Policy
Pin Libraries or Search Connectors to the "Search again" links and the Start menu
Microsoft Windows
Policy overview
Key metadata and intent for this policy.
Supported OS tags: Windows10, Windows10RT, Windows11, Windows7, Windows8, Windows81, WindowsRT, WindowsRT81, WindowsServer2008, WindowsServer2012, WindowsServer2012R2, WindowsServer2016
This policy setting allows up to five Libraries or Search Connectors to be pinned to the "Search again" links and the Start menu links. The "Search again" links at the bottom of the Search Results view allow the user to reconduct a search but in a different location. To add a Library or Search Connector link, specify the path of the .Library-ms or .searchConnector-ms file in the "Location" text box (for example, "C:\sampleLibrary.Library-ms" for the Documents library, or "C:\sampleSearchConnector.searchConnector-ms" for a Search Connector). The pinned link will only work if this path is valid and the location contains the specified .Library-ms or .searchConnector-ms file. You can add up to five additional links to the "Search again" links at the bottom of results returned in File Explorer after a search is executed. These links will be shared between Internet search sites and Search Connectors/Libraries. Search Connector/Library links take precedence over Internet search links. The first several links will also be pinned to the Start menu. A total of four links can be included on the Start menu. The "See more results" link will be pinned first by default, unless it is disabled via Group Policy. The "Search the Internet" link is pinned second, if it is pinned via Group Policy (though this link is disabled by default). If a custom Internet search link is pinned using the "Custom Internet search provider" Group Policy, this link will be pinned third on the Start menu. The remaining link(s) will be shared between pinned Search Connectors/Libraries and pinned Internet/intranet search links. Search Connector/Library links take precedence over Internet/intranet search links. If you enable this policy setting, the specified Libraries or Search Connectors will appear in the "Search again" links and the Start menu links. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, no Libraries or Search Connectors will appear in the "Search again" links or the Start menu links.
Registry values
How enabled and disabled states update the registry.
| Scope | Registry location | Type | Enabled value | Disabled value | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| User | Path Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer Value name TryHarderPinnedLibrary | REG_DWORD | HKCU 1 | HKCU 0 |
Policy elements
Inputs and configuration options exposed by this policy.
| Scope | Element | Type | Registry mapping | Constraints & behavior | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| User | Location 1 ID Library0 | text | Path Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer Value name Library0 Type REG_SZ | None | |
| User | Location 2 ID Library1 | text | Path Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer Value name Library1 Type REG_SZ | None | |
| User | Location 3 ID Library2 | text | Path Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer Value name Library2 Type REG_SZ | None | |
| User | Location 4 ID Library3 | text | Path Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer Value name Library3 Type REG_SZ | None | |
| User | Location 5 ID Library4 | text | Path Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer Value name Library4 Type REG_SZ | None |