Pin Apps, Websites, & More to the Windows 11 Taskbar

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Customize your taskbar for easy access with our complete guide

Co-authored by Hunter Rising Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: March 25, 2026 Fact Checked

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Pinning Apps

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File & Folders

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Websites

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Configuring the Taskbar

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Video

Pinning frequently used apps, folders, and sites to the taskbar makes them easily accessible at the bottom of the screen. While pinning apps is pretty straightforward on Windows 11, it takes a little extra work if you want a shortcut for folders and websites. Keep reading, and we’ll cover how to pin anything to your taskbar and configure your settings.

Easy Ways to Pin Items to Your Taskbar

Drag and drop an app into the taskbar.
Right-click on an app from the Start menu or desktop and select Pin to taskbar.
Right-click on a running app in the taskbar and select the Pin option.
Create desktop shortcuts and add “explorer ” to the file path to pin files, folders, and websites.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Pin Apps to the Taskbar on Windows 11

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If you have a shortcut for the app saved in the Start menu or on your desktop, click on it and drag it down to the taskbar. When the word “Link” appears next to your cursor, drop the shortcut and the app will stay in the taskbar.^{[1]
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Open the Start menu on your computer, and type the app you want to add into the search bar. Right-click on the app, and click on the Pin to taskbar option with the thumbtack icon. The app will immediately be added to the taskbar.^{[2]
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An app’s icon temporarily appears in the taskbar until you close the program. If you want to keep the shortcut there, right-click on it in the taskbar and select the Pin to taskbar option.^{[3]
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Pin Folders & Files to the Windows 11 Taskbar

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Create a desktop shortcut for the folder or file you’re pinning. Open File Explorer and look for the folder or file that you want to pin to your taskbar. Right-click on it and select Show more options. When the new dropdown appears, hover over Send to and select the Desktop (create shortcut) option.^{[4]
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- An icon of the folder or file will immediately appear on your computer’s desktop.
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Add “explorer” to the target path in the shortcut properties. Right-click on the desktop shortcut you just created, and select Properties from the menu that pops up. Click into the Target textbox and add the word “explorer” followed by a space before the actual file path. When you’re finished, click OK at the bottom of the window.^{[5]
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- You may also switch the icon picture by selecting the Change Icon button and choosing a new image from the list.
From the desktop, right-click again on the folder or file shortcut. Select Show more options. The Pin to taskbar option will now be available in the menu. Click on it to add the shortcut to the end of the taskbar.^{[6]
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Pin Website Shortcuts to the Taskbar

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Save the site as a shortcut from your browser. Most browsers have a Save option somewhere in the settings to create a shortcut for a site. However, you can easily create a shortcut directly from the desktop.^{[7]
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- Right-click on the desktop and select Show more options.
- Hover over New and choose Shortcut from the dropdown menu.
- Copy the website URL into the location field and click Next.
- Rename the shortcut and click on Finish.
Right-click on the new shortcut you just made, and select Properties from the list. At the start of the Target field, add the word “explorer” followed by a space. Click OK when you’re finished.
From the desktop, right-click on the shortcut icon again. Select Show more options. The Pin to taskbar option will now be available, so click it to add a shortcut to the site directly to the taskbar.^{[8]
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Section 4 of 4:

Configuring the Windows 11 Taskbar

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While the system tray and Start button are permanently on the taskbar, the widgets, search bar, and task view button can be removed. Right-click on the taskbar and choose Taskbar settings from the list. Under the Taskbar items heading, toggle the features on or off.^{[9]
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2
Adjust the taskbar alignment to change the icon placement. While the taskbar will always appear at the bottom of the screen, you can position the icons on the left side or in the center. Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. Under the Taskbar behaviors menu, choose the alignment you prefer from the options.^{[10]
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- Tip: If you've recently upgraded to Windows 11, try left-aligning the taskbar to make Windows 11 look more like Windows 10.
If you want to rearrange the taskbar icons for better flow, click and hold on an icon. Then, move the icon into the position on the taskbar you prefer.^{[11]
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Badges display alerts on the application icon, and flashing signifies when an app needs your attention. If you want to keep your taskbar cleaner, right-click on it and select Taskbar settings. Under Taskbar behaviors, check or uncheck Show badges and Show flashing.^{[12]
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5
Right-click on taskbar icons to unpin them. There’s no limit to how many items you can keep in your taskbar, but too many can start to get cluttered. If you ever want to remove a shortcut, right-click on the icon and select the Unpin from taskbar option.
- If you currently have the app or folder open, it will stay in the taskbar until you close it.