Microsoft Windows 10 gives users several choices when it comes to how and where to start their applications. Some people use the desktop exclusively and some swear by the Start Menu, while others, like me, prefer the pinned lists that hang off the icons on the Taskbar.
However, there is one small problem with the Taskbar pinned list in Windows 10–by default, there is a 12-slot limit.
Windows 7 allowed users to extend that number with a simple change to a configuration setting. But as a friend pointed out to me, that feature is currently missing in Windows 10 for reasons no one has been able to explain. The workaround involves editing the Windows Registry file.
Standard disclaimer: Incorrectly editing the Windows Registry file could break your computer. Create a Restore Point before making any changes.
Jump listItems
Figure A shows an example of the default jump list hanging off the Word icon in a typical Windows 10 Taskbar. Note that there are 26 copies of the example file, but only 12 are listed in the pinned section. This is despite the fact that I have actually pinned them all, which is why the Recent section is fully populated.
Figure A
To increase the number of pinned items displayed, we’ll have to change the maximum number of jump list items associated with a particular key in the Windows Registry file.
Press Windows key + R or right-click the Start Menu icon and navigate to the Run command to open the Run prompt (Figure B). Type regedit into the box and click OK.
Figure B
Navigate to this set of keys in the Windows Registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Look through the list in the right-hand pane until you find this DWORD: JumpListItems_Maximum
In my case, the JumpListItems_Maximum DWORD was not there, so I had to create it.
Right-click the JumpListItems_Maximum DWORD and select Modify. Click the Decimal radio button and change the number to a value that works for you. As you can see in Figure C, I selected 30.
Figure C
To complete the change, you may need to restart your computer. You should now be able to see the number of pinned items you specified (Figure D).
Figure D
Also read…
- Windows 10: The smart person’s guide
- How to personalize Windows 10
- Protect your data files with Windows 10’s enhanced File History tool
- How to access Safe Mode in Windows 10
Your thoughts
Do you have a theory on why the maximum number of jump list items setting was removed from the Control Panel in Windows 10? Share your speculations with fellow TechRepublic members.
