How to Pin to Taskbar in Windows

Introduction to Pinning to Taskbar

Pinning to taskbar is a useful feature in Windows that allows you to access your favorite applications, files, and folders with just a click. When you pin an item to the taskbar, it remains accessible even if you close the application or file. This saves you time and effort from searching for frequently used items.

The taskbar is the horizontal bar at the bottom of the Windows desktop, and it displays the Start button, open applications, and other system icons. By default, the taskbar shows commonly used applications and some system icons, but you can customize it to add or remove items to fit your needs.

In this article, we’ll explore how to pin applications, files, and folders to the taskbar in Windows, as well as how to remove items from the taskbar and customize it to improve your productivity.

Pinning Applications to Taskbar

Pinning applications to the taskbar is a simple process that can save you time and make your workflow more efficient. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the application that you want to pin to the taskbar.
2. Right-click on the application’s icon in the taskbar.
3. Select “Pin to taskbar” from the context menu.

The application’s icon will now be permanently displayed on the taskbar. You can open the application by clicking on the icon even if it’s not currently running. You can also move the position of the icon on the taskbar by dragging and dropping it to your preferred location.

If you want to remove an application from the taskbar, simply right-click on the icon and select “Unpin from taskbar” from the context menu.

Pinning Folders to Taskbar

In addition to pinning applications, you can also pin folders to the taskbar for easy access to your frequently used files. Here’s how to do it:

1. Create a shortcut to the folder that you want to pin. You can do this by right-clicking on the folder and selecting “Create shortcut.”
2. Move the shortcut to the desktop.
3. Right-click on the shortcut and select “Properties.”
4. In the “Target” field, add “explorer.exe” before the folder path. For example, if the folder path is “C:UsersUsernameDocuments,” the new target should be “explorer.exe C:UsersUsernameDocuments.”
5. Click “OK” to save the changes.
6. Drag and drop the shortcut to the taskbar.

The folder will now be pinned to the taskbar, and you can access it with just a click. You can also rearrange the position of the folder on the taskbar by dragging and dropping it to your preferred location.

To remove a folder from the taskbar, simply right-click on the shortcut and select “Unpin from taskbar” from the context menu.

Removing Items from Taskbar

If you have items on your taskbar that you no longer need, you can easily remove them. Here’s how to do it:

1. Right-click on the item that you want to remove from the taskbar.
2. Select “Unpin from taskbar” from the context menu.

The item will now be removed from the taskbar. If the item is an application, you can still access it by opening it from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut. If the item is a folder, you can access it from its original location on your computer.

If you want to remove all items from the taskbar at once, you can do so by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting “Taskbar settings.” Scroll down to the “Notification area” section and click on “Turn system icons on or off.” From here, you can turn off system icons like the clock, volume, and network, as well as choose which apps can show notifications on the taskbar.

Customizing Taskbar for Better Productivity

Customizing your taskbar can help you be more productive by making it easier to access the items you use most often. Here are some tips for customizing your taskbar:

1. Pin your most frequently used applications and files to the taskbar for quick access.
2. Use the “Show taskbar on all displays” option to keep the taskbar visible on all of your monitors.
3. Group similar items on the taskbar to keep it organized. To do this, right-click on the taskbar, select “Taskbar settings,” and turn on the “Combine taskbar buttons” option.
4. Use the “Taskbar location on screen” option to move the taskbar to the left, right, or top of your screen, depending on your preference.
5. Customize the taskbar color and transparency by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting “Personalize.” From here, click on “Colors” and scroll down to the “Show accent color on the following surfaces” section. Toggle the “Start, taskbar, and action center” option to customize the taskbar color.

By customizing your taskbar to fit your needs, you can save time and be more productive when using your computer.