Personalization Add or Remove Pin to Start Context Menu in Windows 11


Pin_to_Start_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Pin to Start context menu item for all users in Windows 11.

The section at the top of the Start menu :win: is called the Pinned section. This section consists of pins arranged in a grid. The items in this section are a subset of all the apps installed on the PC; not all installed apps are included in this section by default. The number of rows and items in this view are consistent across device panel sizes.

You can Pin to Start an app, drive, file, folder, library, or site to Start.


You must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove the Pin to Start context menu.

This will not affect the Pin to Start context menu in the Start menu.



EXAMPLE: "Pin to Start" context menu

Folder_Pin_to_Start.png
Recycle_Bin_Pin_to_Start.png
Taskbar_Jump_List_Pin_to_Start.jpg



Here's How:

1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.

2 Add "Pin to Start" Context Menu

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Add_Pin_to_Start_context_menu.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\PintoStartScreen]
@="{470C0EBD-5D73-4d58-9CED-E91E22E23282}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\PintoStartScreen]
@="{470C0EBD-5D73-4d58-9CED-E91E22E23282}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft.Website\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\PintoStartScreen]
@="{470C0EBD-5D73-4d58-9CED-E91E22E23282}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\mscfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\PintoStartScreen]
@="{470C0EBD-5D73-4d58-9CED-E91E22E23282}"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked]
"{470C0EBD-5D73-4d58-9CED-E91E22E23282}"=-

3 Remove "Pin to Start" Context Menu

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Remove_Pin_to_Start_context_menu.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\PintoStartScreen]

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\PintoStartScreen]

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft.Website\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\PintoStartScreen]

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\mscfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\PintoStartScreen]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked]
"{470C0EBD-5D73-4d58-9CED-E91E22E23282}"=""

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 

Attachments

Last edited:
Click to expand...
Thanks :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 [22H2] [22621.2428]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Culture-Virus v7.0
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-14900K 3.2 GHz 24-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z790 APEX ENCORE ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
    Memory
    G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-7200 CL34 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC CQ27G2U/BK
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    M.2 1: Samsung SSD 990 PRO 2TB
    M.2 2: Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM1000X SHIFT
    Case
    Phanteks NV9
    Cooling
    Custom Water / Direct-Die Cooling
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 RGB PLATINUM XT Wired Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    ROCCAT LEADR Optical
    Internet Speed
    500mb Direct Fiber
    Browser
    Chrome
This did not work for me.

1654439929041.png


pin to start is gone everywhere else, but remains on the recycle bin.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 [22H2] [22621.2428]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Culture-Virus v7.0
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-14900K 3.2 GHz 24-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z790 APEX ENCORE ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
    Memory
    G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-7200 CL34 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC CQ27G2U/BK
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    M.2 1: Samsung SSD 990 PRO 2TB
    M.2 2: Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM1000X SHIFT
    Case
    Phanteks NV9
    Cooling
    Custom Water / Direct-Die Cooling
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 RGB PLATINUM XT Wired Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    ROCCAT LEADR Optical
    Internet Speed
    500mb Direct Fiber
    Browser
    Chrome
paradoxum said:
This did not work for me.

pin to start is gone everywhere else, but remains on the recycle bin.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure why it's not working for you since it does remove it for me. :unsure:

Did you try restarting the computer to see if it may apply then?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Brink said:
I'm not sure why it's not working for you since it does remove it for me. :unsure:

Did you try restarting the computer to see if it may apply then?
Click to expand...
Yup a couple times.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 [22H2] [22621.2428]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Culture-Virus v7.0
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-14900K 3.2 GHz 24-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG MAXIMUS Z790 APEX ENCORE ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
    Memory
    G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-7200 CL34 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC CQ27G2U/BK
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    M.2 1: Samsung SSD 990 PRO 2TB
    M.2 2: Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM1000X SHIFT
    Case
    Phanteks NV9
    Cooling
    Custom Water / Direct-Die Cooling
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 RGB PLATINUM XT Wired Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    ROCCAT LEADR Optical
    Internet Speed
    500mb Direct Fiber
    Browser
    Chrome
I hope it removes it for me, I've hated the fact that I accidentally pin the recycle bin, for years.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-9700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z390-P
    Memory
    A-Data DDR4 3000 8 GB DDR4 @ 2667 MHz (x2, 16 GB total)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super WindForce OC 8GB GDDR6 by Gigabyte
    Sound Card
    Realtek 7.1 Channel HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viotek GFV22CB 21.5" x2
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @ 144 Hz
    Hard Drives
    SSD1: 1 TB WD Blue SN550 PCI-E NVMe
    SSD2: 500 GB Crucial MX500 3D NAND
    HDD: 750 GB Western Digital WD7500AACS
    USB 1: 3 TB Seagate Backup+ Desk
    USB 2: 4 TB Western Digital My Passport 25E2
    PSU
    Apevia ATX-PR800W Prestige 800W 80+ Gold
    Case
    CyberPowerPC Onyxia II 242W
    Cooling
    ARGB CPU Liquid Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech Media Keyboard K200
    Mouse
    Onikuma CW60
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps average
    Browser
    Firefox x64
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I use this to remove "Pin to start" from the desktop context menu:
Code: 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked]
"{470C0EBD-5D73-4d58-9CED-E91E22E23282}"=""
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro; 21H2, Build 22000.1281
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 3525
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 3 3250 with Radeon Graphics
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD high definition audio device; Realtek audio
    Screen Resolution
    1980x1020
Pinning to start menu is still BUGGED after all these years in Windows 11 23h2, is there a workaround to make it work? MS is just incompetent, it is inconceivable how much.

