Installed Mint 22 on this pc about 2 weeks ago and don't remember seeing the "Files" icon on the panel. Maybe it dissappeared maybe my dumm self accidentially deleted it, but it is not there, not in the menu either. I know it exists since on the other pc with 21 I can launch the filesystem there.
Now, I know I can just add a location and save it as an app, but that does not give me the right-click options that I get with the original (you know, the quick action pop-up or recent folders), how can I re-add it?