How to Set Up and Use Windows Quick Launch Toolbar

The Quick Launch toolbar in Windows provides users with quick access to frequently used programs and shortcuts. It resides on the taskbar, allowing for convenient application launch with just a single click. In this tutorial, you will learn how to set up the Quick Launch toolbar in Windows and effectively use it.

Setting Up the Quick Launch Toolbar

Follow these steps to set up the Quick Launch toolbar on your Windows computer:

1. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar.

2. Hover over "Toolbars" in the context menu.

3. Click on "New Toolbar" from the sub-menu.

4. In the "New Toolbar - Choose a folder" window, paste the following path into the location field:

   %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
   

   

5. Press Enter on your keyboard, or click the "Select Folder" button.

That's it! The Quick Launch toolbar should now appear on the right side of your taskbar, adjacent to the system tray.

Using the Quick Launch Toolbar

Now that you have set up the Quick Launch toolbar, let's explore how to effectively utilize it:

Adding Programs and Shortcuts

1. Locate the program or shortcut you want to add to the Quick Launch toolbar.
2. Right-click on it.
3. In the context menu, hover over "More" and click on "Pin to Quick Launch."

The program or shortcut icon should now appear in the Quick Launch toolbar.

Rearranging Icons

To rearrange the icons in the Quick Launch toolbar, simply click and drag them to the desired position. Release the mouse button to drop the icon into place.

Removing Icons

To remove an icon from the Quick Launch toolbar:

1. Right-click on the icon you want to remove.
2. In the context menu, hover over "More" and click on "Unpin from Quick Launch."

The icon will be removed from the toolbar.

Expanding the Quick Launch Toolbar

If the Quick Launch toolbar gets crowded due to multiple icons, you can expand it to reveal the names of the icons. Here's how:

1. Right-click on an empty space in the Quick Launch toolbar.
2. Uncheck the "Show Text" option to hide the text labels for icons. Check the option to display text labels again.

Customizing the Quick Launch Toolbar

If you wish to customize the appearance or behavior of the Quick Launch toolbar, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on an empty space in the Quick Launch toolbar.
2. In the context menu, click on "Toolbars" to access customization options.

From this menu, you can toggle settings such as showing the title, adjusting the toolbar size, and positioning the toolbar.

Conclusion

You have successfully set up and learned how to use the Quick Launch toolbar in Windows. This powerful feature allows for easy access to your favorite programs and shortcuts directly from the taskbar. Customize it to suit your preferences and enhance your productivity.