How To Add Apps and More to the Taskbar in Windows 11

Lee Stanton October 1, 2022

Adding your frequently used apps to the taskbar gives you one-double-click access and saves precious time. Not only does Windows 11 allow you to pin your favorite apps to the taskbar, but you can also add folders, drives, files, and even websites.

How To Add Apps and More to the Taskbar in Windows 11

Read on to learn how to add apps and other frequently used items to your taskbar.

Adding Apps to the Windows 11 Taskbar

The taskbar has the “Start” menu, “Chat,” “Widgets,” “File Explorer,” “Task View,” “Microsoft Edge,” and the “Microsoft Store” pinned to it by default, but you can pin more. Follow these steps to pin an app you have open onto your taskbar:

To pin an app to the taskbar, right-click on the “currently active app” you wish to add. Of course, it will appear in the taskbar while open.
Select “Pin to taskbar.” The app will stay in the taskbar whether it gets opened or not.
To pin an app from the “Start” menu, click on the “Start Menu icon.”
Right-click the “selected app,” then choose “Pin to taskbar.”
To pin an app not found in the “Start Menu,” click on the “All Apps” option.
Right-click on the “selected app” you wish to add.
Click on “More” then select “Pin to taskbar.”

How to Add a Folder to the Windows 11 Taskbar

Besides pinning apps to the taskbar in windows 11, you can also pin a folder. Here are the steps:

Right-click on the “selected folder” you wish to add to the taskbar.
Choose “Show more options,” then choose “Send to” followed by “Desktop (create shortcut).”
Right-click the “folder shortcut” on your desktop and choose “Properties.”
Under the “Shortcut” option, add the following target: explorer [disk or partition]:\[folder name]\[folder name 2]. For example, “explorer C:\Users\StevePC\Pictures\Screenshots.”
Click on the “Apply” button when finished with the target address.
Select the “Change icon” button.
In the “Look for icons in this file:” field, type “imageres.dll“ then press “Enter.”
Choose the “folder icon” you’d like to use from the list.
Click “OK” then “OK” again from the folder properties.
The folder’s shortcut icon now displays the one you chose. Right-click it, select “Show more options,” then choose “Pin to taskbar.”
Your folder now appears on your taskbar.

How to Add a File to the Taskbar in Windows 11

You also have the option to add files that you frequently use to your Windows 11 taskbar.

Right-click on the “selected file” that you want to add to your taskbar.
Select “Show more options,” then choose “Send to” followed by “Desktop (create shortcut).”
Right-click on the “file shortcut” on the desktop, then choose “Properties.”
In the “Target” path within the “Shortcut” tab, type the following and adjust the text in brackets to your file’s address: explorer [disk]:\[folder name]\[folder name 2 if needed]\[file's name].
Click on “Apply” to save the changes—do not click the “OK” button.
Next, click on the “Change icon” button at the bottom.
In the “Look for icons in this file:” text field, type “imageres.dll” then press “Enter.”
Choose the folder icon you prefer from the list.
Click “OK” then “OK” again.
Your file’s shortcut icon now appears on the Desktop. Right-click on it, select “Show more options,” then choose “Pin to taskbar.”
Your file is now pinned to your taskbar.

How to Add a Drive to the Taskbar in Windows 11

Adding a drive/partition to your taskbar is helpful for quick access. Follow these steps to pin a drive to your Windows 11 taskbar:

Open “File Explorer,” then select “This PC.”
Right-click on the drive you want to add and select “Show more options,” then choose “Create shortcut.”
Select “Yes” in the prompt asking to create the shortcut on the desktop.
Right-click on the drive’s shortcut, then choose “Properties.”
In the “Target” section found in the “Shortcut” tab, type the following while changing the text in brackets: explorer [disk]:\. For example, type “explorer D:\” in the field.
Select “Apply” then click on “Change Icon.”
Type “imageres.dll“ in the “Look for icons in this file:” text field, then press “Enter.”
Choose the “drive icon” you like, then click “OK” followed by “OK” again.
The drive’s shortcut icon now displays as the one you chose. Right-click it and select “Show more options,” then “Pin to taskbar.”
Your drive is now pinned to the taskbar.

How to Add a Website to the Taskbar in Windows 11

Besides pinning apps, files, and folders, you can also add some of your favorite websites to your Windows 11 taskbar.

Add a Website using Microsoft Edge

Launch the “Microsoft Edge” browser.
Navigate to the “website” you want to add to the taskbar.
At the top right, click on the “horizontal ellipsis” (three-dotted menu icon).
Click on “Settings and more.”
Go to “More tools,” then “Pin to taskbar.”

Add a Website using Chrome

To add a website or web page from Chrome to your Windows 11 taskbar, use the following steps:

Navigate to the “chosen website,” such as Gmail, Minecraft Forums, or Amazon.
For sites that separate usernames and passwords on two pages, like Google websites, type in your “email or username” on the sign-in page, then click on “Next.” Don’t type the password on the next screen. For any other site, skip this step.
Click on the “vertical ellipsis” (three-dotted menu icon) in the top right section. Don’t forget to not type your password on any site that opens a separate password page.
Click on “More tools,” then select “Create shortcut.”
Name your new shortcut. Think of a good name for easier identification. Using the Gmail example, you could call it “Gmail [your name],” then click “Create.”
The shortcut now displays on your desktop. Right-click it, select “Show more options,” then “Pin to taskbar.”
Now, the icon appears in your taskbar.

The ability to launch your most-used apps, files, websites, and folders with a single double-click can be a time-saver. When you create a desktop shortcut to the item, you can pin it to the taskbar. The Windows 11 Taskbar makes it easy to access your most commonly used items. That’s the bottom line. Od course, items can be unpinned at any time if you need more space, accidentally added the wrong item, or just want to clean up your system’s appearance.