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March 9, 2007
Tidying Up Your Quick Launch Toolbar, Part 2
Dear Larry,
Thank you for your column a few weeks back that described
how to turn on the Quick Launch Toolbar. Can you also explain how to customize
the location and appearance of this Toolbar?
S. S.
Dear S. S.,
Last week’s column discussed how to control the positioning of
the Quick Launch Toolbar on the taskbar. In this column, we’ll talk about
controlling which icons will appear in the Toolbar. (If you’re planning to toy
with your Quick Launch Toolbar, I recommend you read last week’s column first at
www.accentoncomputers.com/LogOn/2007/20070302.htm.)
For those readers who aren’t up to speed on this conversation,
the Quick Launch Toolbar is a little row of icons you can embed in your Windows
taskbar at the bottom of the screen. You can then easily start a program by
clicking an icon in this Toolbar.
To create your own Quick Launch Toolbar, right-click a blank
portion of the taskbar, left-click Toolbars, and then left-click Quick Launch if
there’s no checkmark beside it (if there is, it means your Toolbar is already
activated).
You’ll immediately notice that the Quick Launch Toolbar
probably contains some icons for programs that you don’t really feel you need.
Software publishers love to place icons for their wares in your Toolbar, often
without asking for your permission. A good example of this is Apple and its iPod
software which insists on inserting a QuickTime icon—something you can surely do
without—in your Toolbar every time the software is installed or updated.
You’ll also notice that one of the icons in the Toolbar
displays “Show Desktop” when you hover your mouse over it. This is probably a
good icon to keep on the Toolbar; should you ever decide that you need to get
back to the Windows desktop regardless of what you’re doing, you’ll be able to
click the Show Desktop icon and have it automatically minimize all open windows.
To delete an icon from the Toolbar, right-click it, then
left-click Delete. Adding an icon to the Quick Launch bar is just as easy.
Simply drag an icon from your desktop or your Start menu on top of the Toolbar.
As you keep your finger on your left mouse button, you’ll notice a black
vertical line appear on the Toolbar; this indicates where the new icon will
appear when you let go of your mouse button. By the way, should you later decide
to rearrange the icons on the Toolbar, you need only click and drag an icon left
or right on the Toolbar to reposition it.
Once you’ve finished adding and deleting icons, you may see a
double-headed arrow appear on the right edge of your Quick Launch Toolbar. This
means the Toolbar has grown too long for the space you’ve allotted it on the
taskbar. Either click the double-headed arrow to see the hidden icons or follow
the instructions in last week’s column to make more room available for the
Toolbar.
It’s Tool Time again!
This is Larry Schneider, logging off.
