Thanks for the information. However, the remove option leaves me wanting a little more...
Let's say I go to the application folder on the disk for Google Chrome ("C:\Users\MyUserFolder\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\") and pin chrome.exe to my start menu.
To remove that pinned item, is there no way I can edit the item on the start menu? I have to go back to the Google Chrome folder in order to unpin it? What if I don't remember where the program folder is? I have to search for "chrome.exe" to find it, then pick through the list until I find the right file? This seems ridiculous.
Is there an easier way to remove the pin?
Thanks,
Wes
Start Menu - Pin to
- 22 Jul 2007 #1
Start Menu - Pin toHow to Pin a Program to the Start Menu in Vista
Published by
22 Jul 2007Start Menu - Pin to
How to Pin a Program to the Start Menu in Vista
InformationThis will show you how to add or remove a pinned program or program shortcut to the left white area of the Start menu to make it easier to open.
Note
- This does not work in the Classic Start Menu.
- It is best to Pin the actual source EXE for the program and not a shortcut to the program. It is easier for a shortcut to be moved or deleted, causing the pinned program shortcut in the Start menu to not work anymore.
TipTo see how to pin a folder or folder shortcut to the Start Menu, see: How to Pin a Folder to the Start Menu in Vista
EXAMPLE: Pin area of the Start Menu
NOTE: This is the left white side of the Start menu. To change the size of these icons to be large or small, see: How to Display Small or Large Icons in the Vista Start Menu
OPTION ONE
How to Pin a Program to the Start Menu
1. Right click on the program exe or program shortcut.
NOTE: If you delete or move this program exe or program shortcut, the pinned icon will no longer function properly.
2. Click on Pin to Start Menu. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Sometimes you may need to press and hold Shift key and then right click to see the Pin to Start Menu option.
OPTION TWO
How to Remove a Pinned Program
NOTE: If you cannot get Vista to remove the pinned program, then see step two here: How to Fix Recent Programs Not Being Remembered in Vista
1. Right click on the pinned program inside the Start Menu.That's it,
2. Depending on the pinned program, click on either Remove from this list or Unpin from Start Menu. (See screenshots below)
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Add or Delete a Shortcut or Folder From the Start Menu in Vista
- How to Customize the Start Menu in Vista
- How to Change the Start Menu to Classic View in Vista
- How to Turn the Recent Items List On or Off in Vista
- How to Customize the Context Menu for the Start Menu in Vista
- How to Pin a Folder to the Start Menu in Vista
- How to Display Small or Large Icons in the Vista Start Menu
- How to Enable or Disable the All Programs List in the Vista Start Menu
- How to Add or Remove Help from the Normal and Classic Vista Start Menu
- How to Restore the Start Menu Search Button after Installing the Vista SP1
- How to Enable or Disable Pin to Start Menu in Vista
- How to Reset the Pin To Start Menu Area in Vista
- How to Backup and Restore Pinned Start Menu Items in Vista
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Join Date: Apr 2007Location: Texas, USAPosts: 30,535ArrayTutorial Tools
Applies to
All Vista Versions 64 Bit & 32 Bit
- 30 Apr 2009 #1My System Specs
Re: Start Menu - Pin to
- 30 Apr 2009 #2
Administrator 
Join Date : Apr 2007 Texas, USA Posts : 30,535 64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise Local Time: 11:34 PM
My System SpecsRe: Start Menu - Pin to
Hello Wes, and welcome to Vista Forums.
I think you may have misunderstood. You can right click on the pinned item inside the Start Menu itself to see those options in OPTION TWO of the tutorial.
Hope this helps,
Shawn
- 30 Apr 2009 #3My System Specs
Re: Start Menu - Pin to
The start menu pin removal option only works if we don't follow the above recommendation, and that still requires navigating through the start menu to find the pinned item in question. Is there any way to edit the list directly?
Originally Posted by Brink 
I just think it would be silly if I cannot either:
1. Right-click on the pinned menu to remove an item, OR
2. Open up the pinned menu list in file explorer and organize it as I wish.
And you're right, the way you say to remove the pinned item does seem to be the way it is intended to work, so I don't mean any disrespect to your tutorial. I guess this is more of a complaint against the functionality of the Vista start menu
- 30 Apr 2009 #4
Administrator
Join Date : Apr 2007 Texas, USA Posts : 30,535 64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise Local Time: 11:34 PM
My System SpecsRe: Start Menu - Pin to
Resetting the Pin to area in the Start menu should help get rid of it for you.
Start Menu - Reset Pin To Area
- 30 Apr 2009 #5My System Specs
Re: Start Menu - Pin to
Aye, that's true, good to always have a way to start fresh Originally Posted by Brink Resetting the Pin to area in the Start menu should help get rid of it for you.
Start Menu - Reset Pin To Area
- 30 Apr 2009 #6
Administrator
Join Date : Apr 2007 Texas, USA Posts : 30,535 64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise Local Time: 11:34 PM
My System SpecsRe: Start Menu - Pin to
Yeah, sorry it's not exactly what your wanting, but at least it will get rid of that one.
- 24 Oct 2009 #7My System Specs
Re: Start Menu - Pin to
How is a Pin exist physically in the file system?
Is it asort of shortcut (a small file)?
- 24 Oct 2009 #8
Administrator
Join Date : Apr 2007 Texas, USA Posts : 30,535 64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise Local Time: 11:34 PM
My System SpecsRe: Start Menu - Pin to
Hello Ildar, and welcome to Vista Forums.
Yes, it's just like a shortcut. You can see where these pinned Start Menu items are stored at in the green information box at the top of the tutorial.
Hope this helps,
Shawn
- 24 Oct 2009 #9My System Specs
Re: Start Menu - Pin to
Thank you, it a little helps. I found that Pin files. Originally Posted by Brink
I am confused that the properties of shortcut is showing as shortcut (.lnk) but
properties of Pin showing as executable file (.exe) which could mean that "Pinning" will copy exe file to user' s Start menu folder. One of friend of mine said
I organized my Start Up menu very poorly by Pinning (which he think copying) exe files.
Is there a difference between a shortcut and a Pin?
Start Menu - Pin to problems?
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