Easy access to your favourite
programs with the Quick Launch toolbar
As the last of our "single mouse click" series, we are
going to look at the Quick Launch toolbar provided by Windows. The Quick Launch
toolbar lets you run your favourite programs with a single mouse click.
First of
all, you need to display the toolbar if it is not visible. If you have a
group of small icons immediately next to the Start button, the toolbar is
already visible and you can move on to the next step. Otherwise,
right-click on an empty area of the Taskbar, select Toolbars and click on Quick
Launch.
Secondly,
you will likely want to change the size of the toolbar so make sure it is
unlocked. Right-click on an empty part of the Taskbar
and look for the Lock the Toolbar command on the shortcut menu. If
it has a check mark next to it, click on the command. Otherwise click
away from the menu to close it.
Thirdly,
have a look at what's already on the toolbar and delete the icons you do not
want. As you point to each icon, its name is displayed. To delete an
icon, right-click on it and select delete. Then click on OK. Note that
these icons are only pointers to the programs, so deleting them does not affect
the program itself (which will still be available through the Programs menu).
Lastly, add
icons for your favourite programs. From the Programs
menu or Desktop, RIGHT-DRAG the program to the Quick Launch toolbar.
You will know you have dragged it to the right place when you see a black
vertical line on the toolbar. Release the mouse button then select Copy
here. If you (left) drag the program to the toolbar, Windows will move it
and it will no longer be in its original location on Programs or the Desktop.
If after
adding a program to the toolbar you see a little double chevron, the toolbar is
not wide enough to show all the icons on it. To the right of the double
chevron you'll see a vertical dotted line. Drag this to the right until
the chevrons disappear.
Note that
the Show Desktop icon on the toolbar minimizes all open windows. This is
handy if you want to see the Desktop. Click on Show Desktop again to
restore all the windows.
So there
you have it: your favourite programs a single mouse click away.
Interested
in Microsoft
Windows Training in Vancouver?