I recently upgraded to Windows 11 and I’m struggling to put my favorite apps on the home screen. It’s different from the version I was used to, and I can’t figure it out. Can anyone explain how to do this or provide a simple guide?
Alright, buckle up because Windows 11 decided to make things ‘fancier’ and, of course, more confusing. Adding apps to your home screen? Here’s the deal:
- Open the Start Menu (you know, that window thingy on the taskbar).
- Scroll through the list of apps or, if you’re impatient like me, just type the app’s name in the search bar.
- Found it? Perfect. Right-click on the app, and you’ll see an option to ‘Pin to Start.’ Do that.
- Go back to the Start Menu. Those pinned apps appear in the top section there now. (Not exactly ‘home screen’ like the old days, but close enough, I guess.)
- Still not satisfied? Drag the pinned app to your taskbar directly from the Start Menu for quicker access. Super helpful if you’re too lazy to even open the Start Menu.
Also, pro(ish) tip: If you’re trying to make things look exactly like earlier versions of Windows, ha, good luck with that. Microsoft really excels at making change for, uh, reasons? Anyway, that’s how you do it.
I mean, sure, the ‘Pin to Start’ thing works (as our friend @caminantenocturno outlined), but let’s get real: Windows 11’s not super intuitive when it comes to giving you the setup you want. Let me give you another approach if you’re frustrated with their ‘modern’ logic.
First, if by ‘home screen’ you mean the desktop (which many of us do), forget ‘Pin to Start’ entirely. Instead:
- Hit the Start Menu and find your app using the search bar or by rummaging through that tedious list of app tiles.
- Once you’ve located your app, right-click it and select Open File Location (if this isn’t an option, it’s probably a Microsoft Store app. Grr, gotta do an extra step there – more below).
- When it opens the file location (a.k.a., a shortcut to where the app lives in your system), just drag that sucker to your desktop or copy-paste it. Easy-peasy.
Now, if it IS one of those Microsoft Store apps (because nothing can be simple, amirite?), right-click it in the Start Menu and select ‘Pin to Taskbar.’ Then, drag it from the Taskbar onto your desktop. BOOM – shortcut created. From there, you can rename or move it wherever.
Oh, and if you want the Windows 10-ish feel back – hah, well, you’re stuck. Welcome to the dystopian, ultra-clever design of Windows 11, where your preferences barely matter. But at least with these steps, you can get your apps on your desktop or your taskbar… close enough to a ‘home screen.’ Microsoft just loves complicating things ‘for progress,’ right?
Alright, so here’s another angle to tackle this “how-to-add-apps-in-Windows-11” riddle. While both @byteguru and @caminantenocturno laid out some solid methods (dragging from Start Menu or file location are classics), I’m gonna throw in a slightly tweaked spin that might give you better control—especially if you’re someone who loves that clutter-free “aesthetic” desktop vibe. Let’s break it down in a no-nonsense fashion:
Alternative Method: Right from the Context Menu
For a simpler and arguably cleaner solution:
- Locate the app you want (yes, back to the Start Menu, because apparently, everything starts and ends there now).
- Instead of using “Pin” options right away, look for More Options when you right-click. There’s usually an Open Location or Create Shortcut lurking around.
- Shortcut: If it’s a full app (not baked into the Store), this creates a clickable icon on the desktop directly.
- Store Apps Conundrum: For apps like Netflix or Spotify, your mileage may vary since Microsoft Store apps are notoriously inconsistent—might require you sticking with taskbar shortcuts like @byteguru explained already.
Why Would You Even? (The Good & Bad)
Pros:
- Keeps your desktop personalized without crowding the taskbar or being forced into the new layout’s Start Menu purgatory.
- Works online/offline consistently if the app doesn’t auto-update (looking at you, games).
Cons:
- Store apps can be stubborn (you’ll feel @caminantenocturno’s pain here).
- Having app shortcuts everywhere could mess with maintaining a clean desktop.
Quick Note:
Have you tried groups on the Start Screen? Windows 11 lets you bundle pinned apps into separate “sections” on the new grid-style Start Menu. It isn’t super intuitive, but if you drag one app over another, it might work like folders on a smartphone—useful if you’re managing many apps.
My Two Cents on Competitors’ Suggestions:
@byteguru’s dragging method for Store apps to desktop kinda works if you finesse the taskbar hacks. Meanwhile, @caminantenocturno’s straightforward “Pin” steps cover the newer navigation without completely addressing people still holding on to the Windows 7/10 experience (Microsoft made sure nostalgia isn’t catered to).
Ultimately, try experimenting with whichever route matches your preferences. And yeah, welcome to the era of Microsoft’s overly “helpful” UI decisions. It only gets, uh, better.