Our favourite tweaks for Microsoft's latest OS
Getting to know Windows 7? Here are 20 ways to get around the interface and make it act the way you want.
Get back the Quick Launch bar
Windows 7's new taskbar functions as a program launcher as well as task switcher.
As a result, the old Quick Launch bar, the area on the left side of the taskbar that contained shortcuts for frequently used programs, has been banished.
However, if you really miss the little applet, you can add it back. Here's how to do it:
- Right-click the taskbar and choose Toolbars > New Toolbar.
- You'll be asked to select a folder for where the new toolbar should live. In the Folder text box at the bottom of the dialog box, enter this text:%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
- After you do that, click Select Folder. A link for the Quick Launch bar will be added to the taskbar. It will be on the right of the taskbar, just to the left of the Notification area.
It's not particularly useful docked all the way to the right with no application icons showing, so we're going to have to do a bit of work on it to make it useful.
- Right-click the taskbar and, in the pop-up menu, remove the check next to 'Lock the taskbar'.
- Now right-click Quick Launch and remove the checks next to Show Text and Show Title.
- Once you've done that, drag the vertical triple dotted line next to the Quick Launch bar to the left until you expose its icons.
To prevent further changes, right-click the taskbar and check Lock the taskbar. You can now use the Quick Launch bar as you could in Windows XP and Vista, including adding icons to it and deleting them.
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See also: 10 must-have downloads for Windows 7
Comments
Lou Ayers said: HelloGreat article - but it glosses over a problem that Ive been having since I installed Win 7 I cannot get Hybernation Ive asked the Microsoft Forum but no one can help Can you
John said: Several of your tips involve using the Group Policy Editor gpeditmscMost of your readers will be using Home versions of Windows which dont come with gpeditmscTheyll just get an error message if they follow your instructions
Peter Stonebridge said: I experienced Windows 7 for all of 7 days and loved it Sadly my ailing computer gave up with a motherboard fault Opinion is divided as to whether Microsoft will allow me to reload Windows 7 into my new computer being despatched shortly or whether they will force me to buy a new copy If they do I will go back to XP3 it must be cheaper A good topical talking point for readers