Quick Launch - Enable or Disable

How to Enable or Disable Quick Launch in Windows 7​

   Information

By default Quick Launch is disabled in Windows 7. This will show you how to enable or disable Quick Launch as a taskbar toolbar using small or large icons in Windows 7.

   Note

Quick Launch is a toolbar on the taskbar. Quick Launch is used to open a program quickly from a shortcut from within it separate from the pinned programs on the taskbar.

The Quick Launch folder is located at the hidden system folder location below to add shortcuts to.

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

   Tip

Microsoft has made available a hotfix that will resolve a problem where the taskbar customizations are lost and reset to defaults when automatic logon is enabled in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. More details are available at FIX: The Taskbar is reset to the default settings when you use the "Automatically Log On" feature in Windows 7 and in Windows Server 2008 R2.



If you still have the issue of where the pinned Quick Launch used in this tutorial disappears on you after logging off and on or restarting the computer, then a workaround for this issue is to either:

• Save your current theme after adding Quick Launch.
• If you have a 32-bit Windows 7, then it has been reported that you may need to turn off UAC if Quick Launch is disappearing on you after every restart.
• Open the hidden Quick Launch folder in the NOTE box above, then right click in the folder and click on New and Shortcut to add a shortcut into Quick Launch instead.
• Create a new folder, copy the shortcuts in the Quick Launch folder above into the new folder, then pin the new folder to the taskbar instead just like the Quick Launch folder here.
• To use a Microsoft hotfix. It is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.
  • Information: FIX: The Taskbar is reset to the default settings when you use the "Automatically Log On" feature in Windows 7 and in Windows Server 2008 R2
  • Download link: Help and Support

EXAMPLE: Default Windows 7 Taskbar

EXAMPLE: Quick Launch Enabled on Right Side of Taskbar
NOTE: This is the new Quick Launch toolbar with text and title, small icons, or large icons.

EXAMPLE: Quick Launch Enabled on Left Side of Taskbar
NOTE: This is the new Quick Launch toolbar without text and title, and with small icons or large icons.

OPTION ONE

To Add Quick Launch to Taskbar

1. Right click on a empty space on the taskbar, then select (hover on) Taskbar and click on New Toolbar. (See screenshot below)

2. In the Folder line, type or copy the location below. (See screenshot below)
%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

3. Click on the Select Folder button. (See screenshot above)

4. You now have a Quick Launch toolbar on the taskbar. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Click on the arrow to see your Quick Launch shortcuts.

5. To Expand the Quick Launch Toolbar
A) Unlock the taskbar.

B) Left click and hold on the dotted separator line just to the left of Quick Launch, then drag it to the left or right to adjust to unhide all of the icons. Release the left click when done. (See screenshot below)

C) Lock the taskbar.
6. To Remove Quick Launch Toolbar Icon Text or Title
A) Unlock the taskbar.

B) Right click on the dotted separator line just to the left of Quick Launch, then uncheck the Show Text and Show Title by clicking on them. (See screenshot below step 5B)

C) Lock the taskbar.
7. To Have Small or Large Icons for Quick Launch Toolbar
A) Unlock the taskbar.

B) Right click on the dotted separator line just to the left of Quick Launch, then click on View and select to have Large Icons or Small Icons. (See screenshot below step 5B)

C) Lock the taskbar.
8. To Have Quick Launch Toolbar on Left Side of Taskbar
A) Unlock the taskbar.

B) Left click and hold on the dotted separator line just to the left of Quick Launch, then drag Quick Launch as far to the left on the taskbar as you are able to and release.

C) If you still have any pinned program icons to the left of Quick Launch, then left click and hold on the dotted separator line just to the left of the icons and hold, and drag it to the right past Quick Launch and release. (See screenshot below)

D) The Quick Launch toolbar is now on the far left side of the taskbar. (See screenshot below)

E) Left click and hold on the dotted separator line for the other icons and drag them left or right to make any adjustments to how you want them placed on the taskbar. (See screenshot above)

F) Lock the taskbar.

OPTION TWO

To Remove Quick Launch from Taskbar

1. Right click on a empty space on the taskbar and click on Toolbars and Quick Launch to uncheck and remove it from the taskbar. (See screenshot below)

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Add Quick Launch to the "Send to" Context Menu in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
• How to Backup and Restore Taskbar Toolbars in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Reset and Clear All Taskbar Toolbars in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Pin or Unpin a Folder to the Windows 7 Taskbar
• How to Pin or Unpin a Program to the Windows 7 Taskbar
• How to Use Small or Large Icons on the Windows 7 Taskbar
• How to Enable or Disable Windows 7 Taskbar Button Grouping
• How to Lock or Unlock the Windows 7 Taskbar
• How to Move the Windows 7 Taskbar Location on the Desktop
• How to Show or Hide the Windows 7 Taskbar with Auto-hide
• How to Center the Taskbar Icons in Windows 7
• How to Create a Internet Website Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Use Toolbars in Windows 7 and Vista
• How to Pin or Unpin a Drive to the Windows 7 Taskbar
• How to Add or Remove a Toolbar on the Taskbar in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable Adding and Removing Taskbar Toolbars in Vista and Windows 7

 

[xJirikx]

Well i have a problem with quick launch. I started system today and the quick launch was away. So i ve switch it on but my order of icons was gone. So i replace them back and after restart quick launch was away again. I switch it on again and it was same. The system somehow cannt remember that Quick launch is on and the order of icons in it Any ideas how to fix it? Thx

 

[Brink]

Hello Jirik, and welcome to Seven Forums.

As a test create a new administrator account and see if Quick Launch works better in it. If it does, then you can copy the contents of the old user account's C:\User\(user-name) folders into the corresponding new account's C:\User\(user-name) folders. After everything checks out, you can then delete the old user account from within the new one.

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

 

[Night Hawk]

I haven't run into anything like that so far. On one occasion one of the new toolbars created here disappeared where a simple browse back to the folder for that when using the new toolbar option simply saw it restored.

For arranging or rearranging icons on any quick launch or other named bar that goes easy as well.

 

[xJirikx]

Hi Brink. I solved it. Because of Ubisoft and their Anno 1404 (RTS with broken loading games) i ve tried to rename my account as they told me. When i renamed it back on the old name quick launch works again. Idk why the quick launch problem started 4 days after i changed the name of my windows account but there is a lot of mysteries around Windows

P.S. sry for my "English"

 

[Brink]

Jirik,

I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted. Thank you for posting back with your results and solution.

 

[Night Hawk]

Glad to hear the news on that one! xJirikx Typical isn't it? Always one little thing!

I find the Quick Launch or any additional toolbar essential when running Windows on the Virtual PC now seen for 7 there since you often lack viewing area with the smaller desktop with everything getting cramped up a bit when you have a lot on there too!

 

[Barefoot]

I've had a question threading through my mind for many a reboot. How did you learn these procedures? I would love to know so that I could learn on my own instead of depending on others. Others helping is a good thing, but I've always wondered. I've poked around under the hood myself over the years, but the good stuff always comes from someone else's talent.

 

[Night Hawk]

Hello Barefoot and welcome to the Se7enforums!

If you browse through the large volume of tutorials here and on the VistaForums Vista Forums pay close attention to who wrote the majority of them to find out who devoted a great deal of time and energy into them! It won't be too hard to figure that one out!

 

[Brink]

I've had a question threading through my mind for many a reboot. How did you learn these procedures? I would love to know so that I could learn on my own instead of depending on others. Others helping is a good thing, but I've always wondered. I've poked around under the hood myself over the years, but the good stuff always comes from someone else's talent.

Hello Barefoot, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I found that the best way was through very good backups and a lot of trial and error, digging, and reading. Pick one item and work with it until you are familiar with it, then move on to the next item and so on and so on.

Don't worry, you'll get there in time and practice. When you have any questions, please post them in the forum. We'll be happy to help as we can.

Shawn

 

[Night Hawk]

I have a better screen here to illustrate how handy having more then toolbar available can be. The other screen posted there only shows one for the host and Virtual PC while this will show how multiple bars are a must when having a system loaded up with all kinds of programs as well as some basic step saving options.

Rather then posting two desktops you'll note the insert to have a better idea since one would cover the other over.

 

[TomL12953]

Thanks for this great tutorial But does anyone know how to add "send to quick launch" under mouse right-click when clicking on file? Must be some registry setting I guess.

This works in Win 7 also:

Send To Context Menu - Vista Forums

 

[Erosvn]

i had proprem with QL: i had add QL for taskbar but i can't see it when i reset PC!!!Why!!thanks

Sorry My English is not good.

 

[Brink]

Hello Erosvn, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Did you do a clean install (format) of Windows 7, or upgraded Vista to Windows 7. If you upgraded, then it may be remnants of Vista messing it up.

 

[Erosvn]

Hello Erosvn, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Did you do a clean install (format) of Windows 7, or upgraded Vista to Windows 7. If you upgraded, then it may be remnants of Vista messing it up.

thanks Brink. no i didn't upgraded vista to windows 7!! i instal win7 pro!!!

 

[Brink]

Erosvn,

You might see if doing a repair install can fix this for you.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Erosvn]

Erosvn,

You might see if doing a repair install can fix this for you.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

ok thanks Brink

 

[Brambo23]

I got the quicklaunch to add to the taskbar fine, I'm trying to find a way to automate that without having to go through the steps, like say put this in a troubleshooting pack. I'm curious if there are any registry settings tieing the quicklaunch to the taskbar?

 

[Brink]

I got the quicklaunch to add to the taskbar fine, I'm trying to find a way to automate that without having to go through the steps, like say put this in a troubleshooting pack. I'm curious if there are any registry settings tieing the quicklaunch to the taskbar?

Hello Brambo,

That would be an interesting approach, but I have not found any registry entries tying QL to the taskbar like that yet. Please post back if you do find a way though. It would make a good tutorial for you.

 

[Nikolay]

Thanks a lot. Gives me the feel of XP on 7. It's a nice feeling.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Nikolay.