How to Pin Apps and Folders on the Start Menu in Windows 10

If you’re looking to customize your Start menu in Windows 10 and want to pin your favorite apps and folders for quick access, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll show you how to easily pin apps and folders to the Start menu in Windows 10, as well as in Windows 8 and Windows 7.

Pinning Apps and Folders in Windows 10

Pinning folders to the Start menu is a great way to keep your frequently used items within reach. So, here’s how you can do it:

Method 1: From the Context Menu

1. Find the folder you want to pin to the Start menu.
2. Right-click on the folder.
3. From the drop-down menu, select “Pin to Start”.

Method 2: Drag and Drop

1. Locate the folder you want to pin.
2. Click and hold on the folder.
3. Drag the folder onto the Start icon in the lower left corner of the screen.

The folder will appear on the right side of the Start menu. You can right-click on it to adjust the size.

Customize the Start Menu

If you want to further customize your Start menu, here’s how you can do it:

1. Right-click on the desktop.
2. Select “Customize” from the drop-down menu.
3. In the Settings screen, choose “Start” from the left menu.
4. Under the Start menu options, you can choose which items you want to see, such as most used apps, recently added apps, and suggestions.
5. Click on the “Choose folders that appear on Start” link to include or exclude specific default folders like documents, videos, downloads, and more.

Pinning in Windows 8 and Windows 7

If you’re using Windows 8 or Windows 7, you can also pin folders to the Start menu. Here’s how:

Windows 8

1. Find the folder you want to pin to the Start menu.
2. Right-click on the folder.
3. Select “Pin to start” from the drop-down menu.

Windows 7

In Windows 7, you have two options to pin folders to the Start menu:

Method 1: Drag and Drop

1. Locate the folder you want to pin.
2. Click and hold on the folder.
3. Drag the folder onto the Windows logo icon in the lower left corner of the screen.
4. When a menu appears, select “Pin to Start menu”.

Method 2: The Reg File Route

1. Open a text editor like Notepad or Notepad++.
2. Copy and paste the following text:
   Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTFolderShellExContextMenuHandlers{a2a9545d-a0c2-32b4-9708-a0b2badd77c8}]
3. Save the file with a .reg extension.
4. Double-click the file to add it to the registry.

Conclusion

Pinning apps and folders to the Start menu in Windows is a handy way to access your frequently used items quickly. Whether you’re using Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7, these methods will help you customize your Start menu to your liking. If you have any questions or additional tips, feel free to leave a comment or reach out to us.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this guide about?

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to pin apps and folders to the Start menu in Windows 10.

How does this guide help?

This guide helps users customize their Start menu by adding their favorite apps and folders for quick access.