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Windows Explorer will not pin to the taskbar.

Anonymous
2012-10-05T18:54:24+00:00

original title: Windows Explorer will not pin to the taskbar.  I've tried all these solutions...

Windows Explorer will not pin to the taskbar (or start menu either).  The only right-click option is "Close Window".  Dragging a folder to the taskbar only shows a red circle with a line through it.  Other programs pin just fine.

I have been searching all day and tried these solutions so far:

  • Registry search for "NoPinningToTaskbar" and "NoPinningToDestination" show no results.
  • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile IsShortcut registry entry exists
  • "Store and display recently opened programs in the Start menu" option is checked
  • %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations and

%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\CustomDestinations folders have been cleared

  • Replaced explorer.exe with one from a working Win7 PC
  • This is a new install, so there is no system restore point to use
  • Both explorer.exe and Programs/Accessories/Windows Explorer are missing the "Pin to Taskbar" option.
  • This update http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2607576 was already installed
  • I am not using CCleaner

What else is there to try?  Has anoyone found a real solution to this problem?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-10-05T20:00:13+00:00

    Paste this into the start menu search box,

    %windir%\explorer.exe

    You should then be able to either right click and select Open file location or point at send to and click on (desktop) create shortcut,

    And drag the desktop shortcut to your taskbar.

    You need to create a shortcut before pin to taskbar is available.

    If you made changes to your machine system restore to an earlier time might cure the issue faster.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2017-10-08T20:32:38+00:00

    I had the same problem. Explorer disappeared, when I went to pin it back to the taskbar it said it was already pinned.

    Here's what worked for me, very simple. If explorer is already pinned, then the taskbar needs to be refreshed. Open the task manager, find explorer on the list of running apps, right-click and select restart on W10. On W7 just close explorer from the task manager and it'll restart and the Icon reappears.

    I don't know about the Jump Lists but I'd imagine they'd be intact as it was just an issue with it not being visible, not some kind of corruption.

    Easy fix. Takes all of about 45 seconds. It's similar to hitting F5 to refresh a folder.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2012-10-05T20:12:32+00:00

    Hadn't thought of that one yet.  Unfortunately, it still doesn't work.  I get the same red circle with a line through it ("No" symbol - there has to be a real name for it).

    Right-clicking the shortcut doesn't give me any pinning options, start menu nor taskbar.

    This is a new install, so there is no system restore point to use.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-10-05T19:36:05+00:00

    Yes, it's "the yellow folder".  I know it's limited to the libraries page, but it also has a jump menu where I can pin other folders.  I'm constantly in and out of folders, not having a shortcut to Windows Explorer is killing me!

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  5. Anonymous
    2012-10-05T19:20:28+00:00

    Just to clear up a point,

    Pressing the windows logo key and typing your search is using windows explorer,

    Pinning windows explorer to the taskbar,

    Are you referring to the yellow folder which really only opens the win-7 libraries page ?

    Windows explorer is a vague term there are many listings on the start menu which can be referred to as windows explorer,

    One would be the search box at the bottom of the start menu,

    Right click the start button and select properties,

    Customize button,

    Most all of these listings are considered windows explorer, to me anyway ?

    Then you have the Bing desktop search feature which is another story all together ;)

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