Right-click on the Taskbar icon and further click on ‘Pin to Taskbar’ That’s all you have to do to permanently base your File Explorer icon on the Windows 11 Taskbar.

You should see File Explorer in the list of search results. Right-click it, then choose Pin to taskbar. Presto! When you return to the Desktop, you'll see your beloved File Explorer icon.

Today I thought it might be a good idea to give a short refresher on how to pin stuff to the taskbar -- which might avoid the need for an add-on like Piles to begin with.