Do you want to access your favorite apps quickly and easily? With Android’s pinned apps feature, you can keep your most-used apps within reach at all times. Whether you’re a power user who needs instant access to productivity tools or simply want to keep your favorite games and social media apps at your fingertips, pinning apps to the bottom of your screen is a convenient and customizable solution. Let’s explore how to make the most of this useful feature.
To pin an app to the bottom of your screen, simply long-press on the app’s icon in the app drawer or on the home screen. This will open a context menu with several options, including the “Pin to bottom” option. Once you select this option, the app will be added to the bottom of your screen, where it will remain visible and accessible even when you’re using other apps. You can pin multiple apps to the bottom of your screen, creating a customized quick-access bar that suits your specific needs and preferences. Furthermore, you can rearrange the order of the pinned apps by simply dragging and dropping them to the desired positions.
The pinned apps feature provides a number of benefits. First and foremost, it allows you to access your favorite apps quickly and easily, without having to search for them in the app drawer or on the home screen. This can be especially useful when you’re multitasking or when you need to access an app in a hurry. Additionally, pinning apps to the bottom of your screen can help you stay organized and focused. By keeping your most-used apps within reach, you can minimize distractions and improve your productivity. Moreover, the pinned apps feature is highly customizable, allowing you to tailor it to your specific needs and preferences. You can pin any app you want, and you can rearrange the order of the pinned apps to create a layout that works best for you.
Pin Apps to the Taskbar
Right-Click and Pin
- Locate the app: Open the Start menu or click the Windows icon in the taskbar. Scroll through the list of apps or use the search bar to find the app you want to pin.
- Right-click the app icon: Once you’ve found the app, right-click on its icon. A context menu will appear with various options.
- Select "Pin to taskbar": In the context menu, hover over the "More" option. A submenu will appear. Select "Pin to taskbar" from the submenu.
- Confirm the action: A confirmation dialog box may appear asking if you want to pin the app to the taskbar. Click "Yes" to proceed.
This process works for both desktop apps and Microsoft Store apps. Once you’ve pinned an app to the taskbar, it will always be accessible at the bottom of the screen, making it easy to launch and use.
Drag and Drop
- Open the Start menu or click the Windows icon: This will display a list of all your installed apps.
- Find the app you want to pin: Scroll through the list or use the search bar to locate the app.
- Click and hold the app icon: Once you’ve found the app, click and hold down the left mouse button on its icon.
- Drag the app to the taskbar: While holding down the mouse button, drag the app icon to the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
- Release the mouse button: Once you’ve moved the app icon over the taskbar, release the mouse button. The app will be automatically pinned to the taskbar.
This method is quick and easy, but it only works for desktop apps. Microsoft Store apps cannot be pinned to the taskbar using the drag-and-drop method.
Create a New Taskbar Folder
- Right-click on the taskbar: This will display a context menu with various options.
- Select "New" and then "Folder": This will create a new folder on the taskbar.
- Drag and drop apps into the folder: Find the apps you want to group together and drag and drop their icons into the new taskbar folder.
- Rename the folder (optional): Right-click on the taskbar folder and select "Rename" to give it a custom name.
This method allows you to organize your pinned apps into logical groups, making it easier to find and launch the apps you need.
Adjust App Icons on the Taskbar
Customizing the taskbar in Windows allows for easier access to frequently used apps. To pin an app to the taskbar, simply drag and drop its icon from the Start menu or desktop onto the taskbar. However, if you desire a more organized and aesthetically pleasing taskbar, you can adjust the arrangement and icons of the pinned apps.
To adjust the icons, right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.” Under the “Taskbar behavior” section, you will find the option to “Combine taskbar buttons.” This setting affects how multiple windows of the same app are displayed on the taskbar.
Three Display Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Never | Displays each window individually, creating multiple icons on the taskbar. |
| When taskbar is full | Displays multiple windows as one icon when the taskbar is crowded to save space. |
| Always, hide labels | Groups multiple app windows into a single icon but hides the window labels, making it less clear which apps are open. |
Additionally, you can change the size of the app icons by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting “Taskbar settings.” Under the “Taskbar size” section, you can choose between “Small,” “Medium,” and “Large” icons.
Lock Apps on the Bottom of the Screen
To lock apps on the bottom of the screen, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on “Display”.
