If you like having pinned folders (like Desktop or Downloads) but hate the "Recent Files" section cluttering up the view, you can split the difference.

If you’ve just upgraded to Windows 11 or bought a new PC, you’ve probably noticed that File Explorer is trying very hard to be helpful. By default, it opens to a "Quick Access" view, showing your most frequently used folders and recent files.

Navigate to: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer .