Open an app without hunting
- Press the Windows key. Type the app’s name, such as Calculator.
- Choose the installed app result. If you only see a website or Store offer, the app may not be installed under that name.
- To keep it handy, right-click the app result and choose Pin to Start.
Arrange the apps you use
Drag pinned apps into a useful order where your Windows version supports it. Right-click a shortcut to unpin it when you no longer need it. Unpin and Uninstall are different actions: one removes the shortcut; the other removes software.
Open Settings > Personalization > Start to review available layout, recommendation, and folder options. The exact choices depend on your Windows build. Live tiles from Windows 10 are not the same as Windows 11 pinned apps.
Prefer the Start button on the left?
- Right-click a blank area of the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
- Open Taskbar behaviors and look for Taskbar alignment. Choose Left if available.
- Open Start again and check the result. You can return to the same setting to change it back.
When a shortcut is not the problem
If search finds the app but opening it produces an error, the menu has done its job. Record the error and troubleshoot the app. Repeatedly pinning or unpinning it will not repair damaged program files.
Official instructions & further reading
Windows features and menus vary by version. These publisher resources explain the supported procedures.