Can’t pin apps to Start Menu in Windows 10/11 [Full Fix]

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7 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Windows 10 is a user-friendly OS, allowing you to pin to the Start page all the apps you use regularly. Unfortunately, sometimes whenuserstry to pin certain items, they encounter various errors: nothing happens, some of the icon apps are missing, or the apps appear only after reboot.

They just can’t pin tiles to the Start menu.

What can I do if apps won’t pin to Start Menu?

1. Use Group Policy Editor

After changing these settings, your problem should be resolved.

Learn how to edit the Group Policy like an expert with the help ofthis useful guide.

2. Run Windows PowerShell

According tousers, if you can’t pin tiles toStart Menu, the problem might be your antivirus. It can sometimes interfere with Windows 10 and that can cause certainfeaturesto stop working.

However, you easily fix that simply by checking your antivirus settings and disabling the problematic setting. If you can’t find the setting that is responsible for this error, you might have to disable your antivirus altogether to fix the problem.

In some cases, you might even have to uninstall your antivirus.Usersreported problems with Kaspersky Antivirus, however, they managed to fix the issue simply by removing it.

For the Nortonusers, we’ve got adedicated guideon how to completely remove it from your PC. There’s asimilar guidefor McAffeusers, as well.

If you’re using any antivirus solution and you want to completely remove it from your PC, be sure to trydedicated uninstaller softwarethat gets rid of all leftovers that may interfere with your system.

On the other hand, we recommend using an antivirus with little to no impact upon the system configuration or processes. There are antivirus programs that offer high protection against malware.

3. Run the System File Checker

If you can’t pin apps toStart MenuinWindows 10, the issue might befile corruption. This is why we recommend repairing your files using the SFC scan.

4. Drag and drop the apps to the Start Page

A temporary solution found by a user was simply to drag and drop the application from all apps menu to the Start menu.

It’s only a workaround when right-clicking and choosingPin to Startdoesn’t work.

5. Restart Explorer within the Task Manager

Sometimes this issue can be caused by a temporary glitch. Restarting the Explorer process is a quick and easy way to fix this problem.

6. Use Regedit to change the Start page layout

If youcan’t edit your registry, follow the steps in this dedicated guide and learn how you can do it like a pro.

7. Create a new user account

After doing that, switch to the newly createdaccountand check if the issue is still present. If not, it means that your oldaccountis corrupted, so you’ll have to move your files to a newaccountand use it as your main one.

8. Turn off PowerShell

Once your PC restarts, the issue withStart Menushould be resolved and you should be able to pin apps without any problems.

PowerShell is a powerful command-line tool and a core component ofWindows 10. However, fewusersreported that they can’t pin tiles toStart Menudue to PowerShell.

It’s quite unusual to see that PowerShell is interfering withStart Menu, but you can fix this problem simply by disabling it, as mentioned above.

9. Delete the TileDataLayer directory

Once your PC restarts, check if the problem still appears. By deleting this directory you’ll force Windows to recreate your tiles, and the issue should be resolved.

10. Copy the applications to the Programs directory

According tousers, you might be able to circumvent this issue by copying your shortcuts to the Programs directory.

In case you’re not familiar, this directory holds all yourStart Menuapplications, and if you want to add items toStart Menu, you just need to move them to this directory. To do that, just follow these steps:

Someusersare also suggesting copying the shortcut toC:UsersYour_usernameAppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsdirectory, so you might want to try that as well.

Which workaround worked for you? Tell us in the comment section below. Also, leave there any other questions you may have.

The Start Menu is a basic Windows feature that sometimes behaves unexpectedly. Take a look at ourStart Menu Guidesand be prepared for any situation.

For the same reason, bookmark ourWindows 10 Troubleshooting Hubas well.

Can’t pin apps to Start Menu in Windows 10/11 [Full Fix]#

What are the most common errors with the Start Menu?#

What can I do if apps won’t pin to Start Menu?#

1. Use Group Policy Editor#

2. Run Windows PowerShell#

3. Run the System File Checker#

4. Drag and drop the apps to the Start Page#

5. Restart Explorer within the Task Manager#

6. Use Regedit to change the Start page layout#

7. Create a new user account#

8. Turn off PowerShell#

9. Delete the TileDataLayer directory#

10. Copy the applications to the Programs directory#