How to pin the Microsoft Teams to the Windows start menu?

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User Question:
I’m constantly juggling multiple online collaboration applications for work, and Microsoft Teams is one I use more frequently. However, I waste precious time searching for it whenever I need to join a meeting or send a message. Is there a way to make Teams more accessible from my desktop or pinning the app to the Start menu, but I’m not sure how to do it. I am using Windows 11 by the way.

Adding the Teams icon to the Start menu

To add the Teams icon to the Start Task bar, proceed as following:

  1. Click the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen to open the Start menu.
  2. Type “Microsoft Teams” in the search bar at the bottom of the Start menu.
  3. In the search results, locate the Microsoft Teams app icon.
  4. Right-click on the Microsoft Teams app icon.
  5. From the context menu that appears, select “Pin to Start”.
  6. The Microsoft Teams tile will now appear in your Start menu.
  7. To reposition the Teams tile, click and drag it to your desired location within the Start menu.
  8. You Microsoft Teams shortcut will appear (the link name might be Microsoft Teams classic depending on the version you use).
  • Pinning apps to the Start menu enhances productivity by providing quick access to frequently used applications.
  • The Windows Start menu is designed for customization, allowing users to prioritize their most important apps.
  • If you are a heavy Teams user, you might as well see the icon in the Top Apps widget (right hand side of the pic above).

Can’t add shortcut to teams app / folder / channel ?

  1. If Teams doesn’t appear in search results: Verify Teams is installed correctly. If not, download it from the official Microsoft website.
  2. If Pin option unavailable: Restart your computer and attempt again. If the issue persists, run the Windows Troubleshooter for Start menu problems.
  3. Teams tile vanishes after pinning: This may be caused by a Windows update. Try unpinning and re-pinning the app.
  4. If you are unable to move Teams tile: Ensure your Start menu isn’t in tablet mode. Toggle this in Windows Settings under System > Tablet mode.