Fix Pinned Jump List Items Stuck - Windows 7
Resolving Persistent Jump List Items in Windows 7
Windows 7 introduced Jump Lists, a convenient feature accessible by right-clicking taskbar icons. However, these lists can sometimes exhibit a frustrating issue: items becoming stuck and refusing to be removed. This problem can occur, and fortunately, a solution exists.
While not ideal, the resolution involves clearing the cached Jump List data, effectively removing all pinned items. It’s important to note that this primarily affects Windows Explorer, though other applications may also be impacted.
The Issue of Unremovable Items
The problem often arises when pinning a folder located on a mapped network drive or an external USB drive. Subsequently disconnecting the drive leaves the pinned item stubbornly present. Attempts to unpin the item prove futile, leading to a persistent and irritating display.
This can be quite bothersome for users who prefer a clean and organized taskbar.
Addressing the Problem: Clearing the Cache
To rectify this, the file containing the cached pinned items must be deleted. The location of these files can be accessed by navigating to the following path in Windows Explorer:
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations
These files are not readily human-readable, but their purpose can be inferred by opening them in Notepad. Each file generally corresponds to a specific application.
Identifying the Problematic File
The most effective approach is to search these files for the text associated with the stuck pinned item. This can be accomplished using the command prompt with the following command, substituting "Pinned Item" with the exact name of the troublesome entry:
find /C "Pinned Item" %appdata%\microsoft\windows\recent\automaticdestinations\*
For instance, if the stuck item is named "Season 2", executing this command will reveal a single result with a value of "1", while others show "0". This identifies the file containing the search string, allowing for its deletion – or relocation as a backup.
Specifically Fixing Windows Explorer Jump Lists
Testing has shown that Windows Explorer consistently utilizes the same filename for storing pinned and recent items: 1B4DD67F29CB1962.AUTOMATICDESTINATIONS-MS. Therefore, the following command can be used to clear all pinned and recent items specifically for Windows Explorer:
del %appdata%\microsoft\windows\recent\automaticdestinations\1B4DD67F29CB1962.AUTOMATICDESTINATIONS-MS
If this command doesn't resolve the issue, a manual search through the files, as described previously, is necessary. Alternatively, all files within the directory can be deleted, though creating a backup beforehand is strongly recommended.
Following this process, the Windows Explorer Jump List will be reset to a blank state, successfully removing the stuck item and restoring functionality.
