How to Pin a Folder to the Start Menu in Windows 11

In Windows 11, the Start Menu has been completely redesigned. Instead of the complex, live-tile layout of Windows 10, the new Start Menu features a clean grid of “Pinned” applications at the top and “Recommended” files at the bottom.

While pinning a program like Microsoft Word or Google Chrome is obvious, pinning a specific folder—like your current project folder, or a deep subfolder full of photographs—is surprisingly counter-intuitive. Windows does not allow you to right-click a folder and pin it to the main grid of the Start Menu. Instead, you must pin it as a quick-access shortcut along the very bottom edge of the menu next to the Power button.

How to Pin Folders to the Start Menu

You cannot pin arbitrary, custom-created folders (like a folder on your Desktop) directly to the Start Menu using the standard settings. Microsoft only allows you to pin core system folders (like Documents, Downloads, or Pictures).

1. Press the Windows Key or click the Start button, and click on the Settings app (the gear icon).
2. In the left-hand sidebar, click on Personalisation.
3. In the main panel, scroll down and click on Start.
4. Look for a menu option labelled Folders and click on it.
5. You will see a list of core system folders, including Settings, File Explorer, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, Videos, Network, and Personal folder.
6. Click the Toggle Switch next to any folder you want to pin so that it turns On.

Once activated, open your Start Menu again. Look directly to the left of the Power Button in the bottom-right corner. You will now see small, dedicated icons for the folders you just selected. Clicking one will instantly open that specific location in File Explorer.

A Workaround for Custom Folders

If you absolutely must pin a specific, custom project folder (e.g., C:\Work\Project2024) to the Start Menu, you have to use a legacy workaround.

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to your custom folder.
2. Right-click the folder and select Pin to Quick Access.
3. Now, open your Start Menu and click on the generic File Explorer icon you pinned using the steps in the previous section.
4. When File Explorer opens, your custom project folder will be sitting prominently at the top of the left-hand sidebar under the “Quick Access” heading.