Getting your Windows 11 home screen looking alright with your favourite apps is usually pretty simple, but sometimes things just don’t go to plan. Maybe you’ve pinned apps but they don’t turn up where you want them, or the icons disappear after a reboot. It’s a bit of a pain, right? This guide covers some common issues folks run into when organising their start menu and taskbar, plus solid tips that actually work. Whether it’s fixing a laggy pin, getting apps to stay put after updates, or troubleshooting pin options that seem to do nought — these tips should make things a fair bit easier. Because, let’s be honest, Windows likes to complicate things sometimes.
How to Put Apps on the Home Screen in Windows 11
Getting apps to stay where you want them in Windows 11 is all about knowing where to look and sometimes fiddling with settings or giving things a quick reset. If apps randomly vanish or won’t pin, no worries — there are fixes. After giving these a go, you’ll probably notice apps stay put and launching your favourites becomes much quicker. Fewer head-scratching moments when stuff disappears from your start menu or taskbar.
Method 1: Use the Pin Options Properly
Pinning apps is usually a doddle: right-click, then select Pin to Start or Pin to Taskbar. But sometimes, updates or profile glitches get in the way. First, double-check you’re right-clicking on the app icon in the Start menu or All apps list (press Windows + S to search). If the pin option’s missing or won’t work, try this:
- Close all open apps.
- Open Settings > Personalisation > Start.
- Make sure the toggles for Show recently added apps and Show most used apps are on — sometimes that helps with pins showing up.
- Then, try pinning again.
On some setups, this helps keep pinned apps in place after restarting or doing Windows updates. If it still doesn’t stick, move on to the next method.
Method 2: Reset the Start Menu Cache
Yeah, sounds odd, but resetting the start menu cache can sort out icons that go missing or won’t pin properly. This little trick often clears out those ghost apps or stuck icons. Here’s how:
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
- Find and right-click Windows Desktop Manager, then choose Restart. This refreshes the shell and can fix pinning bugs.
- Alternatively, run this command in PowerShell or Command Prompt as an admin:
Get-AppXPackage -Name Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}This re-registers the start menu, which can solve stubborn pinning problems. Expect a quick flick of the screen — Windows is just reloading some bits.
Method 3: Add Apps Manually via Settings or Drag & Drop
Sometimes dragging apps from the start menu or desktop straight onto the taskbar does the trick, especially if right-clicking isn’t working anymore. If dragging doesn’t do it, try this workaround:
- Go to Settings > Personalisation > Start > Folders.
- Switch on options for Show apps folder or similar.
- Now, head to Start Menu > All apps, find your app, right-click and select Open file location.
- Copy that shortcut, then paste it onto your desktop. Right-click the shortcut and choose Pin to Taskbar.
This often does the trick if apps won’t pin directly or keep disappearing. It’s a bit of a workaround, but works pretty reliably in some cases.
Extra Tips to Make It Stick
- Give your Windows Explorer a restart after pinning a bunch of apps — helps keep things in place.
- Make sure your Windows 11 is up-to-date. Sometimes these bugs get fixed with updates.
- For more customisation options when built-in pinning plays up, try third-party tools like Winhance. Just keep in mind, third-party tweaks can be a bit risky, so use with caution.
- If apps still won’t pin, check they’re installed properly and aren’t flagged by your security software.
FAQs
How do I fix pinned apps that keep vanishing after a Windows update?
This is pretty common — updates sometimes reset some settings. Usually, a quick cache reset or re-registering start components (see Method 2) does the trick. Also, make sure the app itself is compatible with your current Windows version.
Why can’t I pin certain apps to the taskbar or start menu?
Some apps, especially those outside the Microsoft Store or portable versions, might block pinning. Permissions or app policies (like in work environments) could also stop you from pinning stuff.
Is there a way to pin folders or shortcuts directly to the home screen?
Yep, just right-click and pick Pin to Start. For more tweaks, explore Windows settings or use third-party tools for more customisation — like overlays or organising icons how you want.
Summary
- Pinning apps isn’t always straightforward thanks to bugs or updates.
- Resetting the start menu cache or re-registering system parts often sorts out stubborn pinning issues.
- Dragging from various locations or creating shortcuts manually can help bypass some glitches.
- Keep Windows up-to-date, and if you’re keen, third-party tools give you more flexibility.
Wrap-up
Getting apps to stay put in Windows 11 can feel like a game of whack-a-mole — but these tips have helped plenty of users fix pinning dramas. Don’t know exactly why it works, but a quick cache reset or re-register usually does the trick. Expect a bit of trial and error, but don’t throw in the towel. Windows can be a bit funny with its quirks, but with a bit of patience, your home screen can become your personalised docking station. Hope this helps someone sort out their start menu — because it’s a pain when things just won’t stick, right?