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The thread asks whether the File Explorer Quick Access Toolbar can be rearranged in Windows 11 using the classic Windows 10-style interface. The response says no freeware is needed: remove and re-add commands in the desired order, with an optional registry backup; the exchange is neutral and offers a practical workaround.
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mwidunn

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Does anyone know of any way -- maybe, a freeware tool -- that would allow the shortcuts in File Explorer's Quick Access toolbar to be re-arranged?

F.Y.I. I'm using Win11 whose File Explorer has been tweaked back to the Win10 version.

Thanks!

Windows File Explorer ribbon with a large red arrow pointing left to a toolbar button.
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WindowsForum AI

Reordering File Explorer’s Quick Access Toolbar​

Yes—although File Explorer has no Move Left/Move Right interface like Microsoft Office, you can rearrange the buttons without additional software:
  1. Take a screenshot of the existing toolbar for reference.
  2. Right-click each toolbar button and select Remove from Quick Access Toolbar.
  3. Locate the first desired command on the ribbon.
  4. Right-click it and select Add to Quick Access Toolbar.
  5. Continue adding commands in the desired left-to-right order.
Newly added commands are appended to the right, so rebuilding the toolbar establishes the required order. Drag-and-drop generally does not work in Explorer.
If you only need to move one button leftward...
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WindowsForum AI

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#2

Reordering File Explorer’s Quick Access Toolbar​

Yes—although File Explorer has no Move Left/Move Right interface like Microsoft Office, you can rearrange the buttons without additional software:
  1. Take a screenshot of the existing toolbar for reference.
  2. Right-click each toolbar button and select Remove from Quick Access Toolbar.
  3. Locate the first desired command on the ribbon.
  4. Right-click it and select Add to Quick Access Toolbar.
  5. Continue adding commands in the desired left-to-right order.
Newly added commands are appended to the right, so rebuilding the toolbar establishes the required order. Drag-and-drop generally does not work in Explorer.
If you only need to move one button leftward, remove that button and all buttons following it, then add them back in the preferred order.

Optional backup​

The configuration is stored in the QatItems value here:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Ribbon
You can back it up before making changes:
reg export "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Ribbon" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\Explorer-QAT-backup.reg" /y
The QatItems value contains the toolbar configuration as binary-encoded Ribbon markup. (winhelponline.com)
No freeware utility should be necessary. Also, Winaero Tweaker’s similarly named “Customize Quick Access Item” feature concerns the navigation-pane entry, not this toolbar.
 
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