:48 PM}

Right-click on Quick Access icon - click Options - click the View tab and click Reset Folders - finally click OK.

Does it help?

S.Sengupta,Microsoft MVP Windows and Devices for IT, Windows Insider MVP

_{Wednesday, May 9, 2018 1:49 PM}

Hi S,

No, unfortunately this didn't seem to work.  We're contemplating deleting her profile and starting over.

Something else I noticed is when she is logged in, I right-click on the Start Menu and select PowerShell I get the same type of error message.  That PowerShell cannot be found on the system.

Logged in as Administrator, PowerShell works fine.

Thanks,

Linn