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

 

[mansrm81]

Thanks Shawn would have been nice if it wasn't disable to begin with.

 

[Brink]

Hello mansrm81,

True, but with being able to pin items to the taskbar directly now I'm afraid that it will be a fading feature.

Shawn

 

[natri23]

Before I saw this tut, I had already tried to make a new toolbar with the Folder named Quick Launch. And then after tried this tut, nothing thing happen, the Win just take my Quick Launch folder as it original's one and now whenever I delete it, the Quick Launch disappear too...

 

[garysgold]

Before I saw this tut, I had already tried to make a new toolbar with the Folder named Quick Launch. And then after tried this tut, nothing thing happen, the Win just take my Quick Launch folder as it original's one and now whenever I delete it, the Quick Launch disappear too...

Same here. Moved the folder I created, log off/on, still no quicklaunch bar. Oh well, just put the folder in documents or wherever and create a new toolbar. Doesn't matter what it's called as long as I can drop files on the shortcut icon and have the program open with the files already opened. Can't do that with the icons pinned to the task bar. I've sent feedback about this. Would be nice to be able to drop files on the pinned icons and have the program open instead of just pinning the files to the list IMHO.

Gary

 

[Brink]

Hi Natri and Gary,

Were you guys able to get your Quick Launch working?

 

[davehc]

Fwiw. Hi Brink. According to Microsoft, the whole of the new taskbar is now merged into the quick launch. There is no need for a hack. Works for me!
Quote from the Microsoft Engineers:
"If one increases the size of Quick Launch, one must then determine what to do with the taskband. As previously discussed, we observed that under many scenarios of single-instance programs, launching and switching were equivalent. Hence, we decided to standardize this behavior and have program launchers turn into window switchers when they are launched. Effectively, we unified Quick Launch and the taskband. While some other operating systems have similar concepts, one difference with our approach is that our default experience always optimizes for a single representation on the taskbar. This means that regardless of a window’s state (e.g. minimized, maximized or restored) there are no new or duplicate buttons created. Also, the default taskbar doesn’t allow destinations to be pinned to the top-level which prevents duplication of a pinned file and a running window with that same file open. When we say there is “one button to rule them all” we’re serious. This approach to a single, unified button keeps the taskbar uncluttered and gives the person a single place to find what she’s looking for."

 

[Brink]

Yes, I agree Dave. I just added this for those that would still like to have a separate Quick Launch area anyway.

 

[natri23]

We still have the Quick Launch working but actually it is a folder on my computer rather than the original one of Win7

 

[Kika]

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.

 

[Mark]

Don't know if anyone wants them but here are the short cuts to add to your quick launch for Show desktop and Switch between windows, I coppied them from Vista and they work fine.

View attachment Show desktop.zip

 

[Kika]

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.

Here, if anyone else wants to add it:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articl...Launch-context-menu-option-in-Windows-XP.html
It's for XP but did work with Windows 7, I just tested on my system

 

[Dvorak]

The missing quick launch is not the problem for me it the icons moving around when you don't have the buttons in combined mode

 

[ChemKneazle]

The absence of Quick Launch in the taskbar was the #1 thing that made me uninstall Windows 7 the first time I installed it. Even after trying methods 1 and 2 of this tutorial (the 3rd method didn't work for me since I couldn't get the icons to show up in front of the "pinned" items on the taskbar or open windows, which is the only acceptable place for my QL to go - not to mention the whole space-eating folder name also showing up down there.) I still couldn't get it to show up in my taskbar properly.

I installed Windows 7 again because I wanted so badly to give it a second chance, but the absence of QL is making me tear my hair out!

Can anyone tell me why the first and second methods don't work for me? I'm using Build 7000.

 

[Brink]

Hello ChemKneazle, and welcome to Seven Forums.

The now removed METHOD ONE and METHOD TWO only worked in builds older than the 7000 one. The method left for the toolbar is the only workaround left out of the three original ones.

Shawn

 

[ChemKneazle]

Wow, that's super-frustrating.

I guess Microsoft REALLY wants to shove the "pinned" icons down our throats, then?

 

[Brink]

Yeah, it looks like pinned icons on the taskbar will be the future with Windows 7.

As for the other questions, you should post them in the appropriate General Discussion and Network & Internet forums for them so this tutorial can stay on topic, and so you can get more replies to them.

 

[davehc]

The subject of the "quick launch" has been around for some years. I am certain that many users think it speeds up the actual launch of a program. This it does not. All it does is provides "quick" access to the .exe file.

 

[Brink]

Hi Dave,

Yep, good point. They are just a shortcut like any other shortcut.

 

[ChemKneazle]

So if I use the one tutorial that's up now, (formerly the 3rd method), does anybody know if it's possible to switch the places of Quick Launch (essentially the 'Toolbar' I just added to the Taskbar) and the main Taskbar items (including pinned items and open windows), putting the QL 'Toolbar' in front of that one? Back where it's supposed to be? Or is that impossible?

~~~~~

Don't worry, I realize the name "Quick Launch" is a misnomer.

Honestly, the only reason I use it is because there are so many programs I use on such a regular basis that I love having all the shortcuts down there on my taskbar. I use it purely for convenience and out of habit.

And I don't have shortcuts on my desktop because I like to have as few icons as possible on my desktop. Ideally, I wish I only had MyComputer and the Recycle Bin, but I'm not yet that disciplined. And I don't use the Start Menu for frequently-used programs because...well...I just don't.

LoL