How to Create a Desktop Icon on the Windows Bar

Windows Bar, more commonly known as the Quick Launch Bar, is a tool located on your desktop. The Windows Bar helps you access programs quicker than you would be able to by double-clicking on their icons in Windows start menu or through your program folder. This toolbar will display three program icons of your choice, as well as an extension symbol for more icons. All of these programs will open with one click. Windows 98SE has this feature as an add-on install, but Windows XP and later versions of Windows use this function as a toggled option.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Enable your Quick Launch Bar by right-clicking on the gray bar at the bottom of the screen and then clicking "Toolbar" and "Quick Launch." This will load the Quick Launch Bar if it is not already enabled.

2. Locate the desktop icon that you want to place on the Quick Launch Bar.

3. Hold down the left mouse button on the desktop icon that you want to move to the Quick Launch Bar, drag it to the toolbar and drop it into the toolbar by releasing the left mouse button. An icon should then show up on the Quick Launch Bar. You may have to hit the ">>" button if the icon did not land in the first three icon spaces. Move it to one of the first three spots by clicking and dragging it into that space.

4. Test the icon by clicking on it to see if the desired program for the desktop icon opens correctly.

Resources

• Creating Desktop Icons on the Windows Bar