Missing File Explorer icon on the taskbar? You can add it manually. Here are the steps to pin the File Explorer icon to the taskbar in Windows 11 and 10.
If there is one application that every Windows user uses, it is File Explorer. As most of you already know, File Explorer is the built-in file management tool in Windows. Whenever you want to access, create, modify, or delete a file or folder, you have to use File Explorer.
Being such a powerful and helpful application, Windows provides multiple ways to open File Explorer. In fact, File Explorer is pinned to the taskbar by default. However, if you unpinned it by accident or the File Explorer is missing from the taskbar, you can manually re-pin it. In fact, doing so is quite straightforward.
So, without further ado, let me show you how to pin File Explorer to the taskbar in Windows.
The steps below work the same in Windows 10 and 11.
Table of contents:
Steps to Pin File Explorer to Taskbar
There are several ways to add the File Explorer icon on the taskbar. I’ll show you two reliable methods for pinning the File Explorer icon to the taskbar. Choose the one you like and follow.
1. How to pin File Explorer from the taskbar
Here is what you should do to pin the File Explorer icon directly to the taskbar.
- Open the File Explorer.
- Right-click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar.
- Select “Pin to Taskbar.”
- With that, the File Explorer icon is pinned to the taskbar.
- Close the File Explorer window.
Steps with more details:
First, launch File Explorer. You can do it with the “Win + E” keyboard shortcut. The File Explorer icon will appear on the taskbar after you launch it.
Right-click the File Explorer icon in the taskbar and select “Pin to taskbar.”
As soon as you do this, the File Explorer icon is pinned to the taskbar. The File Explorer window can be closed. Because the icon is pinned, the File Explorer icon remains on the taskbar.
You can modify the position of the icon on the taskbar by dragging it.
2. How to pin File Explorer from the Start menu
You can pin any application to the taskbar from the Start menu. File Explorer is no exception. Here’s how to go about it.
- Press the “Start” key.
- Search for “File Explorer.”
- Right-click the “File Explorer” result.
- Choose the “Pin to taskbar” option.
- With that, the File Explorer is pinned to the taskbar.
Steps with more details:
To open the Start menu, press the “Start” key on your keyboard or click the “Start” icon in the taskbar. After you’ve opened it, search for “File Explorer.”
Now, right-click the “File Explorer” result and select “Pin to taskbar.”
The File Explorer icon is pinned to the taskbar as soon as you do this.
You can change the position of the icon on the taskbar by dragging it.
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That is all. It is that simple to pin the File Explorer icon to the taskbar.
I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need some help, send an email, and I will try to help as much as possible.
