Remove a pinned folder in the Start Menu

Temporarily drag another pinned app into the empty folder, then open the folder and drag that app back into the main Pinned area; Windows should dissolve the folder when it returns to one remaining pin or fewer.

1. Open Start.
2. Drag any existing pinned app onto the empty folder.
3. Open the folder.
4. Drag every visible app out of it and drop each one elsewhere in Pinned.
5. When only one pin remains, Windows 11 removes the Start folder automatically; the remaining app appears as a normal pin. This uses Windows 11’s documented folder-removal behavior and avoids the unavailable right-click command.^1^

If the folder remains empty

Restart the Start interface and repeat the drag-in/drag-out sequence:

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Find Windows Explorer under Processes.
3. Right-click it and select Restart. The taskbar and desktop may disappear briefly.
4. Reopen Start and repeat the steps above.

Alternatively, sign out and back in or restart the PC before trying again.^2^

Do not delete similarly named folders from the Start Menu Programs directories: those control entries under All, while this item is a pin group in the Pinned section.

References

1. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/personalization/customize-the-windows-start-menu#rearrange-and-group-the-pins)
2. Customize the Windows Start Menu | Microsoft Support