How to Pin or Unpin Apps to the Taskbar in Windows 8

   Information

This will show you how to pin or unpin a app (.exe file) or shortcut of a installed program to the taskbar on the desktop in Windows 8.

   Note

By default, your pinned apps on the taskbar are saved in both locations below.

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

In the hidden TaskBar folder:
C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar

   Tip

You can also open a program (app) pinned to the taskbar by pressing the Windows + # (1 to 10) keys from anywhere in Windows 8. You would use a number for how the pinned program is ordered on the taskbar from left to right (for taskbar at top or bottom) or top to bottom (for taskbar at left or right) location on the desktop.

   Warning

You will not be able to pin Metro Store apps to the taskbar in Windows 8. These can only be pinned to the Start screen.

EXAMPLE: Windows 8 Taskbar

OPTION ONE

To Pin or Unpin Apps on Taskbar from the Taskbar

1. Go to the Desktop, and do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.
NOTE: You could press the Windows + D keys to go to the desktop.


2. To Pin an App to the Taskbar

A) Drag a .exe file or shortcut of an .exe file to the taskbar until you see the Pin to (app name) pop-up, then drop the app on the taskbar. (see screenshots below)

OR

B) While you have the app (ex: CMD) open, right click or press and hold on it's icon on the taskbar, and click/tap on Pin this program to the taskbar. (see screenshot below)

3. To Unpin an App from the Taskbar

A) Right click or press and hold on a pinned app's icon, and click/tap on Unpin this program from the Taskbar. (see screenshot below)

OPTION TWO

To Pin or Unpin Apps on Taskbar from the "Apps" Screen

1. Open the Apps screen, and do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.


2. To Pin a App to the Taskbar

A) Right click or press and hold on a listed app that you would like to pin to the taskbar to select (check it), then click/tap on Pin to taskbar in the bottom application bar. (see screenshot below)

3. To Unpin an App from the Taskbar

A) Right click or press and hold on a listed app that you would like to unpin from the taskbar to select (check it), then click/tap on Unpin from taskbar in the bottom application bar. (see screenshot below)

OPTION THREE

To Pin or Unpin Apps on Taskbar from the "Start" Screen

1. Go to the Start screen, and do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.
NOTE: You could press the Windows key to go to the "Start" screen.


2. To Pin an App to the Taskbar

A) Right click or press and hold on an app already pinned to Start that you would like to pin to the taskbar to select (check it), then click/tap on Pin to taskbar in the bottom application bar. (see screenshot below)

3. To Unpin an App from the Taskbar

A) Right click or press and hold on an app already pinned to Start that you would like to unpin from the taskbar to select (check it), then click/tap on Unpin from taskbar in the bottom application bar. (see screenshot below)

OPTION FOUR

To Pin or Unpin Apps on Taskbar from Windows Explorer

1. Open Windows Explorer, and do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.
NOTE: You could press the Windows + E keys to open Windows Explorer.

2. To Pin an App to the Taskbar

A) Navigate to the .exe file or shortcut of an .exe file that you would like to pin to the taskbar, right click or press and hold on it, and click/tap on Pin to taskbar. (see screenshot below)

3. To Unpin an App from the Taskbar

A) Navigate to the .exe file or shortcut of an .exe file that you would like to unpin from the taskbar, right click or press and hold on it, and click/tap on Unpin from taskbar. (see screenshot below)

OPTION FIVE

To Pin or Unpin Apps on Taskbar from "Search" Apps

1. Start a Search for the name of the app you want to pin or unpin from the taskbar. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: For example, by just start typing the name of the app while on the Start or Apps screen.

2. Right click or press and hold on the app in the search results, and do step 3 or 4 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshots below)

3. To Pin an App to the Taskbar

A) Click/tap on Pin to taskbar in the bottom application bar. (see screenshot below)

4. To Unpin an App from the Taskbar

A) Click/tap on Unpin from taskbar in the bottom application bar. (see screenshot below)

That's it,
Shawn

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