When you install an application on your Windows computer, the program’s executable file goes to the C: drive by default or a custom install location you select. To open this app, you must find it in its installation directory. However, the Windows operating system makes searching for installed programs simple with the help of the taskbar and Start menu.
By default, the places programs and notifications that you’d frequently use on the taskbar and/or Start menu. Some examples of these apps include icons for network, power, clock, touchpad, and volume.
Users can pin their most-used applications to the Start menu or taskbar for quick access. However, some people may not know how to actually get the program icons to show up in the taskbar or Start menu.
On this page, you’ll find quick guides to pin and unpin program icons on the Windows taskbar as well as the Start menu in Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Pin or unpin program icons on the Start menu and Taskbar
In this section, I’ll show you the best methods for performing the following operations to customize your taskbar and Start menu:
- Pin and unpin program icons to the taskbar.
- Pin and unpin program icons to the Start menu.
Without further ado, let’s explore the steps for the above processes.
1] Pin and unpin program icons to the taskbar
- Press the Windows key and search for the program you want to pin to the taskbar.
- Right-click on the program from the results and select the Pin to taskbar (or Unpin) option.
- If you don’t find this option, go to More, and you’ll see it there.
Alternative Method:
- Launch the program that you want to pin to the taskbar.
- Right-click on the program’s icon on the taskbar and select the Pin to taskbar option.
2] Pin and unpin program icons to the Start menu
- Press the Windows key and search for the app you wish to pin to the Start menu.
- From the search results, right-click on the program and hit Pin to Start. To unpin the program, select the Unpin from Start option.
- This option can also be hidden in the More option in the context menu.
- So, go to More > Pin to Start or Unpin from Start.
The methods for pinning and unpinning applications to the taskbar or Start menu are similar. What you should understand is that the steps work everywhere.
To do so, locate the program’s shortcut, right-click on it, and select the appropriate option from the context menu.
Next, read this interesting article on how to group taskbar icons.
