How to "Pin to taskbar" and "Unpin from taskbar" Apps in Windows 10


Windows includes a special application desktop toolbar called the taskbar that shows on the bottom of a display screen by default. The taskbar allows you to find, see, open, and switch between your apps. You can also see the date and time, system icons, and items running in the background on the notification area. You can make the taskbar look how you want, manage your calendar, pin your favorite apps to it, change the size, change location on screen, and specify how taskbar buttons group together when you have more than one window open.

Apps you pin to your taskbar are stored and referenced in both locations below.

In the registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Taskband

In a folder:
%AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar

If you have tablet mode turned on, icons of apps pinned to the taskbar will not show unless you turn off Hide app icons on the taskbar in tablet mode.

This tutorial will show you how to Pin to taskbar and Unpin from taskbar apps for your account in Windows 10.

Contents

• Option One: "Pin to taskbar" or "Unpin from taskbar" from File Explorer context menu
• Option Two: "Pin to taskbar" or "Unpin from taskbar" from File Explorer ribbon
• Option Three: "Pin to taskbar" by Dragging App to Taskbar
• Option Four: "Pin to taskbar" or "Unpin from taskbar" from Taskbar
• Option Five: "Pin to taskbar" or "Unpin from taskbar" from Start
• Option Six: "Pin to taskbar" or "Unpin from taskbar" from All apps

EXAMPLE: Pinned apps on taskbar

OPTION ONE

"Pin to taskbar" or "Unpin from taskbar" from File Explorer context menu

1 While on your desktop on in File Explorer, right click, press and hold, or press and hold the "Shift" key and right click on an app (ex: explorer) or shortcut of an app, and do step 2 or step 3 below.

2 If the app is currently pinned to your taskbar, then you can click/tap on Unpin from taskbar to remove it. (see screenshot below)

3 If the app is currently not pinned to your taskbar, then you can click/tap on Pin to taskbar to add it. (see screenshot below)

OPTION TWO

"Pin to taskbar" or "Unpin from taskbar" from File Explorer ribbon

1 While in File Explorer, select an app (ex: "regedit.exe") or shortcut of an app that you want to pin or unpin. (see screenshots below)

2 Click/tap on the Application Tools Manage tab.

3 Click/tap on the Pin to taskbar button in the ribbon.

OPTION THREE

"Pin to taskbar" by Dragging App to Taskbar

1 While on your desktop, in File Explorer, or in Start menu, drag an app (ex: notepad.exe) or shortcut of an app that you want to pin to the taskbar until you see Pin to Taskbar, and release to drop. (see screenshot below)

OPTION FOUR

"Pin to taskbar" or "Unpin from taskbar" from Taskbar

1 While on your taskbar, right click or press and hold on an app (ex: Command Prompt) icon on the taskbar to open it's jump list, and do step 2 or step 3 below.

2 If the app is currently pinned to your taskbar, then you can click/tap on Unpin this program from taskbar to remove it. (see screenshot below)

3 If the opened app is currently not pinned to your taskbar, then you can click/tap on Pin this program to taskbar to add it. (see screenshot below)

OPTION FIVE

"Pin to taskbar" or "Unpin from taskbar" from Start

1 Open your Start menu, right click or press and hold on any app tile (ex: Store) on the Start screen (right side), and do step 2 or step 3 below.

2 If the app is currently pinned to your taskbar, then click/tap More, and click/tap on Unpin from taskbar to remove it. (see screenshot below)

3 If the app is currently not pinned to your taskbar, then click/tap More, and click/tap on Pin to taskbar to add it. (see screenshot below)

OPTION SIX

"Pin to taskbar" or "Unpin from taskbar" from All apps

1 Open All apps in your Start menu, right click or press and hold on any app (ex: Store), and do step 2 or step 3 below.

2 If the app is currently pinned to your taskbar, then click/tap More, and click/tap on Unpin from taskbar to remove it. (see screenshot below)

3 If the app is currently not pinned to your taskbar, then click/tap More, and click/tap on Pin to taskbar to add it. (see screenshot below)

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Enable or Disable Pinned Apps on Taskbar in Windows
• How to Enable or Disable "Pin to taskbar" and "Unpin from taskbar" for Apps in Windows
• How to Add or Remove Pin to Taskbar Context Menu in Windows 10
• How to Pin any File to the Taskbar in Windows 10
• How to 'Pin to taskbar' Folder and Drive in Windows 10
• How to 'Pin to Start' and 'Unpin from Start" items in Windows 10
• How to Pin or Unpin Items on Jump Lists in Windows 10
• How to Backup and Restore Pinned Apps on Taskbar in Windows 10
• How to Reset and Clear All Pinned Apps on Taskbar in Windows 10
• How to Open and Use All apps in Windows 10 Start menu
• How to Use Large or Small Taskbar Buttons in Windows 10
• How to Always, Sometimes, or Never Combine Taskbar Buttons in Windows 10
• How to Enable or Disable Pinning Store app to Taskbar in Windows 8 and Windows 10
• How to Hide or Show App Icons on Taskbar in Tablet Mode in Windows 10
• How to Hide or Show Badges on Taskbar Buttons in Windows 10
• How to Pin and Unpin People Contacts on Taskbar in Windows 10
• How to Pin to Taskbar a Website in Microsoft Edge in Windows 10
• How to Pin Sites to Taskbar in Microsoft Edge Chromium
• How to Change Height or Width Size of Taskbar in Windows 10
• How to Add or Remove File Explorer on Taskbar in Windows 10
• How to Turn On or Off Make Taskbar Icons Easier to Touch when entering Tablet Posture in Windows 10
• How to Enable or Disable Cloud Optimized Taskbars in Windows 10
• How to Pin Android Apps from Your Phone to Taskbar on Windows 10 PC

Windows 11 Tutorials