One of the first things I do when I set up a new computer, or rebuild my computer, is customise! One of the ways that I achieve this is by sticking, or “pinning” the applications I use the most to the start menu. I generally like to keep a clean desktop area and have found that using the start menu to customise the way I access applications means that my desktop stays clean and it’s easy to access if I have 10 other applications running or just 1. By pinning applications in this way you remove the need to search for the programs you use the most within the start menu. I also find it a little annoying when my start menu changes constantly due to how often I access each program.

The Windows 10 Start menu provides you with the flexibility to create your own customised menu. You can create your own groups of icons which allows you to position program icons in relevant areas or “groups”. The start menu is broken into three areas. On the far left, you will find smaller icons which provide quick access to your account, File Explorer, Settings, and Power options. In the middle is the alphabetical list of programs and apps available on your computer. On the right, you will see any pinned programs or applications.

To pin an application to the start menu:

  1. Click on the Start menu button which is located in the bottom left corner of the screen
  2. Scroll through the alphabetical list till you find a program you wish to have quicker access to, e.g Excel 2016
  1. Right mouse click on the application and choose Pin to Start
  2. Click back on the Start button and you will now see the application displayed on the right side of the start menu
  3. Repeat the process to pin further applications to the start menu

Group applications on the Start Menu

Once you have pinned the applications to your Start Menu, you may wish to move them around to put them into a more suited order.

  1. Click the Start button and using the mouse, click and drag each application icon to the location of your choice
  2. If an application appears separated from other applications, hover just above the icon till you see the Name group prompt appear
  1. Click once so the Name group prompt is highlighted
  2. Type a relevant name for your new group e.g. Microsoft Office 2016
  3. I have my Start Menu grouped so that it is easy for me to find the programs or utilities I need

I hope you have found this post useful. By customising your Start menu you can save yourself valuable time each day so it is worth the 5-10 minutes these customisations may take.


Reference: https://www.thetraininglady.com/pin-application-start-menu/