How to Customize "Quick Access Toolbar" in File Explorer in Windows 8 and 8.1
InformationThe new Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) in Windows 8 File Explorer provides a lot of customization opportunities to help make the commands and actions you use most often in File Explorer quicker and easier to use. You can add any button (command) from the ribbon to the QAT, and you can choose to have the QAT display above or below the ribbon. You can choose approximately 200 commands to add to the QAT.
This tutorial will show you how to customize your Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) in File Explorer to add or remove commands in QAT, and to show QAT above or below the Ribbon in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.
This tutorial will show you how to customize your Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) in File Explorer to add or remove commands in QAT, and to show QAT above or below the Ribbon in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.
EXAMPLE: "Quick Access Toolbar" in File Explorer
OPTION ONE
To Show "Quick Access Toolbar" Above or Below Ribbon in File Explorer
1. In File Explorer, click/tap on the Quick Access Toolbar drop down menu arrow or on any command button in the Ribbon, and do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)
2. To Show "Quick Access Toolbar" Above the Ribbon in File Explorer
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Depending on what you right clicked on in step 1, click/tap on Show below the Ribbons (QAT) or Show Quick Access Toolbar below the Ribbon (command).
3. To Show "Quick Access Toolbar" Below the Ribbon in File Explorer
A) Depending on what you right clicked on in step 1, click/tap on Show above the Ribbons (QAT) or Show Quick Access Toolbar above the Ribbon (command).
OPTION TWO
To Add or Remove Commands in "Quick Access Toolbar" in File Explorer
1. In File Explorer, do step 2 and/or 3 below for what you would like to do.
2. To Add Commands (buttons) to "Quick Access Toolbar"
A) Click/tap on the Quick Access Toolbar drop down menu arrow, and click/tap on an unchecked command to check and add it. (see screenshot below)
OR
B) Right click on any command/button or gallery in any Ribbon tab, and click on Add to Quick Access Toolbar. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If Add to Quick Access Toolbar is grayed out, then it means that this button or gallery has already been added.
3. To Remove Commands (buttons) from "Quick Access Toolbar"
A) Click/tap on the Quick Access Toolbar drop down menu arrow, and click/tap on a checked command to uncheck and remove it. (see screenshot below)
OR
B) Right click on a previously added command on the Quick Access Toolbar, and click/tap on Remove from Quick Access Toolbar. (see screenshot below)
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Back Up and Restore Quick Access Toolbar Settings in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Reset Quick Access Toolbar for File Explorer to Default in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Expand or Minimize the File Explorer "Ribbon" in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Add or Remove Columns in File Explorer in Windows 8 and 8.1
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