Windows 10: Can't pin programs to Start menu anymore?

Win 10 64bit Build 10162

Not sure if I've done this in the course of hacking the registry but I can no longer pin anything to Start Menu by right clicking on an .exe in the File Explorer and choosing 'Pin to Start' from the context menu. I don't get an error message but nothing happens.

Also, when I install a program it will create a folder in the Start Menu, as normal, but any shortcuts to an .exe are not shown, only links to the manual, notes, etc. However, the shortcuts to the .exe are actually being created in C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs or C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

Any ideas?


Edit:

Turned on 'Most used' and can pin programs that appear on the list. However, not all programs used are appearing on list. It seems like only programs that were installed before this behaviour started are showing up.

:)

 

Recent file list for programs pinned to start gone in Win 10 AU

No, just the update. The programs that I had pinned to start are still pinned, I just can't get to the recent files menu attached to each anymore.

Thank you.

 

Is my start menu broken?

Just updated as well, and thought I would finally give the windows 10 start menu a go, and not use classic shell. But I'm unsure whether my start menu is broken, and I should do a clean install.

• I can drag a tile from the start menu to the desktop, but I can't drag a desktop icon to the start menu so it becomes a windows 10 tile icon?
• I can right-click a tile and pin a shortcut to the taskbar, but again, I can't right-click a shortcut from the taskbar and pin it to the start menu.
• When dragging tiles around, I have to wait before the animation is done until I can start the next drag.

• I only have two options, large square or small square. Wasn't there a time, where you could have wide and tall and huge tiles? Or does that only works for apps :/? (I don't use any windows 10 apps)
• I can't rename a pinned shortcut?
• And is there still no option to add custom images to icons and make them look nice?

Have Microsoft not had 4 years with these new "tile icons"? And it is till this bad?

The only way for me to pin a program to the start menu is by locating it in the programs list in the start menu and drag or right-click to pin it. I use multiple versions of the same program, but the programs list in the start
menu only shows one, so how on earth to I add a shortcut to the other versions then?

 

Well.. ah.. hacking the registry could be the cause. Have you tried to restore the registry to it's original settings and see if you can pin items to the start menu?? And did you back up the registry before you started hacking it??

 

I haven't backed up the registry, so I don't suppose there is any easy way to do a restore, besides the built in system reset feature...

Just thought I'd check in to see if anyone had an easy fix before I do a clean install...

 

I always recommend that if you do an type of hacking into the registry that backing it up first is essential., You never know when/if you'll need to do a restore of it.. at some time,

 

Yeah, basic stuff, lol...

I need to do a few installs anyway, just so I can remember all the crap to get rid of/disable/tweak on all the systems I'll inevitably get asked to sort out come roll out day, ha!

 

We all do it.. well I'm guilty of it at times as well. Next time just remember to back up and then play with the registry.

Jeff *Smile

 

I've done the clean install now, so thanks for the responses and consider my problem solved.

I may take some selective registry backups on this one now, just for future reference... *Biggrin

 

Super glad to hear!! And you're so welcome..
Have a great weekend.
Jeff *Smile

 

So this issue has occurred again...

The 'Pin to Start' menu item has no effect whether it's from the Start->All Programs menu or File Explorer. I can drag and drop shortcuts from the All Programs menu and they will pin, but cannot do the same from File Explorer.

It had been working fine, I pinned a couple of apps via the context menu item, then I installed Visual Studio 2015 RC. After the installation completed I unsuccessfully tried to pin some of the new items and that's when I realised the problem had reoccurred.

So, I would have to say this is a bug with Windows.

I can live with it for now, seeing as this is a temporary installation, but it will be bloody annoying if it occurs with the official release.

If anyone has any ideas then feel free to chime in.

 

If you haven't already, be sure to report your findings in Windows Feedback. MS seems to be pretty good at working on reported bugs, it's just some of the features insiders have asked for they seem to ignore (e.g. tabs in File Explorer).

 

See if these steps help. Some of these steps might require a good amount of time to complete - consider it maintenance downtime.

• Run the System File checker.
  See OPTION TWO To Run SFC /SCANNOW Command in Windows 8 in:
  SFC /SCANNOW Command
  
  
• Run Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management (DISM) to check and repair the Windows Component Store.
  See OPTION ONE To Run "DISM /Cleanup-Image" tool in an Elevated Command Prompt in:
  DISM - Fixing Component Store Corruption
  
  
• Prepare for a Clean Startup:
  See PART ONE How to Perform a Clean Boot in:
  Troubleshoot Problem with Clean Boot

 

Cheers, I'll give the first two a try and report back.

My Startup is completely clean as is, so no need for that.

 

I ran sfc /scannow and got:

But, strangely enough, pinning is back to working as it should do?

Don't think I tried pinning anything after the reboots since the Visual Studio install and the problem occuring. So perhaps rebooting sorted it?

Either way thanks for the help.