How to Backup Quick Access Folders in Windows 10

Quick Access in Windows 10 provides a convenient way to access your most-used folders and files instantly. However, if you experience system resets, reinstallations, or accidental deletions, your Quick Access pinned folders may be lost. Backing up your Quick Access folders ensures you can restore your personalized shortcuts quickly and avoid the hassle of repinning each folder manually. This guide walks you through a simple, step-by-step process to backup and restore your Quick Access folders, helping you maintain productivity and organization with minimal effort.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 10 PC with administrator access
• Basic familiarity with File Explorer
• Optional: a USB drive or external storage device for backup

Step-by-Step

1. Open File Explorer by clicking its icon on the taskbar or pressing Windows key + E.
2. Navigate to the Quick Access folder data location by entering the following path in the address bar: %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations and press Enter.
3. Locate the file named f01b4d95cf55d32a.automaticDestinations-ms. This file stores your Quick Access pinned folders and recent items.
4. Copy this file by right-clicking it and selecting Copy.
5. Paste the copied file into a backup location of your choice, such as a dedicated folder or an external drive. You can do this by right-clicking the destination and selecting Paste.
6. To restore your Quick Access folders later, copy the backup file back to the same original location, replacing the existing one. You can do this by right-clicking the backup file, selecting Copy, navigating to %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations, then right-clicking and choosing Paste to overwrite.
7. Restart your computer or restart Windows Explorer to apply the changes. Your Quick Access folders should now be restored to their previous state.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to close File Explorer or restart Windows Explorer after replacing the backup file, which may prevent changes from taking effect.
• Accidentally deleting or moving the automaticDestinations-ms file instead of copying it, leading to loss of Quick Access data.
• Restoring the backup to a different user account or profile, causing mismatched Quick Access folders.
• Not backing up regularly, risking data loss if system issues occur later.

Tips

• Make multiple backups periodically, especially before major system updates or reinstallations.
• Keep your backup files organized in a dedicated folder for easy management.
• Use external storage devices for backups to prevent data loss if your PC encounters hardware issues.
• Consider creating a batch script to automate the backup process if you frequently update your Quick Access folders.

Troubleshooting

If your Quick Access folders do not restore correctly after replacing the backup file, try the following steps:

1. Close all File Explorer windows and restart Windows Explorer: press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find Windows Explorer, right-click, and select Restart.
2. Ensure that you replaced the correct automaticDestinations-ms file in the right directory.
3. If the Quick Access pins are not restored, delete the existing automaticDestinations-ms file and copy the backup again, then restart Windows Explorer.
4. Check for system updates or file permission issues that might prevent changes from applying.
5. If issues persist, consider resetting Quick Access and repinning folders manually, then backing up again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I back up multiple user profiles at once?

Backing up Quick Access folders is user-specific. You need to repeat the process for each user profile.

Does this backup include recent files or just pinned folders?

The automaticDestinations-ms file stores both pinned folders and recent items, so restoring it will recover both.

Will restoring the backup overwrite my current Quick Access pins?

Yes, replacing the automaticDestinations-ms file will overwrite existing Quick Access pins with those from the backup.

Is there a way to automate this backup process?

Yes, you can create a batch script that copies the backup file to your desired location automatically, which can be scheduled with Task Scheduler.

What should I do if I lose my Quick Access data after a Windows update?

Sometimes updates reset Quick Access data. Restoring from a backup or resetting Quick Access (via File Explorer options) can help recover your folders.

Can I back up Quick Access folders using third-party tools?

Some third-party backup tools can include system files, but manually copying the automaticDestinations-ms file is the most straightforward and reliable method.

Related

• How to Add Memory, CPU, and GPU Widgets in Windows 11
• How to Add Members to a Group in Outlook Easily
• How to Add Members to a Distribution List in Outlook