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 If you have Smart App Control turned on, you will need to unblock the downloaded REG file.

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

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

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

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


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

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Last edited:
Thanks :D
 

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OS
Windows 11 [22H2] [22621.2428]
Computer type
PC/Desktop
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Culture-Virus v7.0
CPU
Intel Core i9-14900K 3.2 GHz 24-Core Processor
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This did not work for me.

1654439929041.png


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

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At a glance

Windows 11 [22H2] [22621.2428]Intel Core i9-14900K 3.2 GHz 24-Core ProcessorG.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5...AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT
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.

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

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?
 

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    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    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,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
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    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
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    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 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
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    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
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?
Yup a couple times.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 [22H2] [22621.2428]Intel Core i9-14900K 3.2 GHz 24-Core ProcessorG.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5...AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT
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.
 

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Windows 11 Pro x64Intel Core i7-9700KA-Data DDR4 3000 8 GB DDR4 @ 2667 MHz (x2, 16...NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super WindForce OC 8G...
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Windows 11 Pro x64
Computer type
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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)
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NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super WindForce OC 8GB GDDR6 by Gigabyte
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Realtek 7.1 Channel HD Audio
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Viotek GFV22CB 21.5" x2
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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
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Apevia ATX-PR800W Prestige 800W 80+ Gold
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Cooling
ARGB CPU Liquid Cooler
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Logitech Media Keyboard K200
Mouse
Onikuma CW60
Internet Speed
500 Mbps average
Browser
Firefox x64
Antivirus
Windows Security
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 My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro; 21H2, Build 22000.1281AMD Ryzen 3 3250 with Radeon Graphics8gbAMD Graphics
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 My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
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.
Create individual batch files. One per exe.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

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

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows
    OS
    Windows
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
It doesn't work for me on windows 23H2 build 22631.5039, any way?

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 My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    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,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 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
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    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
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?
a) add the "Pin to Start" context menu.
b) Yes, restart the computer.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

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

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

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    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,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 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
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    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 Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

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

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.

 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    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,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 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
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    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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