How to Increase Jump List Items Limit in Windows

This guide explains how to increase the number of pinned items in the jump list for taskbar icons in Windows 10 or 11 (default limit is 13 in Windows 11) by modifying the Windows Registry.

Prerequisites

  • Windows 10 or 11
  • Administrator privileges
  • Basic knowledge of the Windows Registry

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Open Registry Editor

    Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes.

  2. Navigate to the Registry Key

    In the Registry Editor, go to:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

  3. Create or Modify the DWORD Value

    In the right pane, look for a DWORD value named JumpListItems_Maximum.

    • If it doesn’t exist, right-click in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it JumpListItems_Maximum.
    • If it exists, proceed to the next step.
  4. Set the Value

    Double-click JumpListItems_Maximum to modify it. Select Decimal as the base, enter the desired number of items (e.g., 20 for 20 items), and click OK.

  5. Apply the Changes

    The change may take effect immediately. If not, try one of the following:

    • Restart Windows Explorer: Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find Windows Explorer, right-click, and select Restart.
    • Log out and log back in, or restart your computer.
  6. Verify the Change

    Right-click a pinned taskbar icon to check the jump list. Pin additional items to confirm the new limit is applied.

Warnings

Backup the Registry: Before making changes, back up the registry or create a system restore point. Incorrect registry edits can cause system instability.

Administrator Privileges: Ensure you run Registry Editor as an administrator, as changes may not apply otherwise.

Additional Notes

Global Setting: The JumpListItems_Maximum setting applies to all jump lists and cannot be customized for specific applications.

Reasonable Limit: Setting a very high number (e.g., 200) may cause display issues or scrolling problems in the jump list. A value between 15–25 is recommended.

Reset to Default: To revert to the default limit, delete the JumpListItems_Maximum DWORD or set its value to 0.

Alternative Tool: If you prefer not to edit the registry manually, use a tool like Winaero Tweaker to adjust the jump list item limit via a user-friendly interface.

Troubleshooting

If the jump list limit doesn’t change:

  • Ensure you’re editing the correct registry key and that the value is set in Decimal format.
  • Verify you have administrator privileges.
  • Restart Windows Explorer or your computer.
  • Check for Windows updates, as some builds may affect registry settings.

For further assistance, consult Microsoft’s official documentation or community forums like Super User.