Computers and Info

Windows 7 Info

Restoring the Quick Launch menu for Windows 7

One thing I really have grown accustomed to is the Quick Launch menu and easily opening multiple Windows Explorer windows across my 2 and 3 monitor setups.

Both of these are noticeably missing in Win7. 

Step 1: Get back the Quick Launch menu

• Right-click the Taskbar, select Toolbars-->New Toolbar.
• In Folder text box copy and paste the following:
      %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
• Right-click the Taskbar, uncheck Lock the Taskbar, and right-click on the new Quick Launch toolbar. Uncheck Show Text and Show Title, click View-->Small Icons
• Drag the toolbar divider all the way to the left of the taskbar to position it next to the Windows Orb, adjust the spacing on the taskbar as necessary
• End result:

Step 2: Add Windows Explorer

•  Click the Orb, then All Programs-->Accessories
• Right-click to select and drag Windows Explorer () to the Quick Launch toolbar, then release
• Select Copy Here from the pop-up menu
• Right-click the Windows Explorer icon (), then click Properties
• Add the following to the end of the command in Target:     /e,
• The command should look like this:  %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e,

• Click OK
• Now, when you click on the Windows Explorer icon you'll see this:

        Screenshot courtesy of Virtual PC 2007 and MWSnap

• Best of all, you can keep clicking the Windows Explorer icon and get new Windows Explorer windows

questions, comments, etc     

Page last updated: 03/17/2009 20:18:52