How to Create a Folder in Start Menu on Windows 11

This guide shows you how to group your apps into folders right inside the Windows 11 Start menu, turning a long list of tiles into a tidy, organized layout. You don’t need any special tools or settings—just drag and drop with your mouse or trackpad. The steps below work on the current public version of Windows 11 (23H2 and later).

What You’ll Need

• A PC running Windows 11 with the Start menu enabled (not a stripped-down enterprise or kiosk mode).
• A mouse, trackpad, or touchscreen—you’ll be dragging icons.
• At least two apps pinned to the Start menu (you can pin more later).

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Start menu by clicking the Windows icon on the taskbar or pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Look at the pinned apps area—this is the grid of icons in the upper part of the Start menu, above the “Recommended” section. If you don’t see any pinned apps, click “All apps” in the top-right corner, right-click an app, and choose “Pin to Start” first.
3. Click and hold the first app icon you want in the folder. Keep the mouse button pressed (or keep your finger on the icon if using touch).
4. Drag that icon on top of a second app icon. You’ll see a small outline or highlight appear around the second icon, indicating it’s ready to accept the drop.
5. Release the mouse button (or lift your finger). The two icons will merge into a small box with both app icons visible inside it. That’s your new folder.
6. Name the folder—it’s usually given a generic name like “Folder”. Click directly on the folder’s name text (it’s right below the icons) and type a custom name, then press Enter. For example, “Productivity” or “Games”.
7. Add more apps to the folder by dragging any other pinned icon onto the folder’s box. The folder will automatically expand to show its contents.
8. Open the folder by clicking it once. The apps inside will appear in a small pop-out panel. Click any app to launch it.
9. Remove an app from the folder by opening the folder, then dragging the app icon out onto the Start menu’s empty space. It will become a standalone pinned tile again.
10. Delete the folder entirely by dragging all apps out of it. When the last app is removed, the folder disappears automatically.

Common Mistakes

• Dragging too fast—if you move the cursor quickly, Windows may interpret it as a click rather than a drag. Move slowly and deliberately.
• Dropping on the wrong spot—you must drop the icon directly on top of another icon, not just anywhere in the Start menu. Look for the highlight.
• Using the wrong app area—folders only work in the pinned apps section. You cannot create folders in the “Recommended” or “All apps” lists.
• Expecting a right-click option—Windows 11 doesn’t offer a “New folder” button in the Start menu. It’s drag-and-drop only.
• Naming too late—if you click elsewhere before naming, the folder keeps the default name. You can rename it later by clicking the name text again.

Tips

• Use folders for categories—group by purpose (work, entertainment, utilities) rather than alphabetically, so you can find apps faster.
• Rearrange folders—drag the entire folder box to a new position in the pinned grid, just like a single icon.
• Pin more apps first—if you only have two or three pinned apps, pin a few more from “All apps” before making folders, so you have enough to group.
• Keyboard trick—you can also use the keyboard: press Windows to open Start, use arrow keys to select an app, press Shift+F10 (or the context menu key) to open the right-click menu, but note that drag-and-drop still requires a mouse or touch.
• Keep it small—a folder with 15+ apps becomes unwieldy. Consider splitting into two folders if it gets crowded.

Troubleshooting

• Nothing happens when I drag—Make sure you’re dragging from the pinned area, not from “All apps”. Also check that your mouse isn’t double-clicking (which opens the app instead of starting a drag). Try dragging more slowly.
• The folder won’t accept new apps—If the folder is full (it shows a scrollbar), drag the new app to the bottom edge of the folder and hold for a second, then release. If that fails, remove one app first, then add the new one.
• The folder name won’t change—Click the name text below the folder icons, not the icons themselves. If the text doesn’t become editable, click once on the folder to open it, then click the name at the top of the pop-out panel.
• Apps keep jumping back—If an app returns to its original position after you drop it, you may have released over a gap. Drop it directly on the target icon and wait for the highlight before releasing.
• Start menu is unresponsive—Restart Windows Explorer: press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, find “Windows Explorer” in the list, right-click it, and choose “Restart”. This refreshes the Start menu without rebooting.
• Folders don’t appear after an update—Some Windows updates reset Start menu layouts. If your folders vanish, re-create them; they should stay until the next major update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a folder in the Start menu without dragging?

No. Windows 11 only supports creating folders via drag-and-drop. There’s no right-click “New folder” option or keyboard shortcut.

Can I put a folder inside another folder?

No. Folders cannot be nested. You can only have one level of folders in the Start menu.

Will my folders sync across devices?

If you sign in with the same Microsoft account and have sync enabled for Windows settings, your Start menu layout (including folders) may sync between PCs. This isn’t guaranteed for all configurations, and it depends on your sync settings.

How do I delete a folder without removing the apps?

Drag every app out of the folder one by one. When the last app is removed, the folder disappears. The apps remain pinned as individual tiles.

Can I rename a folder after creating it?

Yes. Click the folder to open it, then click the name at the top of the pop-out panel. Type a new name and press Enter.

Do folders work in the “All apps” list?

No. Folders only work in the pinned apps section. The “All apps” list is alphabetical and cannot be grouped.

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