Bring the quick launch bar in Windows 7

If you have been using Windows 7 you may have noticed that the quick launch bar is missing.

The quick launch bar was available in Vista, XP, and Windows 2000.

Here it is a shot of it under Windows XP:

There is probably a good reason for them to remove it. With the complete redesign of the explorer interface, there are probably better ways of accomplishing the same thing.

I am stuck in my ways, and I like the quick launch. I found a way to get it back in Windows 7.

Right click on the task bar. Go to toolbars, and then click on new toolbar:

It will popup a folder selection box. The folder you select will become the source for your quick launch. In my case, I created a folder under my user profile called “Quick Launch”:

Now…we need to make some changes. First unlock the task bar by right clicking it and unchecking that option:

Then right click on the new tool bar and uncheck show text, and show title:

Now, you have a quick launch. Move it over to the left (You can since you unlocked the task bar) Just drop shortcuts into the folder you selected, and they will show up:

Lock the task bar again, and you have a quick launch bar in Windows 7.

Like this article? Then sign up for my newsletter to get free tips and software sent right to your inbox once a week. Like you, I hate spam – I will never spam, or sell your email address.