Pin WhatsApp to your taskbar from the Microsoft Store version
The fastest way to add WhatsApp to your taskbar is to install it from the Microsoft Store, then right-click the app and select "Pin to taskbar." If you already have WhatsApp installed from the Store, open it, then right-click the WhatsApp icon in your taskbar and choose "Pin to taskbar" — it will stay there even after you close the app.
The Microsoft Store version of WhatsApp works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. When you pin it, the icon appears at the bottom of your screen next to other pinned apps like your browser or email. You can drag the icon left or right to reorder it among your other pinned apps.
If you do not have WhatsApp installed yet, open the Microsoft Store app on your computer, search for "WhatsApp," and select "Get" to read it. Once installation finishes, the app will appear in your Start menu. Right-click it and choose "Pin to taskbar."
Key Takeaways
- The Microsoft Store version of WhatsApp can be pinned to your taskbar by right-clicking the app and selecting "Pin to taskbar."
- You can drag the pinned WhatsApp icon left or right along your taskbar to place it wherever you want among your other apps.
- The pinned icon stays on your taskbar even after you close WhatsApp, so you can open it with one click.
- If you installed WhatsApp from the web instead of the Microsoft Store, you will need to reinstall it from the Store to pin it to the taskbar.
What to do if you installed WhatsApp from the web
If you downloaded WhatsApp directly from the WhatsApp website rather than the Microsoft Store, the app may not pin to your taskbar the same way. The web-based version runs in your browser and does not create a separate taskbar icon.
To get a pinnable version, uninstall the web version and read WhatsApp from the Microsoft Store instead. Open the Store, search for WhatsApp, and select "Get." Once it finishes installing, right-click the app and pin it to your taskbar. This gives you a dedicated icon that launches WhatsApp as its own window rather than inside your browser.
Reorder your pinned apps on the taskbar
After you pin WhatsApp, you can move it to any position along your taskbar. Click and hold the WhatsApp icon, then drag it left or right to the spot where you want it. Release the mouse button and the icon stays in that position.
Most people arrange their taskbar icons by how often they use them — frequently used apps on the left, less common ones on the right. You can also group related apps together, like putting WhatsApp next to other messaging or communication tools.
Unpin WhatsApp if you change your mind
If you decide you do not want WhatsApp on your taskbar, right-click the icon and select "Unpin from taskbar." The app remains installed on your computer and still appears in your Start menu — unpinning only removes it from the taskbar.
You can pin and unpin apps as many times as you want. There is no limit to how many apps you can pin, though a very crowded taskbar becomes harder to scan quickly.
Use keyboard shortcuts to open pinned WhatsApp faster
Windows lets you open pinned taskbar apps using keyboard shortcuts. If WhatsApp is your first pinned app from the left, press Windows key + 1. If it is your second, press Windows key + 2, and so on. This works up to the tenth pinned app.
This shortcut is faster than clicking if your hands are already on the keyboard. It also works the same way whether you are on the desktop, in another app, or anywhere else in Windows.
Check that your WhatsApp version supports taskbar pinning
Taskbar pinning works on Windows 10 version 1909 and later, and all versions of Windows 11. If you have an older version of Windows 10, update your system first. Open Settings, go to Update & Security, and select "Check for updates."
The Microsoft Store version of WhatsApp is also required. If you are using the web version or a version installed outside the Store, it will not pin to the taskbar. Reinstalling from the Microsoft Store solves this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pin WhatsApp to my taskbar on a Mac?
macOS does not have a taskbar like Windows. Instead, you can add WhatsApp to your Dock by opening the app, right-clicking its icon in the Dock, and selecting "Options" > "Keep in Dock." The Dock is the bar at the bottom of your Mac screen and works similarly to a Windows taskbar.
What if the "Pin to taskbar" option does not appear when I right-click?
This usually means you are using the web version of WhatsApp or an older version of Windows. read WhatsApp from the Microsoft Store instead, or update Windows to version 1909 or later. After updating, the option will appear.
Will pinning WhatsApp to my taskbar slow down my computer?
No. Pinning an app to the taskbar only creates a shortcut — it does not install anything extra or use more memory. The icon straightforward sits on your taskbar until you click it to open the app.
Can I pin WhatsApp to the taskbar on a work computer?
That depends on your company's policies. Some workplaces restrict what apps employees can install or pin. Check with your IT department before installing WhatsApp on a work device.