Microsoft

Get the Quick Launch Bar back in Windows 7

By // June 13, 2012, 5:35 PM PST // markwkaelin

Image 1 of 8

  • Taskbar, yes - Quick Launch Bar, no

    I like Microsoft Windows 7 and I like the Windows 7 Taskbar interface. However, judging by the cacophony of voices in the Windows Blog there is still great a great deal of affection for the Windows XP Quick Launch Bar interface. In fact, you can almost guarantee that someone will call for a return of the Quick Launch Bar at least once in the discussion forum whenever the Windows 7 interface is the topic. Therefore, I offer this How do I explanation of how to get this feature back.

    Now, don't get me wrong. I like the Quick Launch Bar and still use it on all of the Windows XP machines I interact with - my workstation where I am writing this blog post for example. But I also like the Taskbar of Windows 7 and find it performs the same function as the Quick Launch Bar - at least as far as my computing habits go. But a vocal minority feels differently, so here is how to get Quick Launch back.

    Quick Launch Bar resurrected
    The Windows 7 desktop of one of my test machines. Notice that there is a Taskbar, but not Quick Launch Bar.

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download.

  • Create a new toolbar

    Right-click on an empty part of the Taskbar to get the context menu shown. Unlock the Taskbar if it is locked and then navigate to the Toolbars | New toolbar menu item.

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Type the destination path

    The New Toolbar - Create a folder dialog box will be the next window you see. Click into the destination bar and type this location exactly and hit the [Enter] key:
    %appdata%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Notice the Path

    When you hit the [Enter] key, you should see a path similar to the one shown. Click the Select Folder button to complete the process.

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Quick Launch Bar

    Now your Windows 7 Desktop should have a Quick Launch Bar. However, it may need a little tweaking depending on your tastes.

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Tweak the Quick Launch Bar

    I like icon only Quick Launch bars, so I'd recommend right-clicking the Quick Launch bar and turning off the Show Text and Show Title settings and changing the Icon size to large.

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Both bars

    The Windows 7 Desktop shown has both a Taskbar and a Quick Launch Bar.

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • The Quick Launch is back

    Taking a closer look you can see that the Quick Launch bar on this test machine is automatically populated with quick launch icons for Outlook 2010, Internet Explorer, Show Desktop, and Switch Between Windows, but you can drag and drop any shortcut you want to you newly rediscovered Quick Launch Bar that you want.

    Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

Taskbar, yes - Quick Launch Bar, no

I like Microsoft Windows 7 and I like the Windows 7 Taskbar interface. However, judging by the cacophony of voices in the Windows Blog there is still great a great deal of affection for the Windows XP Quick Launch Bar interface. In fact, you can almost guarantee that someone will call for a return of the Quick Launch Bar at least once in the discussion forum whenever the Windows 7 interface is the topic. Therefore, I offer this How do I explanation of how to get this feature back.

Now, don't get me wrong. I like the Quick Launch Bar and still use it on all of the Windows XP machines I interact with - my workstation where I am writing this blog post for example. But I also like the Taskbar of Windows 7 and find it performs the same function as the Quick Launch Bar - at least as far as my computing habits go. But a vocal minority feels differently, so here is how to get Quick Launch back.

Quick Launch Bar resurrected
The Windows 7 desktop of one of my test machines. Notice that there is a Taskbar, but not Quick Launch Bar.

Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download.

Related Topics:

Microsoft Enterprise Software Software Collaboration Mobility Cloud Hardware

By Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.