Computer - Pin to Taskbar

How to Pin Computer to the Windows 7 Taskbar​

   Information

This will show you how to pin Computer to the Windows 7 taskbar as a separate icon instead of it being pinned as a Jump list item in the default pinned Window Explorer taskbar icon.

   Note

When you have both the default Windows Explorer icon to the left and this Computer icon to the right of it, then each time you click on the Computer icon on the taskbar it will open another separate new window of Computer. Clicking on the Windows Explorer icon will only open the one window instance.

   Warning

To avoid issues with other pinned "explorer" type shortcuts from displaying their opened windows in the thumbnail previews of whatever pinned "explorer" type shortcut is on the farthest left of the taskbar, be sure that the default pinned Windows Explorer taskbar icon is dragged to the left of this pinned Computer icon on the taskbar, and that any other pinned "explorer" type icon is dragged to the right of this Computer icon.

EXAMPLE: Computer Unpinned and Pinned from the Taskbar

EXAMPLE: Computer window

OPTION ONE

To Download the "Computer" Shortcut

1. If you have not already, then uncheck the default Computer shortcut from the Desktop Icon Settings window.

2. Click on the Download button below to download the Computer.zip file below.

Download


3. Click on Save, and save the .zip file to the desktop.

4. Open the .zip file and extract the Computer shortcut to the desktop.

5. Right click on the Computer shortcut and click on Properties, General tab, and the Unblock button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If the unblock button is not there, then the shortcut is already set to be unblocked. Continue on to step 6.

6. Drag the Computer shortcut onto the taskbar until you see the Pin to Taskbar pop-up and drop it. (see screenshot below)

7. Computer is now pinned to the taskbar. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you ever wish to remove the pinned Computer icon from the taskbar, right click on it and click on Unpin this program from the Taskbar.

8. When done, you can delete the downloaded Computer shortcut and .zip files on the desktop if you like.

OPTION TWO

To Manually Create the "Computer" Shortcut

1. If you have not already, then uncheck the default Computer shortcut from the Desktop Icon Settings window.

2. Right click on a empty space on the desktop and click on New and Shortcut.

3. Copy and past either location below into the location area and click on the Next button. (see screenshot below)
explorer.exe ,0

OR

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe shell:MyComputerFolder

OR

%windir%\explorer.exe shell:MyComputerFolder

OR

%windir%\explorer.exe /e,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

4. For the name, type Computer and click on the Finish button. (see screenshot below)

5. Right click on the new Computer shortcut on the desktop and click on Properties.

6. Under the Shortcut tab, click on the Change Icon button. (see screenshot below)

7. In the "Look for icons..." line, copy and paste the path below and press enter. (see screenshot below)
%SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll

8. Select the Computer icon and click on OK. (see screenshot above)

9. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)

10. Drag the new Computer shortcut onto the taskbar until you see the Pin to Taskbar pop-up and drop it. (see screenshot below)

11. Computer is now pinned to the taskbar. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you ever wish to remove the pinned Computer icon from the taskbar, right click on it and click on Unpin this program from the Taskbar.

12. You can now delete the Computer shortcut on the desktop.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Pin or Unpin a Program to the Windows 7 Taskbar
• How to Enable or Disable Windows 7 Taskbar Pinned Programs
• How to Add or Remove a Default Desktop Icon in Windows 7
• How to Pin the Recycle Bin to the Windows 7 Taskbar
• How to Pin the Control Panel to the Windows 7 Taskbar
• How to Change the Windows 7 Pinned Windows Explorer Taskbar Icon Open To Target
• How to Pin Your User Files Folder to the Windows 7 Taskbar
• How to Add or Remove Computer from the Windows 7 Navigation Pane
• How to Add or Remove "Computer" from Desktop Context Menu

 

[KarlLabrada]

Hey Shawn.
I like to be able to see how many windows I have open and what they are at a glance, so the always combine thing buggs me a little, but thatnks for the tip.

Kookster, I saw your post after i submitted mine, but havnt had a chance to try it yet, but ill definatly give it a shot. thanks

 

[lordvj]

Thanks mate , but doing so will create another explorer.exe process which is unnecessary

Here’s a way to link my computer directly and much faster

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2863-windows-explorer-taskbar-icon-change-open-target.html

OR

1] Create a shortcut to My Computer on the desktop . Just drag it from the start menu to the desktop
2] Create a new text document. Change its filename and extension to “My Computer.exe”
3] Pin this My Computer.exe to the taskbar
4] Now Open “C:\Users\%User%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar”
5]Replace the shortcut My Computer [ the one linked to the .exe ] with the one on your desktop.
6] Click on the pinned item on the desktop .opening it will not create an extra explorer.exe process and it opens a tad bit faster too

 

[IownAmoneyPit]

Thanks Shawn I can't believe I missed this one. I prefer using the My Computer shortcut over the Windows Explorer shortcut because I do not use Libraries and had previously removed Libraries Folder from navigation pane but the Icons were still showing up to the right of the navigation pane even after un-ticking & unindexing folders.

