Pin to Start Files in Windows 8

How to Add or Remove Pin to Start Context Menu for Files in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

By default, Windows 8 will let you Pin to Start apps , folders, drives, libraries, management consoles (.msc files), and shortcuts to any of these.

This tutorial will let you add or remove "Pin to Start" from the context menu of all files for all users to be able to pin any file to their Start screen and not just the default ones listed above in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

EXAMPLE: "Pin to Start" for All Files

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OPTION ONE

Add or Remove "Pin to Start" in Windows 8 and Windows RT

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1. Do step 2, 3 or 4 below for what you would like to do.​

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2. To Add "Pin to Start" to Context Menu of All Files in Windows 8/RT​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.​

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Add_8_Pin_to_Start_to_Files_Context_Menu.reg​

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3. To Remove "Pin to Start" from Context Menu of All Files​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.​

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Remove_Pin_to_Start_from_Files_Context_Menu.reg​

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4. To Restore Default "Pin to Start" Context Menu in Windows 8/RT​

NOTE: This is the default setting.​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.​

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Restore_8_Default_Pin-to_Start.reg​

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5. Save the .reg file to your Desktop.​

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6. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.​

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7. Click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK when prompted to approve merging the .reg file.​

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8. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​

OPTION TWO

Add or Remove "Pin to Start" in Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1

NOTE: This includes Windows 8.1 Update as well.

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1. Do step 2, 3 or 4 below for what you would like to do.​

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2. To Add "Pin to Start" to Context Menu of All Files in Windows 8.1/RT 8.1​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.​

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Add_8-1_Pin_to_Start_to_Files_Context_Menu.reg​

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3. To Remove "Pin to Start" from Context Menu of All Files​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.​

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Remove_Pin_to_Start_from_Files_Context_Menu.reg​

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4. To Restore Default "Pin to Start" Context Menu in Windows 8.1/RT 8.1​

NOTE: This is the default setting.​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.​

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Restore_8-1_Default_Pin-to_Start.reg​

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5. Save the .reg file to your Desktop.​

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6. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.​

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7. Click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK when prompted to approve merging the .reg file.​

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8. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• Pin or Unpin a App, Folder, Library, or Drive on the "Start" Screen in Windows 8
• How to Pin and Unpin Websites from IE10 to Start Screen in Windows 8
• How to Download a "Start" Screen Shortcut in Windows 8
• How to Reset Your Start Screen in Windows 8
• How to Backup and Restore Start Screen Layout in Windows 8 and 8.1

 

[N30]

Thanks Shawn.

Here's another one to remove when you are at the Desktop.

The ones you gave do not remove "Pin to Start" when I right click a folder.

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\pintostartscreen]
"MUIVerb"="@shell32.dll,-51201"
"NeverDefault"=""
"Description"="@shell32.dll,-51202"
"MultiSelectModel"="Single"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\pintostartscreen\command]
"DelegateExecute"="{470C0EBD-5D73-4d58-9CED-E91E22E23282}"

Ron

 

[Brink]

Thank you Ron. I've updated the files for that, and added a few more items as well.

 

[N30]

Thanks Shawn for the update.

It's funny, but I don't have this key:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\pintostartscreen]

I have the rest of the keys but that one.

But in the end, "Pin to start" is aaalll gone.

:thumb:

 

[Brink]

You're not imagining things. The [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\pintostartscreen] registry entry is not there by default. This is the entry that allows all file types to have the "Pin to Start" option other than just the default application files.

 

[scarli]

Java browser - Interface not allowed...

Hello Folks...
in Windows pro 8 ist a nice tool, it runs my own Java browser from start.
But in WindowsBlue 8.1 prwiew.. i got the message...
Interface not allowed...
but with a Folder from Desktop it works.

Any Ideas ??

 

[Brink]

Hello Scarli,

I've updated the tutorial so that it will work in Windows 8.1 Preview as well now. Please try, and let me know how it works for you.

 

[scarli]

hello brink....thx ist marvellous n best regards from most watch nsa Country...
greetz

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Scarli. Thank you for posting back.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

This simply isn't working for me on my 8 side. I followed the tute to the T, rebooted, and nothing has changed on the context menu. I performed it 3 times to no avail. It's such a simple thing, yet when it doesn't work it's frustrating. Any ideas?

In the mean time, I'll go over to my 8.1 side to see if it works there. I can see where this will be quite handy.

 

[Brink]

This simply isn't working for me on my 8 side. I followed the tute to the T, rebooted, and nothing has changed on the context menu. I performed it 3 times to no avail. It's such a simple thing, yet when it doesn't work it's frustrating. Any ideas?

In the mean time, I'll go over to my 8.1 side to see if it works there. I can see where this will be quite handy.

Hey Tony,

I found what the issue was with Windows 8, and will be updating the tutorial soon after a bit more testing, and will post back when it's ready.

Currently, it works fine in Windows 8.1.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Lol! Thank the gods! I'm not nuts after all! I wrote this in between you deleting your post to change it and me F5ing the thread page.

Hi Shawn,

Lol! Am I living in a different dimension?!! I was just on my 8.1 Preview side, had this thread open to install this, and saw your post answering mine. Now on my 8 side I don't see your post. Please tell me you deleted it otherwise I really am ready for the lunie bin!

Anywho, to answer your question in your post no longer there??; No, it's not within the context menu on my 8 side as in the snip below. It worked on my 8.1 side, though.

Ok. Thanks

 

[Brink]

Ok Tony. Tutorial fully updated and tested to work. Please let me know how it works for you.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Magnifico, Shawn. Thank you very much!

Did it change because of updates? I see it's two separate files for each edition now.

 

[Brink]

Not sure what was the cause, but 8 and 8.1 uses different default registry entries now under the HKCU key for this. Neither works with the other.

Glad to hear it's working for you now though.

 

[m18xr2]

anyway to remove "pin to start" from context menu only for disk drives? ie C:\ D:\ etc..

 

[Brink]

Hello m18xr2,

You could remove "Pin to Start" from the context menu, but it would be from both drives and folder since drives are considered the same as folders.

If that's ok, then let me know and I'll post back with a .reg file that will remove "Pin to Start" for only all drives and folders.

 

[m18xr2]

ah man microsoft needs to allow more customization lol
btw, back in window 7 the "pin to startmenu" and "pin to taskbar" were together the same area and heres a screen shot




but now in windows 8 they are separate. anyway to make the two stick together?

 

[m18xr2]

bump.. sorry for the bump. if theres no way around the above then i give up asking lol, but if theres a work around please do tell

 

[hotrippr]

Once again another very useful tweak. Thanks a lot.