Windows 7: Getting shortcuts to stick into taskbar?

The content menu for the programs in question (they do appear in the start menu) do not have "pin to taskbar. Interestingly when I check out the program's exe in its folder by right clicking, the content menu has "unpin from taskbar," but it is not in the taskbar...as far as I can tell???

Just a suggestion. You could use a toolbar instead. Any shortcut (programs, folders, URLs) can be put into a folder from which you can make a toolbar. Here is an example how I make use of the toolbar - even with folders within the toolbar folder. This is very handy and provides a lot more capacity and flexibility than the taskbar.

I have used Brinks Tutorial on how to pin the Recycle bin to the Task bar and just drag icons to it to pin them

Thanks everyone for your input, but as I've spent the day trying to set up this new computer with Windows 7 (I'm new to Windows 7), I'm getting a little fatigued and think it best to come back tomorrow to try some of your suggestions.

And BTW, I was wondering if your could also answer my questions in Link #11 and how to pin the Control Panel

Check my post Control panel is second icon from left

Figured one of my tutorials might be worth something here o.0
Taskbar - Separate Pinned Programs

Tutorial is about separating programs on the taskbar, but is a different way of pinning things (anything) to the taskbar.

Well. I used you tutorial, and after some fussing around, it worked. However, a few questions:
1. Am I correct in that after locking the taskbar, there is a little bigger space between the newly installed icon and the othr icons? Guess I can live with it.
2. How can I get the Control Panel, Restart and Shut Down onto the task bar?
3. The problematic program was Revo Uninstall, which when downloaded acted strangely. Although during the install, the targeted area to place the program was Program Files (x86), into which it was installed; but it was also installed into ....Start Menu/Programs. Any ideas why this happened and it this could be a reason for the difficulty in getting it into the taskbar?

<2. How can I get the Control Panel, Restart and Shut Down onto the task bar?>

To get Control Panel onto taskbar: Open C-Panel - right-click on CP icon on taskbar and choose 'Pin this program to taskbar'

I did as kenC did to get the control panel icon on my taskbar. For shutdown I created a shortcut with a target of "C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe /s /t 00" on my desktop, right clicked it and selected pin to taskbar. You can set the icon to the red square with the white circle in it too. There is a similar command for reboot so just make another shortcut for that. have a look at this: Shutdown & Restart Shortcuts and
http://www.webtechgeek.com/How-to-on...own-button.htm

Thanks KenC and Alphanumeric. I little early in the morning to impliment these approaches as I have to go fishing first. But, when I get back, they'll be plugged into my new computer's Windows 7 taskbar.

Fishing wasn't too bad here in sunny and hot SoFL; got 4 nice large mouth bass on the ol' fly rod. Anyway, thanks again for sharing your expert help. I've not got all the programs I routinely use on my taskbar - real neat and quick program execution.

The only program that had to be "custom" fit into the taskbar was Revo Uninstaller. It just would got in with any of straight forward methods. Had to use LilDomii's folder method. Intellectually still wondering why this program is so problematic.

Later on when I get thru tweaking, I may try the Quick Launch method suggested by Kucing13, if i find that I have many more programs to add. Right now, I think I have all that I need and the whole taskbar is just about used up.