Alright, let's dive into removing those pesky pinned items on your Windows 11 Start Menu and Taskbar! Have you ever felt like your Start Menu or Taskbar was getting a little cluttered with things you rarely use? Well, you're in the right place to declutter and personalize your Windows 11 experience. Follow along, and we'll get those pins out of the way!
Decluttering Your Start Menu: Saying Goodbye to Pinned Tiles
Windows 11's Start Menu offers a convenient way to access your favorite applications quickly through pinned tiles. However, over time, these pinned items might become less relevant, and you might want to clean things up. Here's how you can remove them:
Step 1: Open the Windows 11 Start Menu
This is the most basic step, but essential to get started!
- Simply click on the Windows icon located on the far left of your Taskbar. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key on your keyboard. This will bring up the Start Menu, showcasing your pinned apps and recommended items.
Step 2: Unpinning Individual Apps
Got a specific tile that's been gathering digital dust? Here's how to remove it:
- Locate the pinned app you wish to remove within the "Pinned" section of the Start Menu. These are usually displayed as icons or tiles.
- Right-click on the icon or tile of the app you want to unpin. A context menu will appear with several options.
- From the context menu, select the "Unpin from Start" option. Click on it, and poof! The tile will disappear from your pinned apps section.
Step 3: Unpinning Multiple Apps for a Clean Sweep
Want to do a more significant cleanup? You can unpin multiple apps quickly:
- Just like in Step 2, right-click on each app tile you want to remove.
- Select "Unpin from Start" for each one. You can do this consecutively for several apps to streamline the process. This is a great way to quickly clear out a bunch of unwanted pins.
Step 4: Verifying the Removal
After unpinning, take a quick look to ensure the tiles are gone.
- Close the Start Menu and then open it again by clicking the Windows icon.
- Check the "Pinned" section. The apps you unpinned should no longer be visible there.
Tidying Up Your Taskbar: Removing Pinned Icons
The Taskbar, that strip at the bottom of your screen, also allows you to pin frequently used applications for quick access. If your Taskbar is looking a bit crowded, here's how to remove pinned icons:
Step 1: Identifying the Pinned Icon
First, you need to spot the icon you want to remove.
- Look at your Taskbar at the bottom of your screen. Pinned applications are usually displayed as icons.
Step 2: The Unpinning Action
Removing an icon from the Taskbar is just as straightforward as unpinning from the Start Menu:
- Right-click on the icon of the application you want to remove from the Taskbar. A context menu will pop up.
- In the context menu, find and click on the "Unpin from taskbar" option. Once you click it, the icon will vanish from your Taskbar.
Step 3: Confirming the Icon is Gone
A quick check ensures you've successfully removed the icon.
- Simply glance at your Taskbar. The icon you just unpinned should no longer be there.
Customizing Further: Pinning New Items
Now that you know how to remove pins, you might want to add new ones!
Pinning Apps to the Start Menu
- Open the Start Menu.
- Browse through your "All apps" list (usually accessible by clicking an "All apps" button or scrolling).
- Right-click on the app you want to pin.
- Select "Pin to Start". The app will now appear in your "Pinned" section.
Pinning Apps to the Taskbar
- Find the application you want to pin. You can do this through the Start Menu, by searching for it, or if it's currently running.
- Right-click on the app's icon (either in the Start Menu, search results, or on the Taskbar if it's open).
- Select "Pin to taskbar". The app's icon will now appear on your Taskbar for easy access.
Frequently Asked Questions: How To...
Here are some common questions about managing pinned items in Windows 11:
How to unpin all apps from the Start Menu quickly?
Unfortunately, Windows 11 doesn't offer a single "unpin all" button for the Start Menu. You'll need to unpin each tile individually by right-clicking and selecting "Unpin from Start."
How to unpin all icons from the Taskbar at once?
Similar to the Start Menu, there isn't a direct "unpin all" option for the Taskbar within the user interface. You'll need to right-click and "Unpin from taskbar" for each icon.
How to tell if an app is pinned to the Start Menu?
When you open the Start Menu, the top section labeled "Pinned" will display all the applications you have currently pinned. They appear as larger tiles or icons.
How to tell if an app is pinned to the Taskbar?
Pinned applications on the Taskbar are easily identifiable as their icons remain visible on the Taskbar even when the application is closed. They appear as static icons.
How to rearrange pinned apps on the Start Menu?
To rearrange pinned apps on the Start Menu, simply click and drag the tiles to your desired position within the "Pinned" section.
How to rearrange pinned icons on the Taskbar?
Similarly, you can rearrange pinned icons on the Taskbar by clicking and dragging them to your preferred order.
How to pin a website to the Taskbar?
While you can't directly pin a website like an application, you can create a shortcut to a website and then pin that shortcut to the Taskbar. Open your browser, navigate to the website, then usually under the browser's menu (e.g., three dots in Chrome), you'll find an option like "Create shortcut" or "More tools" -> "Create shortcut." Once created, you can right-click this shortcut and select "Pin to taskbar."
How to pin a file or folder to the Start Menu?
You can pin files or folders to the Start Menu for quick access. Right-click on the file or folder in File Explorer and select "Pin to Start." They will appear as a tile in your pinned section.
How to remove recommended items from the Start Menu?
To remove individual recommended items, right-click on the item in the "Recommended" section and select "Remove from list." To manage what appears in the "Recommended" section more broadly, you can go to Settings > Personalization > Start and adjust the options there.
How to stop apps from automatically pinning themselves after installation?
Windows might sometimes automatically pin newly installed apps. To manage this, go to Settings > Personalization > Start and look for options related to showing recently added apps. You might be able to disable this behavior.
There you have it! A comprehensive guide on how to remove pinned items in Windows 11, along with some extra tips and answers to frequently asked questions. Now go ahead and personalize your Start Menu and Taskbar to your liking! Let me know if you have any more questions!