Windows 7: Taskbar Tweak

Rather than use a third party docking bar, I'm determined to use the new Windows 7 taskbar. However, I've found changing the icons; pinning and unpinning programs, folders, and files; and positioning the icons on the taskbar to be hit or miss.

I've found a simple but effective way to do all three using one technique. (It's very possible that someone has already done this. If so I apologize for re-posting it.)

1) Create a new folder on the Desktop. Call it "Taskbar Folder." (You can create the folder anywhere actually, but I put it on the desktop for ease of access for steps (2) and (3), and because I hide all desktop icons anyhow.)

2) Create normal shortcuts of all the programs, folders, and files that you would like to have on your Taskbar. (You can even make one for the Trash Bin.)

3) Put the shortcuts into the "Taskbar Folder" you just created.

4) Change the icons of the shortcuts to whatever you'd like. (You have to use .ico files.)

5) Right click on the Taskbar > (left click) Toolbars > New Toolbar and browse to the "Taskbar Folder" on your desktop.



6) All the shortcuts in the "Taskbar Folder" should appear on your Taskbar. Right click and un-check "Show Text" and "Show Title."

7) Slide this new toolbar anywhere you want on the Taskbar. (Taskbar must be unlocked.)

Unfortunately, the icons are pretty small (compared to typical dock icons). The only way to make them large (see attached image) is to increase the size of everything in Personalize > Display. Someone needs to make a hack that allows one to make the Taskbar large independent of everything else.

Hi Soupie,

Welcome to 7 Forums.

If you do it that way, you lose all the functionality of the 'pinned icons'. Here is a better way to center the icons and retain the functionality. Taskbar Buttons

Gary

Thanks for the welcome.

Hm, I'm not really sure which function is lost, but to be honest I'm just looking to use the taskbar as a dock. So, the icons really just act as "links" to all my programs, folders, and files.

I think there are a couple advantages to going the "shortcut" and "New Toolbar" route. For one thing, the icons are spaced tighter together, which I like. I didn't like how the icons were spaced so far apart on the regular taskbar.

Also, pinning programs, folders, and files, as well as changing the icons, needed to be done differently for different things. With the above method, you do it all the same way, and it's easy to change the icons or add more to the "taskbar folder" on the desktop (they show up automatically on the taskbar).

And while it's not a big deal, you don't have to create an empty toolbar to center it.

Finally, the regular taskbar still works, so when you have a program or two open, they still show up over to the left. Pretty cool.

You lose functionality. For example, if I right-click Chrome I can chose to open a new window or an Incognito window. If I right click steam I can see recently played games and change my status. Same with MSN messenger.

To each his own.

Ah, I see. Definitely a big drawback to this technique. However, for those more interested in form over function, an option.