[How To] Remove “Pin To Start” From Context Menu In Windows 8.1

Windows 8 or later by default provides you an option to pin a folder directly to Start Screen. This is bit handy if you have large database and want to access y

Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin
2 min read
Add as a preferred
source on Google

Windows 8 or later by default provides you an option to pin a folder directly to Start Screen. This is bit handy if you have large database and want to access your favorite folders instantly.

Here it the option shown in screenshot:

But sometimes the option for Pin to Start may not be useful for you and in such case you’d like to remove it. So in this article, we’re going to share you the way to erase this option.

It’s basically a registry method, so lets start:

How To : Remove “Pin To Start” From Context Menu

1. Press Windows Key + R and put regedit in Run dialog box to open Registry Editor (if you’re not familiar with Registry Editor, then click here). Click OK.

2. Navigate here:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell

3. In the left pane, look out for key pintostartscreen and make a back up of this key by right click and then select Export and save it to desired location.

4. Now delete the same key viz. pintostartscreen. Exit Registry Editor.

5. So we’re done now. You can check it by right click on any folder in File Explorer.

Hence you’ve successfully removed the Pin to Start option. In the future, if you want to restore it, just open the back up file with Registry Editor.

That’s it!

Share this article
https://www.kapilarya.com/remove-pin-to-start-from-context-menu

Shareable URL

Article by

Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin

Kapil holds Microsoft MVP title in Windows IT Pro expertise, 11-times in a row (2014-2025). He is 8-times Windows Insider MVP as well, and author of 'Windows Group Policy Troubleshooting' book. In 2015, Microsoft India accomplished him as 'Windows 10 Champion'. Being passionate Windows blogger, he loves to help others on fixing their system issues. Kapil has worked with official Microsoft Community Engagement Team (CET) on several community projects. You can subscribe him for news/updates and fixes for Windows.

11 Comments
Sam

Nice tip Sir!

Packard Helion

Hi thanks for the nice article…

Can it doesn’t have any adverse effect on explorer process?

noue

Thanks for smart trick :)

Leomate

Nice find mate Kapil, Cheers!

Kapil Arya Author

^^ Thanks guys :D

@ Packard Helion, Use backup in such cases :)

Brajesh Pandey

Hello KAPILARYA.COM,

This was fine one, can you tell me how can I remove the Open in new window option in same context menu?

NEO

How did yuo got these locations, I mean why I cant find these things..lol

vishal

@NEO, bcoz Kapil sparks n u don’t! :P

mmg1818

thanks for info Kapil, and for win 8.1

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTFoldershellexContextMenuHandlersPintoStartScreen]

Kapil Arya Author

^^ Ditto :)

NJ

I can confirm that (1) in Windows 8.1 the key to delete is indeed (as mmg1818 said) HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTFoldershellexContextMenuHandlersPintoStartScreen; (2) it works.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *