How do I create a folder toolbar with an icon instead of text?

[SHolmes]

Hi everyone,

I have a folder full of icons on my desktop, and I would like to pin this to my taskbar. I don't want to pin it as an icon that opens the folder when I click on it, but instead I want it pinned as a toolbar, so that when I click it, a menu pops up with all the icons on it and I can choose the one I want (if all that makes sense).

I created a new toolbar from the folder, but this creates a toolbar with a text title. If I go into the toolbar properties and switch off the text, the toolbar then shows some of the icons inside, which I don't want. Is it possible to create a toolbar that has an icon instead of a text title?

 

[Jo6Pak]

perhaps not exactly what you want, but may work for you. have a look at this tutorial:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/50438-taskbar-separate-pinned-programs.html?filter

 

[SHolmes]

Jo6Pak - Tried it, and it wasn't what I was looking for. Thanks for your suggestion anyway.

 

[mitchell65]

OK I think I have the answer for you.
Delete the new toolbar you have made.
First off you need to create an icon. Select an image that you want as an icon for your new toolbar. Then go to:
Free Online Favicon.ico Icon Generator | Convert Image to ICO File
Upload your image then choose size 96 x96
Click create. Choose one the samples and download to the same folder where you are creating the toolbar for>
When done, report back for next easy stage
Just to show it will work here's a screenshot of my new Toolbar with icon and no text!

 

[Thonk98]

I create a desktop toolbar and then drag it to the bottom of my task bar. Then I right click on the tool bar and deselect 'show text' and 'show title'. I end up with a tool bar with all desktop icons that autohides with the taskbar

 

[mitchell65]

But that is not what the OP is trying to do!!!!!

 

[Thonk98]

In rereading the OP I think you are right Mitchell. I guess I'm being proactive and answering questions that haven't been asked yet.

 

[mitchell65]

When the OP comes back \i will complete the method! See my last screenshot!

 

[derekimo]

I create a desktop toolbar and then drag it to the bottom of my task bar. Then I right click on the tool bar and deselect 'show text' and 'show title'. I end up with a tool bar with all desktop icons that autohides with the taskbar

But that is not what the OP is trying to do!!!!!

That is the method to be able to show an icon though, they do need to provide an icon as you suggested.

I have seven toolbars on my taskbar, using icons from the tutorials Brink made.

 

[boohbah]

you could do what i do but its not free, 5 bucks will sort it out though.
i use a software called bins.
http://www.1upindustries.com/bins/
you then pin the programs you want to the taskbar then drag the icons to the bin.

see example


i have 40 unseen icons

i have several bins for different type things. the one that is showing is my office stuff and notepad etc.
you could in theory have 1 bin with all the icons you want and you could have it showing only one icon on the taskbar also.
personally when you get into it its real handy being able to group them.

 

[mitchell65]

Well it doesn't look as if the OP is coming back so i will finish my solution. There are probably other ways to do this but this is the way I do it.
Lets repeat the first part just to put it all together:

First off you need to create an icon. Select an image that you want as an icon for your new toolbar. Then go to:
Free Online Favicon.ico Icon Generator | Convert Image to ICO File
Upload your image then choose size 128 x128
Click create. Choose one the samples and download and save to the same folder that you are creating the toolbar for.
Open that folder just to check you have the ico file in there somewhere.
Now right click in the taskbar and mouse hover on "Toolbars". Then click "New Toolbar"
In the Windows that opens navigate to the folder you want to make the Toolbar for. Select and click "Open"
This should create the toolbar and you should see something like this:

There should be a small column of dots to the left of the Toolbar name. If like in the screenshot above this is not visible, right click on a clear part of the taskbar and uncheck "Lock the Taskbar". You should then see the dots like this:

Now right click on the dotted column and uncheck "Show Text". OK nothing seems to be different. Don't worry just right click the Column again and now uncheck "Show Title". You should now see just the icon. If it looks a bit small like this:

Then right click th dotted column again and this time click "View" and then check "Large Icons".
You should now see something like this:


Now if you wish right click a clear part of the task bar and click "lock the taskbar"

 

[derekimo]

Nice walkthrough John, you can also use 256 x 256 icons as well.

 

[mitchell65]

Nice walkthrough John, you can also use 256 x 256 icons as well.

Thank you Derek. I never know which size to choose when making the icon as the finished item can't be more that about 35px square!

 

[derekimo]

Nice walkthrough John, you can also use 256 x 256 icons as well.

Thank you Derek. I never know which size to choose when making the icon as the finished item can't be more that about 35px square!

You're welcome John, I only know that because that's what Brink supplied in the tutorials.

 

[mitchell65]

That's good enough reason for me