Did you know you can pin folders like File Explorer, Downloads, Pictures, Network, etc., to your Start menu? Yes, just like you can pin your favorite apps to the Start menu, you can pin and show your favorite library folders. Once pinned, these folders appear in the bottom bar of the Start menu, right next to your name. This makes your favorite library folder easy to access. For example, I frequently open my Downloads folder. Instead of opening File Explorer and navigating to it, I simply pinned it to the Start menu, allowing me to access it in just two clicks.
The good thing is, in addition to the library folder, you can also pin the Settings icon to the Start menu. This means that when you want to open the Settings app, all you need to do is click the pinned Settings icon in the Start menu.
Like me, if you too want to have quick access to your library folder, this tutorial is for you. In this tutorial, I will show you how to pin and show your favorite library folder to the Start menu in Windows 11.
Show Library Folders in the Start Menu on Windows 11
- Right-click on the Start button on the taskbar.
- Select the “Settings” option.
- Go to the “Personalization” tab.
- Click the “Start” option.
- Click the “Folders” option.
- Turn ON toggles next to the library folders you want to show/pin.
- (Optional) Turn ON the Settings toggle to show/pin the Settings icon.
- With that, the library folders will now appear in the Windows 11 Start menu.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
The Windows 11 Start menu can be customized from the Settings app. So, press the “Windows key + I” shortcut or right-click the Start button on the taskbar and select the “Settings” option. This will open the Settings app.
After opening the Settings app, go to the “Personalization” > “Start” page. This is the page where you can customization how the Start menu looks and functions.
Next, click on the “Folders” option on the right page.
On this page, turn ON the toggles of all the folders you want to appear in the Start menu. I am enabling the “Downloads” and “Personal Folder” options. If needed, you can select all the folders.
(Optionally) If you want to pin the Settings icon, turn ON the Settings toggle.
That is it. With that, the Settings icon and library folders will appear at the bottom of the Start menu, right next to your name. Each library folder has its own unique icon to help recognize them easily. Clicking the icon will open the relevant folder in File Explorer.
Hide Library Folders in the Start Menu on Windows 11
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to “Personalization” > “Start” page in the Settings app.
- Click the “Folders” option.
- Turn OFF toggles next to the library folders you want to hide.
- To remove all folders, turn OFF all folder toggles.
- With that, the library folders are removed from the Windows 11 Start menu.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
Open the Settings app by pressing the “Windows key + I” shortcut. Next, go to the “Personalization” tab on the sidebar and click the “Start” option on the right panel.
Click the “Folders” option. Here, turn OFF the toggles next to the library folders you want to hide. If you want to hide all the folders, simply turn OFF all the toggles.
As soon as you do that, the library folders are hidden in the Start menu. i.e., you will no longer see the folder icons at the bottom of the Start menu.
Can I Pin Custom Folders to the Start menu?
Yes, along with the library folders, you can also pin any other folder to the Start menu. However, the process is a bit different and it appears under the Pinned section under the search bar of your Start menu. I’ve already written a detailed tutorial on how to do that. Just follow the link and you’ll learn how to do it.
If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to help. Also, did you know that you can change the Start menu layout to show more pinned apps?
