Adding a Toolbar to the Taskbar

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated November 30, 2015)

1

It sounds odd to talk about adding a toolbar to the taskbar, but that is exactly what Windows allows you to do. If you right click on the taskbar, Windows displays a Context menu on which you should click Toolbars. (This option is typically at the very top of the Context menu.) You can then see the various types of toolbars you can add. The toolbars available depend on the version of Windows you are using, but there is a good bet they will include at least some of the following:

  • Address. This toolbar looks just like the address bar in a web browser. Type in an address and Windows opens your browser to display the page.
  • Links. This toolbar is handy for visiting the websites you commonly visit.
  • Tablet PC Input Panel. This toolbar is only of use if you have a touch-screen, as it allows the input of text using a pen or other non-keyboard input device.
  • Desktop. Displays the desktop when things get cluttered and you cannot see the desktop.

In addition, some applications (such as iTunes) may also allow you to add toolbars. If so, you'll see them noted in the Context menu. You can also click the New Toolbar option which allows you to navigate to a folder that contains the proper files (presumably put there by an application you installed) that allow the addition of a toolbar.

When you enable a toolbar, it is displayed at the right of the taskbar, just to the left of the notification area. To get rid of a toolbar, simply use the same steps you used to display it. (The display of toolbars on the taskbar is a toggling process—click the option once to display it and a second time to hide it.)

 This tip (12627) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Using the Drawing Grid

One of the lesser-known drawing tools provided in Word is the drawing grid. You can easily turn this feature on and use ...

Discover More

Changing the Footnote Separator

When you print a document that uses footnotes, Word normally places a small line between the end of the document body ...

Discover More

Updating Many Template References

Documents rely on templates. If you change the location of those templates (on purpose or by accident), Word can take a ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Locking and Unlocking the Taskbar

You'll usually want your Taskbar locked, but there are times when it must be unlocked. This tip explains how to lock and ...

Discover More

Choosing an Icon Size for the Taskbar

Choosing an icon size for the taskbar is a quick and simple process. This tip explains how it's done.

Discover More

Hiding the Taskbar when It is Not in Use

Don't like the Taskbar visible on the screen? You can easily hide it when you aren't using it by making just one small ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 9 - 6?

2015-11-30 10:25:59

Henry Noble

Even though Microsoft has hidden the Quick Launch toolbar, it still exists and can be restored. The beauty of Quick Launch is that it holds lots of icons in a small space. In contrast, pinning items to the task bar is crude and inefficient.

There are many online how-to descriptions showing the way to create a New Toolbar, that really is an old toolbar. Here's one:
http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/how-to-add-buttons-to-the-quick-launch-toolbar-in-windows/

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2018 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.