Alternative methods for unpinning from Start?

I don't know if this is a bug or fluke, but I had two Office 2016 apps pinned to Start in Win10. Later, I uninstalled Office 2016. Instead of the two pinned items also disappearing, they stuck around, but now they're just blank squares that (of course) do nothing.

The problem is removing them: when you right click one, the only option available is resizing. Hovering over either of them shows this:
w~{7c5a40ef-a0fb-4bfc-874a-c0f2e0b9fa8e\Microsc

So I searched the Registry for the numerical part of that, but I see nothing useful that ties to pinning or the former apps. I also searched for files that include that string, but there are none.

Where are pinned Start menu (right side) items stored then? I have a feeling they're in a database or some other subtle place that even if we found it wouldn't be helpful. One thing is for sure: it's not the "User Pinned" folder in the profile (that would be too straightforward).

Lesson learned though: unpin stuff before removing the program.

rseiler said:

Where are pinned Start menu (right side) items stored then?

Hi, go to: My computer / Local drive C: / ProgramData (a hidden folder so go to Windows Explorer /File / Change Folder and Search oprions / Folder Options / View / mark Show hidden files, folders and drives) / Microsoft / Windows / Start Menu / Programs.

As an alternative use Everything app typing in "Office" to see if there are any traces left after the removal.

Those two locations, unfortunately, are the traditional places in Windows for Start menu items (the left side of Start), not where the blocks are located (the right side of Start). Microsoft invented a whole new place/system for that, which I'm beginning to think is either a single nondescript file that very likely can't be edited, or an even more obscure (possibly encrypted) place in the Registry that's equally untouchable.

Yes, I've definitely been using "Everything" a lot, but no related hits so far.

Yes, too bad they don't make it that easy for the squares.

No luck with the icon cache rebuild, though I did have some hope. Still going through the CCleaner output, but so far no smoking gun.

rseiler said:

I have a feeling they're in a database or some other subtle place that even if we found it wouldn't be helpful.

Apparently you are right - on all counts. It's a database and, no, finding it doesn't appear to be helpful.
Looks like it's here: C:\Users\<your_name>\AppData\Local\TileDataLayer\Database