Solved Help needed to create a shortcut that can be pinned to the taskbar. Not as easy as it sounds.


Mooly

Well-known member
Member
VIP
Local time
12:16 PM
Posts
769
OS
W11 Pro x64 ongoing Canary 29500 latest builds
I am trying to create a shortcut that can be pinned to the taskbar and that will open Libraries to the correct and full Library view. You would think this would be simple but apparently it is proving to be anything but.

Many moons ago it was possible to do just this and create a desktop shortcut that could then be pinned to the taskbar. Currently you can right click the Library header in the left hand pane and create a shortcut that can be pinned to the Start Menu but that is as good as it gets with W11 as it stands today.

What I have found out (if his makes any sense) is that the Library file path is not a 'real' path but more of a virtual one, something to do with Libraries being a Shell folder? and not a real physical location. It all seems pretty complicated.

The Start Menu shortcut you can create is a .lnk type and those are now rejected by the taskbar when you try to pin them. Apparently it needs to be a .exe that points to somewhere 'real' in order to be able to be pinned. I have heard it may be possible to use a short script to convert the file path that the Start Menu shortcut uses into such a .exe one and that point is where it all gets above my paygrade.

Would anyone be able to create a working file path that can be incorporated into a shortcut that can then be dragged or pinned to the taskbar such that it opens Libraries correctly with a single click?

This pins the shortcut to the Start Menu:

Screenshot 2025-09-25 181156.webp

And that shortcut it correctly opens Libraries to a full view. I want a similar shortcut on the Taskbar. Can it be done?

Screenshot 2025-09-25 141309.webp
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

W11 Pro x64 ongoing Canary 29500 latest buildsIntel i58GbIntel HD Graphics
OS
W11 Pro x64 ongoing Canary 29500 latest builds
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell 7760 Mobile Precision 17"
CPU
Intel i5
Motherboard
Unknown
Memory
8Gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics
Sound Card
Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
Internal
Hard Drives
2 x 256Gb SSD
PSU
Dell 240 watt
Mouse
Dell Premier Bluetooth
Internet Speed
50Mbps
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Default Microsoft Security
Hello mate, :alien:

You can use this below to create a shortcut that can be pinned to the taskbar.

explorer "shell:Libraries"

 

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
I can get it on the Start Menu... but not on the taskbar?
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2025-09-25 102523.webp
    Screenshot 2025-09-25 102523.webp
    21 KB · Views: 1

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 25H2 (OS Build 26200.8737)Processor: 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-1135...12GBIntel R Iris R XE Graphics family
OS
Windows 11 25H2 (OS Build 26200.8737)
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell
CPU
Processor: 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-1135G7 @ 2.40G
Motherboard
64-bit operating system Dell 0XMF7W
Memory
12GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel R Iris R XE Graphics family
Sound Card
Cirrus Speakers High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Generic PnP monitor
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
NVMe 670p SSDPEKNU512GZ NVMe I NTEL 512GB
Case
cheap
Mouse
Logitech wireless mouse
Internet Speed
16 Mps download
Browser
Google Chrome
Antivirus
Security: Microsoft Defender & Malwarebytes Premium (with browser guard)
Other Info
Dell model: Inspiron 15 3511
I can get it on the Start Menu... but not on the taskbar?

If you used the path I posted above, you should be able to either:

Drag and drop the shortcut to the taskbar.

Right click shortcut, click on "Show more options", click on "Pin to taskbar".
 

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
Thanks for replying Shawn. Does anything need to be done to such a command though?

If I just paste and click on those shell commands they just seem to open File Explorer, not libraries.

I see two Library commands:
explorer "shell:UsersLibrariesFolder"

and :
explorer "shell:Libraries"

At this point I'm just pasting and opening or does the magic happen when you actually make a shortcut from them.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

W11 Pro x64 ongoing Canary 29500 latest buildsIntel i58GbIntel HD Graphics
OS
W11 Pro x64 ongoing Canary 29500 latest builds
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell 7760 Mobile Precision 17"
CPU
Intel i5
Motherboard
Unknown
Memory
8Gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics
Sound Card
Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
Internal
Hard Drives
2 x 256Gb SSD
PSU
Dell 240 watt
Mouse
Dell Premier Bluetooth
Internet Speed
50Mbps
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Default Microsoft Security
Thanks for replying Shawn. Does anything need to be done to such a command though?

If I just paste and click on those shell commands they just seem to open File Explorer, not libraries.

I see two Library commands:
explorer "shell:UsersLibrariesFolder"

and :
explorer "shell:Libraries"

At this point I'm just pasting and opening or does the magic happen when you actually make a shortcut from them.
Both commands open the same Libraries folder.

You would just need to create a shortcut using the command as the target path, then "Pin to taskbar" as usual with the shortcut.

shortcut.webp
 

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
At this point I'm just pasting and opening or does the magic happen when you actually make a shortcut from them.
Now then, now then, now then. Yes yes yes :-) (y)

That actually seems to work. It opens to Library view when made into a shortcut and... it pins. Yay.

Thanks Shawn.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

W11 Pro x64 ongoing Canary 29500 latest buildsIntel i58GbIntel HD Graphics
OS
W11 Pro x64 ongoing Canary 29500 latest builds
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell 7760 Mobile Precision 17"
CPU
Intel i5
Motherboard
Unknown
Memory
8Gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics
Sound Card
Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
Internal
Hard Drives
2 x 256Gb SSD
PSU
Dell 240 watt
Mouse
Dell Premier Bluetooth
Internet Speed
50Mbps
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Default Microsoft Security
:shawn:
 

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
The power of the forum (y)

All done:

Screenshot 2025-09-25 183841.webp
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

W11 Pro x64 ongoing Canary 29500 latest buildsIntel i58GbIntel HD Graphics
OS
W11 Pro x64 ongoing Canary 29500 latest builds
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell 7760 Mobile Precision 17"
CPU
Intel i5
Motherboard
Unknown
Memory
8Gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics
Sound Card
Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
Internal
Hard Drives
2 x 256Gb SSD
PSU
Dell 240 watt
Mouse
Dell Premier Bluetooth
Internet Speed
50Mbps
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Default Microsoft Security

Latest Support Threads

Back
Top Bottom