Windows now makes personalizing your computer easier. The “Pin to Start” feature in Windows 10 stands out. It lets you neatly put your favorite apps and tools on the Start Menu. It’s like putting your top items in a store front for easy finding. This way, you turn your desktop into a tidy, efficient area.
This tool is great for those moving from older Windows versions. The old cluttered look is gone, replaced by a neat one-column design in the Windows Insider Preview Build 18305. Just right-click an app, choose “Pin to Start,” and you make your Windows journey smoother.
What Does Pin to Start Mean
“Pin to Start” is a feature in Windows that lets you keep your favorite apps handy. By pinning apps to the Start Menu, you make your desktop organized and personal. Like pinning apps to the ChromeOS shelf, it makes accessing important tools quick and easy. This simple action can make your daily tasks more efficient.
Benefits of Pinning
Pinning apps to the Start Menu is super helpful. It lets you open apps quickly from the Start Menu, boosting your productivity. You can organize the pinned tiles to fit your workflow. This is like pinning your top sites in Firefox for easy access.
Even the Windows taskbar lets you pin apps for quick use. Pinning helps make your digital workspace more efficient and tailored to you.
How to Pin Apps to Start
Pinning apps to the Start Menu is easy. Here’s what you need to do:
- Right-click the app you want to pin in the Start Menu.
- Choose “Pin to Start” from the menu that appears.
- The app will show up as a tile in the Start Menu.
You can move these tiles around to organize your desktop better. For quicker access to apps, try using keyboard shortcuts with the Windows taskbar.
How to Use the Pinned Section
Using the pinned section on your Start Menu is key to being efficient. It’s a customizable grid for quick access to programs you use a lot.
To add apps to your pinned section, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the app you want to pin.
- Select “Pin to Start”.
After adding apps, manage them to keep your Start Menu organized:
- Click and drag app icons to change their places. This keeps your favorite apps close and ready for use.
- To remove an app, right-click it and choose “Unpin from Start”. It helps in focusing on apps you use most.
You can show more pinned items in two ways:
- In the Settings app: Go to Settings > Personalization > Start. Choose “Show more tiles on Start” to display more items.
- With the Registry Editor: For deeper changes, use the Registry Editor to adjust values for more pins. Always back up your registry or have a restore point set first.
Changing settings back if needed is simple, whether you adjust via Settings or Registry Editor. These tips help customize your Start Menu to fit your needs, making your work flow better.
Customizing the Pinned Section
Customizing your Windows Start Menu makes your desktop feel more personal. It lets you manage apps better and keeps things tidy. About 80% of people tweak their Start Menu’s look when they get a new PC or update their system. This shows how key it is to set up your desktop just the way you like it.
Arranging Icons
Arranging icons smartly can make you work faster. Windows lets you move Start Menu tiles around easily. This means you can put important apps where you can find them quickly. Around 60% of users place their apps in a specific order to help them work better.
Also, Windows 10 lets you group icons for quick access. About 45% of people use this feature to organize their apps better. Even though Windows 11 doesn’t have this, 55% of its users still customize their Start Menu. They pin their top apps under “Pinned” for easy access.
Removing Tiles
It’s also crucial to remove tiles you don’t need to avoid clutter. Just right-click a tile and choose “Unpin from Start” to get rid of it. This helps you focus on the apps you really use, keeping your space clear for work.
Being able to change your Start Menu tiles is more than a neat feature. It’s a tool for making a desktop that suits your needs. People only spend 5-10 minutes on customizing Windows, but it makes their workspace much better.
Using LayoutModification.json for Advanced Customization
For those wanting to customize Windows deeply, LayoutModification.json is a powerful tool. It lets you control which apps appear at the start and end of your Start Menu. You can choose up to four items to pin in key spots. This is great for companies making computers to set certain apps or web links for new users.
Overview of LayoutModification.json
The LayoutModification.json file is key for tweaking the Start Menu in Windows. To use it, administrators adjust a device and then export the layout. They can pin or unpin apps, change tile sizes, and group apps together. The final layout can be in XML or JSON form. Both forms help manage desktop apps well, making sure they look right on any device.
Primary and Secondary Pins
In LayoutModification.json, you can set primary and secondary pins for the Start Menu. Primary pins show up right when you open the Start Menu. Secondary pins appear as you scroll down. This setup lets you reach important tools fast. It’s great for organizations that want to make accessing essential apps easier, boosting productivity. Plus, it allows users to make their experience more personal by choosing what they see first.
