How to Enable or Disable Unpin from Taskbar in Windows 11?

By default, Windows 11 Taskbar items remain in the center and host the Start menu, Search, Task View, Widgets, Teams Chat, File Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Microsoft Store buttons. Users can also pin an application or folder to the Taskbar that also stays in the center. Manually pinned items can be unpinned from the Taskbar by right-clicking on the icon on Taskbar and selecting the option Unpin from taskbar.

However, if you want to stop users from pinning items to Taskbar or unpinning items from the Taskbar, this gearupwindows article will guide you to do the same. This ensures that the taskbar icons are consistent for all users.

How to Turn On or Off Unpin from Taskbar in Windows 11?

To enable or disable unpinning from the taskbar in Windows 11, use the following steps:-

Step 1. Open Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2. When the Local Group Policy Editor appears on your computer, steer for the following path:-

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

Step 3. On the right-side pane of the “Start Menu and Taskbar,” double-click the policy name “Do not allow pinning programs to the Taskbar” to open its settings.

Step 4. Then, select the Enabled option.

Step 5. Next, click the Apply button.

Step 6. After that, hit the OK button.

Step 7. At last, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Once you complete the above steps, when you perform a right-click on the shortcut or an application, you will notice that the Pin to taskbar option is missing. Also, right-clicking on a pinned program on Windows 11 Taskbar will not show Unpin from taskbar option.

If you change to revert the changes and want to turn on pinning or unpinning programs to the taskbar, repeat the above steps and in 4, select the Not Configured option.

How to Prevent Pinning or Unpinning Programs to the Taskbar in Windows 11 via Registry Editor?

To stop or prevent pinning or unpinning applications to the Taskbar in Windows 11 via Registry Editor, use these steps:-

Step 1. First, launch Registry Editor.

Step 2. When the Registry Editor appears on your computer, browse to the following key on the left side:-

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

Step 3. Next, right-click on the Explorer key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Step 4. Name the newly created REG_DWORD as NoPinningToTaskbar.

Step 5. Now, double-click on NoPinningToTaskbar and set its Value data to 1 to stop pinning and unpinning from Windows 11 Taskbar.

Step 6. Then, click OK.

Step 7. Finally, reboot your computer to apply the changes.

Once you complete the above steps, pinning or unpinning will be stopped on the Windows 11 Taskbar.

If you change your mind in the future and want to pin or unpin apps on the Windows 11 Taskbar, steer to the following registry key on the left side of Registry Editor:-

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

On the right-side pane, double-click on NoPinningToTaskbar and change its Value data to 0.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Windows 11 Taskbar provides easy access to frequently used applications and folders. Users can pin or unpin items to the Taskbar as per their preferences. However, if you want to restrict users from pinning or unpinning items, you can use either the Local Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor to make the necessary changes. By following the steps outlined in this gearupwindows article, you can easily enable or disable the option to unpin from the Taskbar in Windows 11. It ensures that the Taskbar icons remain consistent for all users.