How to Pin Internet Explorer Shortcuts to the Windows Taskbar (with Windows 8.1)

Last Updated: June 4, 2020

Ever since Windows 7, it's been easy to pin Internet Explorer shortcuts. However, when Windows 8.1 came out in October 2013, they complicated this process a bit. Learn the newest processes to pinning an Internet Explorer shortcut to the taskbar, starting at Step 1 in Method 1 below.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Dragging Icon Directly to Taskbar

1
Use the Internet Explorer program on your Windows desktop. Don't use the app that comes with your computer that is native to Windows 8.1.
2
Browse to the site you'd like to pin to the taskbar.

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3
Look for the icon to the left of the address in the URL box/address bar.
4
Click and drag this icon into your taskbar.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Slightly More Complicated Through the Former Featured Method

1
Use the Internet Explorer program on your Windows desktop. Don't use the app that comes with your computer that is native to Windows 8.1.
2
Browse to the site you'd like to pin to the taskbar.
3
Click the Gears button in the top right corner of the screen just below the x button that will close the screen and click "Add site to Apps".
4
Look down at your Windows Taskbar, a few seconds later. The page should have unhooked itself from the main Internet explorer E icon from your Windows taskbar and opened itself up as a temporary pin on your taskbar.
5
Right click the item in the list and select "Pin to Taskbar".