How to Pin Apps to the Taskbar on Windows

The taskbar is the bar that runs along the bottom of your Windows screen. It shows the programs that are currently running and can also hold shortcuts to your favorite apps so you can open them with one click — without searching through the Start menu. Pinning your most-used apps to the taskbar is one of the quickest ways to customize your computer and save time.

To pin an app that is currently open and running, right-click its icon in the taskbar. A small menu will appear — click "Pin to taskbar." The app's icon will stay in the taskbar even after you close the program, ready for you to open it again with a single click.

To pin an app from the Start menu, click the Start button and find the app in your list of programs. Right-click the app's name and select "Pin to taskbar." The app's icon will appear in the taskbar. You can do this for any app — your web browser, email, word processor, photo viewer, or anything else you use regularly.

You can rearrange the order of pinned apps by clicking and dragging their icons left or right along the taskbar. Put your most often used apps on the left side where they are closest to the Start button and most visible.

To remove a pinned app from the taskbar (without uninstalling it from your computer), right-click its icon in the taskbar and select "Unpin from taskbar." The icon will disappear from the taskbar, but the program remains installed on your computer and available in the Start menu.

A good approach is to pin 5 to 8 of your most-used apps. Common choices include your web browser, email app, File Explorer (for managing files), Settings, and any apps you use daily. Having too many pinned apps can make the taskbar crowded and defeat the purpose of quick access.