Fix: Documents Folder Missing From File Explorer Quick Access & Sidebar In Windows 11

With the default installation settings, links to the Desktop, Downloads, Documents, Pictures, and Videos folders appear in the left navigation pane of Windows 11 File Explorer.

Users can access the Documents folder by clicking the Documents link in the left pane. However, at times, the Documents folder’s entry or link might go missing from the File Explorer navigation pane for no reason.

If you are unable to locate the Documents folder in the File Explorer sidebar or File Explorer Quick Access (Home), the following methods should help you restore the Documents folder.

Method 1 of 3

Add the Documents folder back to the File Explorer sidebar and Quick Access in Windows 11

Note that this solution works only if you have not turned on OneDrive backup for the Documents folder.

Step 1: Open the File Explorer. Navigate to This PC.

Step 2: Double-click on the drive where Windows 11 is installed. A Windows logo appears on the installation drive icon for easy identification.

Step 3: Double-click the Users folder to open it.

Step 4: Now, double-click your user profile’s folder to see the Desktop, Documents, Pictures, and Downloads folders.

Step 5: Right-click the Documents folder and then click the Pin to Quick Access option to add the Documents folder to File Explorer Quick Access and the sidebar immediately.

NOTE: If the Documents folder is missing from the user profile folder, refer to the directions in Method 2 (scroll down to see).

Method 2 of 3

Add the Documents folder back to the File Explorer sidebar and Quick Access

This method may not work if you have not configured Windows 11 to automatically back up the Documents folder to OneDrive.

Step 1: Open File Explorer.

Step 2: Click the OneDrive entry in the side bar.

Step 3: Your Documents folder should appear here if configured to back up to OneDrive automatically.

Step 4: Right-click the Documents folder and then click the Pin to Quick Access option. That’s it!

Method 3 of 3

Use the search function to add Documents to File Explorer Quick Access and the sidebar in Windows 11

Step 1: Type Documents in the Start menu or taskbar search field to see the Documents entry in the results.

Step 2: Right-click the Documents entry and then click the Open File Location option to open the location of the Documents folder. Note that the File Explorer window might not open, and you might need to click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar.

Step 3: Finally, right-click the Documents entry and then click Pin to Quick Access. Simple as that!