- Tap on “Navigation bar”.
- Select “Lock apps to bottom of screen”.
- Tap on the apps you want to lock.
Pinning Apps to the Bottom of the Screen
Once you have locked the apps, they will be pinned to the bottom of the screen. You can then access them by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.
The following table provides a summary of the steps involved in pinning apps to the bottom of the screen:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the Settings app. |
| 2 | Tap on “Display”. |
| 3 | Tap on “Navigation bar”. |
| 4 | Select “Lock apps to bottom of screen”. |
| 5 | Tap on the apps you want to lock. |
Customize the Taskbar Height
Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
Under “Taskbar height,” use the slider to adjust the height of the taskbar. You can choose from small, medium, or large.
Click “OK” to save your changes.
Adjust Icon Size
You can also adjust the size of the icons on the taskbar. To do this:
- Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
- Under “Taskbar height,” use the slider to adjust the size of the icons. You can choose from small, medium, or large.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
Hide the Taskbar When Not in Use
If you want to save even more space on your screen, you can hide the taskbar when it’s not in use. To do this:
- Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
- Under “Taskbar behaviors,” select the “Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode” checkbox.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
The taskbar will now automatically hide when you’re not using it. To show it again, simply move your mouse to the bottom of the screen.
| Option | Effect |
|---|---|
| Small | Icons and text are small. |
| Medium | Icons and text are medium-sized. |
| Large | Icons and text are large. |
Prevent Apps from Moving on the Taskbar
In Windows 10 and 11, you can prevent apps from accidentally moving on the taskbar by locking them in place. To do this, right-click on the app icon in the taskbar and select Lock taskbar. The app will now be locked in place and unable to be moved.
Method 1: Using the Settings App
1. Open the Settings app and go to Personalization > Taskbar.
2. Under Taskbar behaviors, toggle the Lock the taskbar switch to On.
Method 2: Using Registry Editor
Warning: Incorrectly editing the registry can cause serious problems. Proceed with caution.
1. Open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows + R and typing regedit.
2. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
3. In the right pane, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named TaskbarLock.
4. Set the value of TaskbarLock to 1.
5. Restart your computer.
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Settings App |
|
| Registry Editor |
Warning: Proceed with caution.
|
Enable Always-on-Top
The Always-on-Top feature allows you to keep a specific app or window visible even when other apps are running or you switch focus. This can be useful for keeping important information or tools at your fingertips. To enable Always-on-Top:
1. Open the app or window you want to keep on top.
2. Right-click on the app’s icon in the taskbar.
3. Select “Always on Top” from the menu that appears.
4. The app or window will now stay on top of all other windows until you disable the feature.
Additional Details
Here are some additional details about using the Always-on-Top feature:
- You can enable Always-on-Top for multiple apps or windows simultaneously.
- The Always-on-Top feature can be enabled for desktop apps, as well as Windows Store apps.
- Some apps may have their own built-in Always-on-Top feature, which can be enabled from within the app’s settings.
Here are some scenarios where Always-on-Top can be useful:
- Keeping a calculator or notepad window on top while working on other tasks.
- Displaying a video conference window on top while browsing the web or working on other documents.
- Pinning a specific chat window on top while multitasking.
Use Third-Party Utilities
There are many third-party utilities available that can help you capture pinned apps on the bottom of the screen. Here are a few of the most popular:
1. App Pin Shortcut
App Pin Shortcut is a free utility that allows you to create a shortcut to any pinned app on your desktop. You can then place this shortcut on the bottom of the screen for easy access.
2. Pin to Taskbar++
Pin to Taskbar++ is a more advanced utility that allows you to customize the way pinned apps are displayed on the taskbar. You can change the size, position, and appearance of pinned apps, and you can even create groups of pinned apps.
3. TaskbarX
TaskbarX is a powerful utility that can completely change the appearance and functionality of the taskbar. You can use TaskbarX to move the taskbar to the top, bottom, or side of the screen, and you can change its size, transparency, and color. TaskbarX also allows you to pin apps to the taskbar in a variety of ways, including:
- Pinning apps to the left or right side of the taskbar
- Pinning apps to the center of the taskbar
- Pinning apps to a specific location on the taskbar
- Pinning apps to a group
In addition to these utilities, there are many other third-party utilities available that can help you capture pinned apps on the bottom of the screen. Experiment with different utilities to find the one that best meets your needs.
