How to Pin Microsoft Store App to Taskbar in Windows 11

What is the Microsoft Store?

It’s the app on Windows where you can find and download games, apps, and other cool things for your PC.

Usually, the Microsoft Store icon is already on your taskbar when you sign in. If it’s missing, don’t worry — you can pin it back.

What does “Pin to Taskbar” mean?

Pinning an app means placing its icon on the taskbar. You can then open it with a single click, instead of searching for it in the Start menu.

How to Pin or Unpin Microsoft Store on Your Taskbar

Pin Microsoft Store to Taskbar

1. Click the ⊞ Start button (Windows icon) 🖥️ on the taskbar or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Type Microsoft Store in 🔍 the search box.
3. When the Microsoft Store app appears, right-click it.
4. Choose 📌 Pin to taskbar.

Unpin Microsoft Store from Taskbar

1. Find the Microsoft Store icon on 🖥️ your taskbar.
2. Right-click the icon.
3. Select 📌 Unpin from taskbar.

For Advanced Users: How to Allow or Prevent Pinning Microsoft Store Using Settings

If you’re managing several PCs or need to decide if users can pin the Store app, you have two advanced options: the Local Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor. These tools are typically for experienced users or system administrators.

1Using Local Group Policy Editor

⚠️ Admin Privileges Required

Keep in mind that this tool is only available if you’re using Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education.

1. Press ⊞ Win+R keys to open the Run box.
2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
3. In the window that opens, go to: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > ⊞ Start Menu and Taskbar
4. On the right side, find and double-click Do not allow pinning Store app to 🖥️ the Taskbar.
5. You’ll see three options:

   • Not Configured – Default behavior (pinning allowed).
   • Enabled – Prevents users from pinning the Microsoft Store app. It also removes the icon if it’s already pinned.
   • Disabled – Allows pinning the Microsoft Store app.
6. Choose the option you want, then click OK.
7. 🔄 Restart your PC to apply changes.

2Using Windows Registry Editor

⚠️ Admin Privileges Required

Warning: Be careful when editing the registry. Creating backups before changes is a good idea.

1. Press ⊞ Win+R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to one of these folders depending on who you want to affect:

   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer (just your user account)
   • OR
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer (all users on the PC)
3. Look for a value named NoPinningStoreToTaskbar on the right side.
4. If it’s not there, 🖱️ right-click on the empty space, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it NoPinningStoreToTaskbar.
5. Double-click NoPinningStoreToTaskbar and set the value to:

   • 1 – Disable pinning the Microsoft Store app.
   • 0 or delete the value – Allow pinning.
6. Click OK, then close the Registry Editor.
7. 🔄 Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Summary

You can quickly add or remove the Microsoft Store icon from 🖥️ your taskbar by right-clicking the app and choosing “📌 Pin to taskbar” or “📌 Unpin from taskbar.” Why do this? It saves you time by giving you instant access to the app.

For system administrators, the Local Group Policy Editor and Registry Editor allow control over whether users can pin the Store app. What happens when you use these tools? You can manage pinning settings across multiple computers in an office.

These options give you control over your Windows 11 setup or help when you’re managing several computers. If you want more help or have questions, feel free to ask!