Create a new toolbar in Windows - Video Tip

Submitted by Rick on December 29, 2006 - 11:27pm.

Desktop icons are great to access commonly used programs and files, but I have found an even faster way to access those commonly used programs and keep my desktop a little cleaner at the same time.

After following the outlined steps below, you will have an orderly toolbar that contains easy one-click access to your favorite programs or files:

  1. RIGHT Click on your Taskbar (next to the Start button)

  2. Click Toolbars

  3. Click Quick Launch (or make sure there is already a check mark there)

  4. A new toolbar will appear on your Taskbar with some icons already on it.

  5. Now you can drag icons of your favorite programs from your Desktop or the Programs menu to the toolbar that is sitting right next to your “Start” button. HINT: Drag the icons with your RIGHT mouse button so that you can copy the icon instead of move it

  6. You won’t immediately see all the icons that you have placed here, but don’t despair

  7. Now, position your mouse over the little ‘raised bar’ that is between this toolbar and your start button (your cursor should now look like a double arrow), then click and drag this tool bar towards your desktop and it will move the toolbar off of the taskbar to make its own separate toolbar.

  8. I suggest now dragging the toolbar to either side or top of your screen to “dock” it and have it out of the way

  9. One last step, RIGHT click on a blank part of the new toolbar and click on the “always on top” option (if it isn’t already checked)

  10. To delete items from your new toolbar, RIGHT click on the icon and then click on delete from the menu.

  11. Add new items by simply dragging them to the toolbar.

Now you can see all of your commonly used files and programs at a glance and just click on them once to access them…pretty handy!

Watch the video below (it may take a few moments to load on slower connections).