Quick Access in File Explorer provides a fast way to access frequently used files and folders. However, users may encounter a frustrating error message: "This file or directory is missing." This issue can appear after updates, system changes, or even accidental deletion of files. While this problem is generally related to system or configuration issues, understanding why it happens and how to troubleshoot it can help you regain control of your file management system.

Pinned Items: Files or folders you manually pin to Quick Access.

Recent Files: Files you’ve recently opened or edited.

Recent Folders: Folders you’ve recently opened.

This makes it convenient for users to navigate to their most-used files without having to hunt through multiple directories.

Common Causes of the "This File or Directory is Missing" Error

The error typically appears when Quick Access tries to load a file or folder that no longer exists or is inaccessible. Here are some common causes:

Deleted Files or Folders: If a file or folder that was previously available in Quick Access is deleted or moved, the system might not update Quick Access correctly.

Corrupted File Explorer Cache: File Explorer uses a cache to track the paths to files and folders. If this cache becomes corrupted, Quick Access may try to link to outdated or missing directories.

Network Issues: If you access network drives or shared folders and they are temporarily unavailable (due to network issues or the drive being disconnected), Quick Access may show this error.

System or Software Updates: Certain updates or system changes can interfere with Quick Access, especially if directories or drives were reconfigured during the update.

Permission Issues: Lack of access rights or permissions to a particular folder or file can lead to this error message appearing.

Incorrectly Configured User Profile: If your user profile has configuration issues, it can affect how Quick Access functions.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing the "This File or Directory is Missing" Error

Let’s walk through the methods to resolve this issue.

1. Reboot Your System

Sometimes a simple restart can fix minor glitches in the system, including Quick Access errors. It’s worth trying to restart your computer first before jumping into more advanced troubleshooting.

2. Remove the Corrupted Item from Quick Access

If you see the "missing" file in Quick Access, try removing it manually.

Step 1: Open File Explorer.

Step 2: Right-click the missing file or folder under Quick Access.

Step 3: Select “Unpin from Quick Access.”

If the file or folder no longer exists, it will disappear from Quick Access after you remove it.

3. Clear Quick Access History

Clearing the history can help reset Quick Access and remove corrupted links.

Step 1: Open File Explorer.

Step 2: Click on the "View" tab and then click on "Options" to open Folder Options.

Step 3: Under the "General" tab, click “Clear” next to the “Privacy” section to clear recent files and folders.

Step 4: Restart your system.

4. Rebuild the File Explorer Cache

Corruption in the File Explorer cache is a common culprit. To rebuild it:

Step 1: Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Type %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent and press Enter.

Step 3: Delete all files in this folder. This will clear the cache.

Step 4: Restart your computer.

5. Check for Network Drive Availability

If you’re accessing files over a network, ensure the network drive is properly connected.

Step 1: Open File Explorer and check if the network location is accessible.

Step 2: If the drive is disconnected or unavailable, reconnect it and check if the error persists.

6. Check Permissions

If the missing file or folder is located in a restricted or protected directory, ensure you have the correct permissions.

Step 1: Right-click the file or folder in File Explorer and choose “Properties.”

Step 2: Go to the "Security" tab and verify that you have permission to access the file or folder.

7. Use System Restore

If the error started after a recent system update or change, using System Restore can revert your system to a previous state where the issue did not occur.

Step 1: Type “System Restore” in the Windows search bar and select “Create a restore point.”

Step 2: In the "System Properties" window, click on “System Restore.”

Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your system to a point where the error did not exist.

8. Update Windows

Ensure your system is up to date, as Microsoft often releases bug fixes and improvements for File Explorer.

Step 1: Go to Settings > Update & Security.

Step 2: Click “Check for Updates” and install any pending updates.

9. Use the Command Prompt to Reset Quick Access

For advanced users, resetting Quick Access via the Command Prompt can be an effective solution.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an administrator (right-click Start > Command Prompt (Admin)).

Step 2: Run the following command:

bash

del /f /q %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\*

Step 3: Restart your system.

This command deletes the Quick Access history, forcing File Explorer to rebuild it from scratch.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If the basic steps haven’t worked, you may need to dive deeper into system settings or use tools to repair Windows components.

1. Check for File System Errors

A corrupt file system can cause issues with Quick Access. Running a check on your system drive may resolve the issue.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

Step 2: Type chkdsk C: /f (replace "C:" with the drive you want to check).

Step 3: Press Enter and allow the system to check and repair any file system errors.

2. Create a New User Profile

If your user profile is corrupted, Quick Access might behave unpredictably. Try creating a new user account:

Step 1: Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.

Step 2: Add a new user account and sign in.

Step 3: Check if the error persists in the new account.

3. Reset Windows 10/11

As a last resort, if nothing else works, you can perform a system reset to fix deep-rooted issues. This option will reinstall Windows but give you the option to keep your files.

Step 1: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.

Step 2: Click "Get Started" under Reset this PC.

Step 3: Follow the prompts to reset your system.