Windows 10: How do I pin a bat/cmd file to the start menu or taskbar in Windows 11

I've recently purchased a new computer, upgrading from Windows 7 to Window 11.I'm trying to configure my new Win11 machine to give me the same functionality and ease of use as my Win07 machine.I have several bat/cmd scripts that I use for starting applications in specific ways that I want. Such as copying backup files to a specific drive after exiting the program.I used to have these bat/cmd scripts pinned to my start menu. I cannot figure out how to do this in Windows 11.I've tried right clicking on the bat/cmd file to look for the "Pin to xxxxx" option, but it's not there for bat/cmd files.I

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How to pin either a Shortcut or a Batch file to the new Windows 7, 8 and 10 Taskbar and start menu?

This thread nearly answers my problem, another thread worth reading that solves these issues in a different way is here:Adding Batch Files to Windows 7 Taskbar like the Vista/XP Quick Launch

I was able to add a batchfile to the taskbar by the following steps:

1. Renaming your .cmd/.bat to to .exe
   
2. Right clicking on the *.exe and choose pin to taskbar
   
3. Renaming it back to .cmd/.bat
   
4. Shift+right clicking the taskbar icon (for the exe) and choose properties
   
5. Changing the reference from *.exe to .cmd/.bat and change icon as needed
   

It starts working right away but the icon refresh needs a reboot.

I have an additional question though: how do you get a pinned taskbar batch file accepting another file as a parameter? It works when pinned onto the startbar, or just in the folder, but I can't get it working like it did on XP.

This is the functionality I'm talking about:

 

How to pin a bat file to start menu

Before anyone points to the various workarounds, I've tried all I can find and they all seem to have problems.

I want to be able to give other people in my office a folder of files (eg, on a usb stick) that they can move to a location on their PC that allow them to connect to our VPN and then RDP into their office machines.

I have this running on my machine, but I do not know what set up each of our staff has.

The sticking point is pinning a batch file to their start menu and taskbar.

I am using a batch file that connects to the VPN using rasdial, and then remotes in using mstsc (with reference to an .rdp file). The folder I would give them would therefore contain a batch file and an rdp file

I've managed to make all pathways relative so far - eg, in the batch file:

Code:

[i]mstsc "%~dp0mycompany.rdp"[/i]

The problem I have is the flaw in Windows that means you cannot pin a batch file to Windows start menu or taskbar.

I have tried the workaround using a shortcut and cmd...

Code:

C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /c "C:\Users\me\Documents\Connection to Company PC\companyremoteconnection.bat"

The problem with that bodge-job is that cmd moves the starting point of the shortcut to System32, and so I can't then use a relative pathway to the batch file.

Can anyone suggest any other ideas I might try?

Thanks a lot.

 

File explorer icon from taskbar dissappears while working on it

Hi,

To assist you with your concern, we suggest you pin the File Explorer from the Start Menu by following these steps:

• Click the Start Menu.
• Right-click File Explorer.
• Choose Pin to taskbar.

If you need further assistance, feel free to reply to this post.