How to Organize Windows 11 Start Menu Apps into Folders

Advanced Start Menu Customization

A folder can only hold apps that are already pinned, so it helps to get the pins right first.

1. Click the Start button or press the Win. You should see the pinned apps at the top.
2. To pin a new app, click All apps, right-click the program, and select Pin to Start 📌. The app now appears at the end of the pinned section.
3. To remove a pin, right-click the app in the pinned section and select Unpin from 📌 Start. This only removes the shortcut from Start. The app stays installed.
4. To reorder icons, click and drag an icon to a new position. The other icons move aside to make room, and the icon stays there when you let go.

If your pinned section feels cramped, open Settings › Personalization › Start On Windows 11 22H2 and later, you can choose a layout with more pins and fewer recommendations. This is a quick way to make room for several folders.

Troubleshooting and Management

Troubleshoot a malfunctioning Windows 11 Start menu ⊞ by checking relevant settings or restarting Windows Explorer 📁. Restarting Explorer (the program responsible for managing the desktop and taskbar) often resolves display issues with the menu.

If dragging does nothing, or a folder looks wrong, work through these checks in order:

1. Confirm you are on version 22H2 or later in Settings › System › About. Older builds cannot create folders.
2. Make sure you are dragging inside the Pinned section, not the Recommended section or the All apps list.
3. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager 📊. If you see a small window, click More details first.
4. On the Processes tab, find Windows Explorer 📁, right-click it, and select Restart. The taskbar 🖥️ and desktop will disappear for a few seconds and then come back. Open Start ⊞ again and try the drag.

If the problem remains, restart the PC and check Windows Update for pending updates.

Summary

• Grouping apps keeps your Start menu tidy and organized. A few well-named folders are easier to scan than one long list of icons.
• You can create folders by dragging one app icon on top of another. This needs Windows 11 version 22H2 or later, and both apps must be pinned.
• You can rename folders to keep your digital space categorized. Open the folder and use the name field at the bottom to type a new label.
• You can easily add, remove, or rearrange your apps within these folders at any time. Drag an app out of the open folder to remove it. Nothing is uninstalled when you do this.
• Customizing your Start menu layout helps improve your daily productivity. If something stops working, restarting Windows Explorer is the quickest fix to try first.

Windows 11 Start Menu folders let you group your favorite apps together so your screen stays clean and easy to read. You can make a folder by dragging one app icon directly on top of another. Once you create a folder, you can click it to open the contents, drag in more apps, or change the folder name to match what is inside.

To undo a folder, open it and drag each app back out to the main pinned area. Windows removes the folder once it no longer holds a group of apps. Your apps stay installed the whole time, so you can rearrange as often as you like.