Fix Unable to Pin App to Taskbar and Start Menu (Missing Context Menu and Jump Lists) Error in Windows 7
In Windows 7, there may be occasional error where user cannot drag and drop an application program to Windows Taskbar (Superbar) and Start Menu anymore, with the icon shows a red cross when user attempts to place it on Taskbar or Start Menu. When right click on a program icon or shortcut, the “Pin to Taskbar” and “Pin to Start Menu” context menu is missing and not showing too.
Other symptom that may affect users facing these errors in Windows 7 including no Jump List been popped up when right clicking on icons in Taskbar.
The cause of the problem is because users have made the shortcut in Windows 7 to be ‘not a shortcut’ by removing the shortcut arrow on icons (including desktop icons) by removing IsShortcut registry key.
Thus, to fix the issue that application programs unable to pin to Taskbar and Start Menu, just re-add the IsShortcut registry key back to .lnk (and other extensions if applicable) shortcut to reset and restore back original state.
For user who insists on removing the shortcut arrow, the proper way to remove shortcut arrow yet still allowing pin to Taskbar.
Related posts:
- Shift-Right Click to Reveal Classic Context Menu (Restore, Move, Maximize, Minimize) on Windows 7 Taskbar App
- How to Remove Shortcut Arrow on Icons in Windows (Include Desktop Items)
- Transform and Convert Windows XP Start Menu to Emulate Windows Vista Start Menu with VSE
- Improve the Conventional Start Menu With Vista Start Menu
- How to Make the Windows 7 SuperBar (Taskbar) Icons Smaller (Small Size)
SHORTCUTS WITH CERTAIN WORDS IN THE NAME OF THE SHORTCUT CANNOT BE ADDED TO THE TASKBAR.
THE LIST OF WORDS THAT ARE FORBIDDEN ARE IN THE REGISTRY KEY: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerFileAssociationAddRemoveNames
You can edit the list where necessary if you want to pin a shortcut which contains any of those words.
I create a MMC console, I saved it on my local drive, I create a shortcut in the same folder and father that I drag and drop the shortcut and it work….I have a "pin" shortcut in the task bar…
If I can't pin the program by dragging it. All I do is start the program then right click on its tab in the task bar and hit "pin this program to the taskbar"
Thanks to the publisher. Just had the same problem was unable to pin app to taskbar – problem solved puting back shortcut arrow!
Cheers lads and many thanks!
it's work!
"there may be occasional error where user cannot drag and drop an application program to Windows Taskbar"
Occasional? Happened 3 times in the last 4 months. Piece of crap OS. KILL! KILL! KILL!
STILL SAME :""(
tnx. I May be Mad for this
Thanks alot! I used a program tom remove the shortcut symbols. I just enabled them again and everything works perfect
Word has jump lists that work perfectly, but excel doesn't, is that normal or? does anyone know.
simple fix – open program – icon appears on taskbar when application ifs running, right click, pin to taskbar.
Another method work for my case:
One of your Delete or Clear Jumplist Recent Items in Windows 7 is corrupted in AutomaticDestinations-hidden system folder
go to
%APPDATA%MicrosoftWindowsRecentAutomaticDestinations
YOu may notice one of the file is huge compare to the other. Delete that or just delete them all.
I found another situation that causes this problem.
When the shortcut points directly to a Windows .BAT file, Windows won't let you pin the shortcut. Solution: add "cmd.exe /c " before the batch file in the shortcut properties.
works fine for me
Notice:you have to relogin to make the change effective.
Thanks so much
[...] [...]
my "can not pin" problem started when uninstalled ESET and installed Panda Cloud Antivirus. Registry key seems fine. Any ideas?
u have to create a dword value (32bit) and set its value to 1, otherwise it won't work
and then u have to restart your computer
quote: this did not work for me. IsShortcut is already there. i deleted it. put it back. tried things. still no pinning/jump of folders.
ditto. IsShortcut is there but for some reason certain .lnk don;t have "Pin to Taskbar" in the context menu when right or shift-right clicking.
[...] Windows to treat the shortcut as real hard file. In Windows 7, it may also cause error such as unable to pin shortcut to Taskbar or Start Menu. To avoid these issue, use another workaround to remove shortcut [...]
found solution. this isnt for apps but for folders. make sure that you have Recent Programs and Recent Items turned on. otherwise you cant pin folders
this did not work for me. IsShortcut is already there. i deleted it. put it back. tried things. still no pinning/jump of folders.
There is a way to remove the arrow without causing the taskbar problem:
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=624…
Enjoy! ^_^