Windows 7: Moving Desktop Icons to the Taskbar

I just got a Dell XPS laptop, x64, and, so far, I have no real issues with Windows 7. I like a clean desktop and, on my XP machines, moved the desktop icons with ease. With the new operating system, I've done that, too, but some icon cannot be moved in the traditional way. Is there a way to move My Document, My Pictures, My Computer, etc., to the taskbar?

I apologize if this has been discussed. Many thanks for any assistance.

Mike

Hi! mikegc, welcome to W7F

Would this be what your looking for?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...ram-links.html

If you go to the bottom of the tutorial there are variations on the theme of pinning to the taskbar.

Happy Thanksgiving!

right click on taskbar and select toolbars -> my documents

repeat to get my computer on taskbar and then right click on desktop and select hide icons

hope that will help

I'd agree, except rather than hiding desktop icons as a whole (unless you'd rather no icons ever show on the desktop), just remove the My Document, My Pictures, My Computer, etc. shortcuts. A Guy

Thanks, everyone! I managed to get My Computer moved but still can't budge My Documents and My Pictures. I'll learn to live with it.

Mike

Right click taskbar. Click toolbars. Select desktop. This will appear next to notification items. Right click empty desktop. Select view. Uncheck "show desktop icons. To see desktop icons click arrow to right of desktop

Do you want to remove them from the desktop? Try this:

1. Right-click an unused part of the desktop, then click "Personalize"
2. Click "Change desktop icons"
3. Remove the check marks from the items in "Desktop Icons"
4. Click OK
5. Close the Personalization window

But as far as pinning individual icons for Computer, Documents and Pictures to t he taskbar, I don't think you can, not unless you're willing to enable the old-fashioned and antiquated Quick Launch Bar.

This is because Computer, Documents, Pictures, and indeed all the other personal User Folders are all controlled by Windows Explorer. Basically, if I pin "Computer" to the taskbar, then clicking that icon will activate the Explorer window (or open Explorer at Computer if it is not already open). If no Explorer windows are open, and I click "Pictures" on the start menu, then Windows Explorer will open to Pictures, and the pinned icon on the taskbar will activate.

Pinning happens on a per-application basis. Only one icon at at time perapplication is allowed to be pinned.

Yup, you're right. I found that and that's what I'm using now. Thanks for your help!

Mike

"But as far as pinning individual icons for Computer, Documents and Pictures to t he taskbar, I don't think you can, not unless you're willing to enable the old-fashioned and antiquated Quick Launch Bar.

This is because Computer, Documents, Pictures, and indeed all the other personal User Folders are all controlled by Windows Explorer. Basically, if I pin "Computer" to the taskbar, then clicking that icon will activate the Explorer window (or open Explorer at Computer if it is not already open). If no Explorer windows are open, and I click "Pictures" on the start menu, then Windows Explorer will open to Pictures, and the pinned icon on the taskbar will activate."
- Dzomlija


I can't believe this: I found a Windows article that told me how to my "Computer" to the toolbar and it works fine. My Pictures and My Document, though, are a different matter. Thank you for your assistance!!!!!

Mike

Try this:
1) Right click the taskbar, click "Toolbars", click "New toolbar...":


2) In the "New Toolbar - Choose a folder" window, click "Computer", then click "Select Folder":


3) Bingo, you have a "Computer" toolbar on your taskbar:


4) It work for Documents and Pictures also (and any other folder you may want). Here is the toolbar I created for my Pictures library:




I'm not entirely sure though if this is what you want, but it's the best solution there is without requiring the use of the quick launch bar. If you right-click on the taskbar, then uncheck "Lock the taskbar", you can then drag the toolbar title to make it more visible:


Right-click the toolbar title to get additional options, such as "Show Text" or "Show Title":