Windows 10: Excel icon on Tasbar

In Windows 11 hovering over the Excel icon i get a list of open Excel files. When I move up the list the background changes to the Desktop. All this before selecting a file. This is different from Windows 10 where the background never changes. Is there a way to stop this?Thanks, Skye Toronto

:)

 

Help with Pinning Excel Files in the taskbar

Hello! PianSa

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community

Certainly! Let’s tackle this step by step. To pin an individual Excel file to the taskbar, we’ll create a custom shortcut and then pin it.

Here’s how you can achieve that:

1. Create a Shortcut:
   
   • Right-click on your desktop.
     
   • Select “New” and then choose “Shortcut.”
     
   • In the location field, paste the actual path to your Excel file (replace the dummy file path).
     
   • Click “Next.”
     
   • Type a name for the shortcut and click “Finish.”
     
2. Customize the Shortcut (Optional):
   
   • By default, the shortcut’s icon will be the File Explorer icon. If you’ve already pinned File Explorer to your taskbar, this can be confusing.
     
   • To change the icon, right-click the shortcut and select “Properties.”
     
   • In the properties window, click “Change icon.”
     
   • Choose an icon or download a custom one in .ico format.
     
3. Pin the Shortcut to the Taskbar:
   
   • Drag and drop the shortcut onto the taskbar.
     
   • Now your Excel file is pinned to the taskbar, and you can open it with a single click.
     

Remember that Windows doesn’t directly allow pinning individual files to the taskbar, but creating a custom shortcut provides a workaround. Enjoy quick access to your favorite Excel file!

I have also tried pinning a specific file into the Taskbar, it seems that this doesn't allow you to pin files directly to the Taskbar but only to shortcuts for applications such as Office programs, Browsers, and utilities: notepad and all. However, you can pin the files inside the file explorer as favorites and this will be pinned under Quick Access.

I would suggest to use the feedback hub app for this feature to be added in Windows: Start menu > Search Feedback hub app > I have a suggestion: Send feedback to Microsoft with the Feedback Hub app - Microsoft Support

I hope this helps!

Thank you,

Vince
Microsoft Community Moderator

 

No context menu for Excel icon (on pinned icon to taskbar)

Hi Cainoor,

It's most likely caused by Jump Lists corruption. Check this blog post.

Right clicking Excel icon in the task bar no longer
shows recent files - The Microsoft Excel Support Team Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs

That post was written for a slightly different issue and for Excel 2007/2010. If that doesn't work for Excel 2013 or if the Jump List ID isn't found, try renaming or deleting this file instead: "f0275e8685d95486.automaticDestinations-ms"

 

"Excel 2016" App icon still in app list after uninstalling

Hi Averen,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

Apologize for the difficulties that you're experiencing with Windows 10. Do not worry. We'll be glad to help you in resolving this issue.

What happens when you click on the Excel 2016 App icon?

Try Removing Apps From The All Apps List by following the below steps.

Step 1: Right-click on Excel 2016 from All Apps List > Click on
More > Open file location.

Step 2: After clicking Open file location, a new File Explorer window will appear showing you the application shortcut, so you may want to delete that shortcut,
restart the computer once, and check for the issue.

Alternatively, you may also press the Windows and R keys > Type or copy/paste the following command and hit
Enter.

%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

Then, look for Excel 2016 shortcut and delete it. Once deleted, restart the computer once, and check for the issue.

If you are still facing the same issue, I would suggest you to post a Screenshot
of the Apps list, where you are seeing the Excel shortcut.

Give it a shot and let us know of any changes.