How to Restore the Quick Launch Toolbar in Windows 7

A lot of Windows Vista and XP users will find the absence of a Quick Launch toolbar in Windows 7 annoying because you sort of get used to it. It is disabled by default but it only takes a moment to restore it back.

1. Open the “Run” dialog box by pressing [Win] + [R] and type gpedit.msc
2. On the left hand pane, Navigate to User Configuration, Administrative Templates, and Start Menu and Taskbar
3. Double-click on the “Show QuickLaunch on Taskbar” in the right pane. Select Enable, Click on Apply and then press Ok.
4. Right click on Taskbar select Toolbar > New toolbar
5. Navigate to C:\Users\(user name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
6. Select the Folder “Quick Launch” and click on “Select Folder”.

Now You should see Quick Launch Toolbar on Taskbar. To make it look like it would in Windows Vista, right click the taskbar, uncheck “Lock the Taskbar”, and you should see the Quick Launch toolbar, probably to the right. Right-click its divider, clear Show Text and Show Title to minimize the space it takes up. For the true retro look, you can also right-click the bar and select View  Small Icons.

Let us know if these helps. 🙂