Modify Taskbar Position
To modify the position of the taskbar, follow these steps:
- Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar.
- Select “Taskbar settings” from the context menu.
- Under “Taskbar alignment,” select the desired position for the taskbar. You can choose from “Top,” “Bottom,” “Left,” or “Right.”
- Click “Apply” to save your changes.
Auto-hide the Taskbar
You can also choose to auto-hide the taskbar so that it only appears when you move your mouse to the edge of the screen where it is located. To enable auto-hide:
- Follow the steps above to open the Taskbar settings.
- Under “Taskbar behaviors,” enable the “Automatically hide the taskbar” option.
- Click “Apply” to save your changes.
Change the Taskbar Height
You can also adjust the height of the taskbar to make it taller or shorter. To do this:
- Right-click on the edge of the taskbar where you want to adjust the height.
- Drag the edge up or down to resize the taskbar.
Create a Custom Taskbar
If you want to further customize the taskbar, you can create a custom one using a third-party app. There are many different apps available that allow you to change the appearance and functionality of the taskbar. Some popular options include:
- TaskbarX
- FalconX
- TranslucentTB
Group Apps into Taskbar Folders
To organize your pinned apps and create a more streamlined taskbar, you can group them into folders. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do it:
Step-by-Step Instructions
-
Pin apps to the taskbar: Pin the desired apps to the taskbar by right-clicking on them and selecting "Pin to taskbar."
-
Create a folder: Right-click on an empty spot on the taskbar and select "New" > "Folder."
-
Drag apps into the folder: Drag and drop the pinned apps you want to group into the newly created folder.
-
Resize the folder: Adjust the size of the folder by dragging its edges.
-
Name the folder: Click on the folder and type a name for it.
-
Add more apps: You can continue adding apps to the folder by dragging them in.
-
Remove apps: To remove apps from the folder, drag them out.
-
Rename the folder: Right-click on the folder and select "Rename" to change its name.
-
Customizing Folder Appearance:
- Change folder icon: Right-click on the folder, select "Properties," and click on the "Change Icon" button.
- Set folder color: Right-click on the folder, select "Properties," and click on the "Color" button to choose a custom color for the folder’s background.
- Add a background image: Open the "Settings" app, go to "Personalization," and under "Background," select "Custom." Choose the image you want to use as the folder’s background and click on "Browse."
Manage Taskbar overflow
If the Taskbar becomes overcrowded with pinned apps, it may start to overflow into a second row. To prevent this, you can disable the “Show overflow button” option.
1. Open Taskbar settings
Right-click on the Taskbar and select “Taskbar settings”.
2. Disable “Show overflow button”
In the “Taskbar” settings, toggle the “Show overflow button” option to “Off”.
This will disable the overflow button and prevent the Taskbar from overflowing into a second row.
Here is a more detailed explanation of the steps:
- Right-click on the Taskbar and select “Taskbar settings”.
- In the “Taskbar” settings, toggle the “Show overflow button” option to “Off”.
- Disable “Show overflow button” option will prevent the Taskbar from overflowing into a second row.
| Option | Description |
|:—|:—|
| Show overflow button | Whether to display the overflow button on the Taskbar. |
| Taskbar position | The position of the Taskbar on the screen. |
| Taskbar alignment | The alignment of the Taskbar on the screen. |
How to Capture Pinned Apps on the Bottom of the Screen
Capturing pinned apps on the bottom of the screen allows you to quickly access frequently used applications without navigating through the app drawer. To do this:
- Open the Settings app.
- Navigate to Display & Gesture.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page and toggle on the “Pin Apps to Bottom” option.
Now, you can pin apps to the bottom of the screen by long-pressing on the app icon and selecting “Pin to Bottom” from the menu. Up to five apps can be pinned at a time.
People Also Ask
How to unpin apps from the bottom of the screen?
To unpin an app from the bottom of the screen, long-press on the app icon and select “Unpin” from the menu.
Can I change the order of pinned apps?
Yes
To change the order of pinned apps, long-press on an app icon and drag it to the desired position.
How to hide the pinned apps bar?
To hide the pinned apps bar, open the Settings app, navigate to Display & Gesture, and toggle off the “Pin Apps to Bottom” option.
