Windows 8 allows users to pin program and shortcuts, folders, libraries, and .MSC files (management console) to the Start Screen. And You’re limited to only these. If you wanted to pin any other file type, you’ll have to depend on a third-party tool.
However, you can change this default behavior and pin any file you desire to the Start Screen with a registry edit. Here’s how:
Add “Pin to Start” Context Menu Option
Open notepad and paste in the following:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\pintostartscreen]
"MUIVerb"="@shell32.dll,-51201"
"NeverDefault"=""
"Description"="@shell32.dll,-51202"
"MultiSelectModel"="Single"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\pintostartscreen\command]
"DelegateExecute"="{470C0EBD-5D73-4d58-9CED-E91E22E23282}"
Give the document any name you like and save it as .reg file. For example, add-pin-to-start.reg.
Now double-click on the newly created .reg file and add it to your Registry.
Now if you right-click on any file, you should be able to see the new “Pin to Start” option. Click on it to pin the file to your Start Screen. That’s all there is to it.
Remove “Pin to Start” Context Menu Option
To remove the context menu option we will follow a similar process.
Open Notepad, and paste in the following:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\pintostartscreen\command] [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\pintostartscreen]
Save this document as .reg file as well. Run it whenever you want to remove the right-click option.
If you’d like to have ready-made files, download them below:
Download: Add-Remove Pin to Start