Quick Launch Toolbar

The Quick Launch Toolbar is a row of icons located at the bottom of your desktop screen that are shortcuts to your favorite programs. You can use this handy feature to open programs with a single click, much like the icons you may have on your desktop, without having to go through the Start menu. What I like about it is I can keep my application windows open and visible and still open another application because the icons are still visible.

How to Activate the Quick Launch Toolbar

• Right-click an empty space on your taskbar (the blue space to the right of the START button). This will display a small menu of choices.
• In the menu, if you see that the "Lock the Taskbar" item has a check next to it, you'll need to click on it to remove the checkmark and unlock the taskbar. The menu disappears.
• Right-click the Taskbar to display the menu once again. The checkmark next to "Lock the Taskbar" item should be gone. Move your cursor up to "Toolbars". This will display another menu.
• Slide your cursor over to the new menu and down to "Quick Launch". Click your left mouse button to activate the toolbar.
• You should then see the "Internet Explorer" icon and the "Show Desktop" icon appear next to the START button along with a divider which looks like two rows of pinholes. When you move your cursor over the divider, your cursor will change into arrows pointing left and right. By clicking and holding down your left mouse button while the arrows are visible, you can slide the divider left or right depending on how much room you need for your toolbar icons.
• To add an icon to the toolbar simply move your cursor over an icon either on your desktop or through START>All Programs. Once over the icon click and hold down your right mouse button and drag the icon down to the toolbar area. Most likely you'll see a black line across the width of the toolbar. Release your right mouse button and you'll see a small menu of choices: Copy Here, Move Here, and Cancel.
• If you want to remove an icon from your desktop and place it in the toolbar, choose "Move Here". In all other cases, choose "Copy Here". Or, you can choose "Cancel" if you change your mind.
• Since the Quick Launch bar shares space with the Taskbar you'll find that you have less space for your open applications on the Taskbar. However, by moving the divider up or down (Taskbar must be unlocked) you can create an extra row so that you can have a complete Taskbar along with the icon toolbar. Doing this will decrease the amount of desktop viewing space slightly. There's always a trade-off!

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