Customising the taskbar and Start menu
You can make Windows easier to use by putting your favourite programs where you can reach them. Changes here are safe, and you can always undo them.
Pin a program to the taskbar
- Click Start, then All apps (Windows 10: scroll the list).
- Right-click the program.
- Choose Pin to taskbar. In Windows 10 you may need to choose More first.
If a program is already open, right-click its icon on the taskbar and choose Pin to taskbar.
Remove a pin
Right-click the icon and choose Unpin from taskbar. This does not uninstall the program.
Pin to Start
Right-click a program in the All apps list and choose Pin to Start. In Windows 11, pinned items sit at the top of Start, and you can drag them into the order you want. Windows 10 shows tiles, which can be resized by right-clicking.
Tidy the taskbar
- Windows 11: open Settings, Personalisation, Taskbar to switch on or off Search, Task view, Widgets and more.
- Windows 10: right-click an empty part of the taskbar and choose Taskbar settings. Right-click also lets you hide Cortana and News and interests.
- To move the Start button to the left in Windows 11, use Taskbar behaviours, then Taskbar alignment.
Change what Start shows
Windows 11: Settings, Personalisation, Start. You can show more pins or more recommendations, and choose folders to appear next to the power button. In Windows 10: Settings, Personalisation, Start.
The little icons by the clock can be hidden under an up arrow. Drag them into the arrow or out of it. To control which are shown, look under Taskbar corner icons or Select which icons appear on the taskbar.
Pinned items are easy to re-pin, and nothing here deletes your files.
When to get more help
Get in touch if the taskbar vanishes, freezes or shows blank icons, or if Start will not open. We have a separate guide on Search and Start problems.