Create 4 different short cuts of the same exe file with different attributes, for example for wake on lan:

1718407250381.png


1718407285982.png


1718407329912.png


1718407339468.png


Wake LarkX C:\ProgrammeEigen\wakeup\Wake.exe 11-11-be-09-c0-0c 192.168.8.255
Wake NAS C:\ProgrammeEigen\wakeup\Wake.exe 22-11-be-09-c0-0c 192.168.8.255
Wake PC C:\ProgrammeEigen\wakeup\Wake.exe 33-11-be-09-c0-0c 192.168.8.255
Wake PC2 C:\ProgrammeEigen\wakeup\Wake.exe 44-11-be-09-c0-0c 192.168.8.255

Now you cant pin these to start menu, Windows wont notice it are three different shor cuts and would just add one of them. This is just unbelievable how bad Windows 11 is coded.

Putting the 4 lnk files into C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\ also doesnt work, showing randomly just one of the three or sometimes two from inside the start menu search, but not all four of them. Pinning from right click in Explorer also isnt working it shows pin but clicking doesnt do anything, right click and it shows unpin, where it was never pinned in the first place.

Windows 11 is amazing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
maffle said:
Pinning to start menu is still BUGGED after all these years in Windows 11 23h2, is there a workaround to make it work? MS is just incompetent, it is inconceivable how much.

Create 4 different short cuts of the same exe file with different attributes, for example for wake on lan:

View attachment 99191

View attachment 99192

View attachment 99193

View attachment 99194

Wake LarkX C:\ProgrammeEigen\wakeup\Wake.exe 11-11-be-09-c0-0c 192.168.8.255
Wake NAS C:\ProgrammeEigen\wakeup\Wake.exe 22-11-be-09-c0-0c 192.168.8.255
Wake PC C:\ProgrammeEigen\wakeup\Wake.exe 33-11-be-09-c0-0c 192.168.8.255
Wake PC2 C:\ProgrammeEigen\wakeup\Wake.exe 44-11-be-09-c0-0c 192.168.8.255

Now you cant pin these to start menu, Windows wont notice it are three different shor cuts and would just add one of them. This is just unbelievable how bad Windows 11 is coded.

Putting the 4 lnk files into C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\ also doesnt work, showing randomly just one of the three or sometimes two from inside the start menu search, but not all four of them. Pinning from right click in Explorer also isnt working it shows pin but clicking doesnt do anything, right click and it shows unpin, where it was never pinned in the first place.

Windows 11 is amazing.
Click to expand...
Create individual batch files. One per exe.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
It doesn't work for me on windows 23H2 build 22631.5039, any way?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
wernser412 said:
It doesn't work for me on windows 23H2 build 22631.5039, any way?
Click to expand...

Hello, :alien:

Are you trying to add or remove the "Pin to Start" context menu?

Just to confirm, did you do step 7 afterwards to apply?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Brink said:
Hello, :alien:

Are you trying to add or remove the "Pin to Start" context menu?

Just to confirm, did you do step 7 afterwards to apply?
Click to expand...
a) add the "Pin to Start" context menu.
b) Yes, restart the computer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
wernser412 said:
a) add the "Pin to Start" context menu.
b) Yes, restart the computer.
Click to expand...

Is "Pin to Start" completely missing, or for something specific?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
It only appears in the shortcut for files with the "exe" extension, but not in the shortcut for files with the "txt" extension.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
wernser412 said:
It only appears in the shortcut for files with the "exe" extension, but not in the shortcut for files with the "txt" extension.
Click to expand...

Ah, ok. The "Pin to Start" context menu is not available for files. Only for apps.

However, you can use option six in the tutorial below as a workaround to pin to Start a file.

www.elevenforum.com

Pin to Start an App, Drive, File, Folder, or Site in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to pin or unpin an app, drive, file, folder, library, or web site to Start for your account in Windows 11. The Start menu is comprised of three sections: Pinned, All apps, and Recommended. The Start menu contains shortcuts of all your apps, settings, and files...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
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