FIX: Cannot Pin Apps to Start Menu in Windows 11/10

While using the Windows OS, the Start menu is like our go-to place to access apps and services at our fingertips. Isn’t it? Wouldn’t it be quite disheartening if you’re unable to pin your favorite apps to the Start menu for quick access? Well, yes definitely.

Pin to Start menu not working? If you can’t pin apps to the start menu, there might be some underlying issue or a misconfigured system file setting that is hindering you to do the same.

Image source: Microsoft Support

Here are a few resolutions that you can use to bypass this technical glitch on Windows 11 and 10.

Also read: Customize Windows 10 Start Menu For Improved Experience

How To Fix Cannot Pin Apps to Start Menu In Windows PC

Solution #1: Use the Local Group Policy Editor

By making some quick changes in the local group policy editor on Windows, you can easily get past the issue. Here’s what you need to do.

Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog box, type “gpedit.msc” and hit Enter.

In the Group Policy Editor window, navigate to the following folder location:

User Configuration> Administrative Templates> Start menu and Taskbar.

Now, on the right side of the window, look for the “Prevent users from customizing the Start screen” service. Double-tap on it to open Properties.

Select “Non configured”.

Hit on the OK and Apply buttons to save the recent changes.

Exit all windows, reboot your device, and then try pinning the apps to the Start menu to check whether the issue persists.

Also read: How To Fix Start Menu Search Not Working On Windows 10

Solution #2: Use Windows PowerShell

We’re all aware of Windows Command Prompt Terminal, right? So, PowerShell is an advanced version of Command Prompt. We will now be executing a few commands on Windows PowerShell to fix the “Cannot pin apps to Start menu” issue. Here you go!

Tap the Windows icon placed on the Taskbar, type “Power Shell” in the search bar, right-click on it and select “Run as Administrator”.

Copy and paste the following command in the Terminal window, and then hit Enter to execute it.

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Wait for a few minutes until the command is successfully executed.

Exit PowerShell and then reboot your device once you’re done.

Also read: How To Create Shortcuts For Apps In Windows 10 Start Menu

Solution #3: Run the SFC Command

SFC (System File Checker) is an in-built Windows utility tool that scans and fixes corrupt system files and replaces them with a cached copy. If any of the system files or DLL files stored on your device have become corrupt due to any reason, you may encounter the “Can’t pin apps to Start menu” issue. By running the SFC command on the Command Line Terminal, you can easily bypass the issue.

Launch Command Prompt in admin mode.

Type the following command and hit Enter to execute it:

sfc/scannow

Wait for a few moments until Windows thoroughly scans your entire device to fix corrupt system files. Once the scan is completed, reboot your device.

Also read: How To Rearrange Windows 10 Start Menu

Solution #4 Restart Windows Explorer

Another workaround to fix the “Cannot pin apps to start menu” issue is by restarting the Windows Explorer app using the Task Manager. Here’s what you need to do.

Press the Control + Shift + Escape key combination to open Windows Task Manager.

Switch to the “Processes” tab. Look for the Windows Explorer app, right-click on it and select the “End Task” option.

Restart your device.

Solution #5 Lock the Start Menu Layout

We will now be making some changes in the Start menu layout to check whether it helps in fixing the issue. Follow these quick steps:

Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog box. Type “Regedit” and hit Enter.

In the Registry Editor window, navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE> SoftwarePolicies> Microsoft>Windows

On the right side of the window, look for a file named “Locked Start Layout”. Double-tap on it.

Change the value from 0 to 1. Tap on OK.

Exit all windows, reboot your device after making the above-listed changes. Try pinning the apps to the Start menu to check whether you’re still experiencing any issues.

Here are a few resolutions that you can use for fixing the “Cannot pin apps to Start menu” issue. We hope our post helped you in fixing the glitch. For any other queries or assistance, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.