Windows – Cannot add items to start menu in Windows 10

start-menuwindows 10

I seem to be completely unable to add items to the start menu in Windows 10.

If I right-click on a folder and choose "Pin to Start" nothing happens.

If I drag and drop an item onto the start menu, nothing happens (screenshot of the icon I see when trying to drag and drop a folder. I drew the red box around the icon of a folder I am trying to drop).

enter image description here

I have checked to make sure the various "Start Menu" folders have correct permissions. I have even tried creating shortcuts to these items IN the start menu folders. The shortscuts get created, but the items do not show up on the start menu.

What can I do to solve this?

Best Answer

The steps are to

  1. Place a shortcut to the item in %appdata%\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs; the item now appears in the long list of programs
  2. Right-click on the item in the start programs list, and you will see "Pin to Start"

See here, PaulC_1's answer, among other places.

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