The Windows Explorer Taskbar Icon - Change Open To Target tutorial was also usful for changing the target of the windows explorer icon under All Programs/Accessories/Windows Explorer

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome IownAmoneyPit.

 

[cbeer]

icons change when both "my computer" and "my documents" pinned

thanks for this advice and the warning re issues with other pinned "explorer" type shortcuts.

i've tried to follow the instructions exactly (ie "default pinned Windows Explorer taskbar icon is dragged to the right of this pinned Computer icon on the taskbar, and that any other pinned "explorer" type icon is dragged to the right of this Computer icon" - - - i have put "computer" at the left, then "my documents", then "explorer") but am still finding that when i pin both "computer" and "documents" to the taskbar, the leftmost (computer) icon changes to preview documents when they are opened.

"computer" is set to to %windir%\explorer.exe shell:MyComputerFolder
"my documents" is %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /N,::{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}
"explorer" is %windir%\explorer.exe

in my case "my documents" is actually "H:\My Documents" (synchronised with a company network) but that can only be pinned to "computer"

i am not sure if any of these factors are the cause of the problem

is there a way to avoid this behaviour?

thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello Cbeer, and welcome to Seven Forums.

This would be normal. All explorer type shortcuts that open Windows Explorer or use the explorer.exe command, will have their window open with the explorer type shortcut that is the furthest left on the taskbar.

 

[Tanger727]

Explorer.exe not quitting

While all these tutorials are great, the warning about addition explorer.exe process is not exactly complete. In my case, the additional instances of explorer.exe DO NOT terminate after using the shortcuts. (and yes, setting in Folder Options is to only launch one instance).

Any suggestions?

 

[Brink]

Hello Tanger, and welcome to Seven Forums.

This is normal with both the Windows Explorer and Computer pinned to the taskbar together. I have added a note box at the top of the tutorial to help explain this better.

This is so that you can easily open as many Computer windows as you like by just clicking on the Computer taskbar icon for how many you want opened.

 

[TrojanHorse27]

I was able to create the icon but unable to pin on the task bar please help what can be done

 

[Brink]

Hello TrojanHorse27,

Do you already have another "Computer" icon pinned on the taskbar?

Have you tried the other target locations in step 3 OPTION TWO to see if one may work better for you?

When you right click on the "Computer" shortcut, do you have a "Pin to Taskbar" option?

 

[TrojanHorse27]

Hi Brink,

When i create a My Computer Icon i cant pin to task bar
and dont have a option When i right click on the "Computer" shortcut, do you have a "Pin to Taskbar

 

[Brink]

Yes, you should have a "Pin to Taskbar" or "Unpin from Taskbar" option when you right click on this "Computer" shortcut. You might check by using the tutorials below to add it back and see if that may help. They only restore the default settings, so it will not hurt anything.

Could you also post a screenshot showing what you see when you right click on the Computer shortcut to see if that may reveal anything?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/196235-pin-taskbar-add-remove-context-menu-windows-7-a.html

and

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/127968-pin-taskbar-pin-start-menu-missing-context-menu-fix.html

 

[TrojanHorse27]

Thanks m8

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.

 

[mangoh]

You're most welcome.

Hey in step 3 when manually entering the path it would be far better to use:

"explorer.exe ,0"

Take note of the space used as well.

I'm saying this because I tried the path you suggested and compared it to the one above in this post and when opening "my computer"

The path in this post opened the window a bit faster.

Try it yourself if you want.

Edit: Tried again and indeed I think I'm right on this one. The blue icon loading bar doesn't quickly flash for me either when using the path I suggested.

Great tutorial btw but any improvement is worth it, surely?

After all it would be pointless having us

 

[Brink]

Hello Mangoh,

Thank you for the addition. I'm not sure if I noticed any difference in how fast it opens compared to the others, but I added it as another option.

 

[mangoh]

Hello Mangoh,

Thank you for the addition. I'm not sure if I noticed any difference in how fast it opens compared to the others, but I added it as another option.

Cheers.

It's easier to add to the field anyways.

 

[nooruddin76]

Easily Dooable .. Works ..thanks Shawn !!!