How to Add a New File Icon to the Internet Explorer Toolbar

Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer both come with plenty of built-in functions for manipulating the content of its many toolbars. You can easily add file icons to the Explorer Quick Launch toolbar, add links to the Internet Explorer "Favorites" toolbar, or add options to the Internet Explorer options toolbar. No matter what in particular you're looking to do, achieving it is probably simple once you know the steps to take.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Add a File Icon to the Quick Launch Explorer Toolbar

1. Locate the file you'd like to add to the toolbar.

2. Right-click on the file and select "Add to Quick Launch." Alternately, if you don't see that option, you can click and drag the file icon to the Quick Launch toolbar, which appears by default on the bottom toolbar right next to the Start menu.

3. Make sure the icon now appears in the Quick Launch toolbar. Sometimes the toolbar "overflows," so not all icons are visible; if this is the case, a small arrow will appear on the side of the toolbar that you can click on to see the rest of the icons.

Add Option Icons to the Internet Explorer Toolbar

4. Open Internet Explorer.

5. Right-click on toolbar with the "Tools" option on it, click on "Customize Command Bar," and then select "Add or Remove Commands." (If you are using Internet Explorer 6 or earlier, instead, click on "View," then "Toolbars," then "Customize.")

6. Add new options from the box on the right to the box on the left by selecting the option and pressing "Add." When you're done, press "Close."

Add Web Links to the Internet Explorer Favorites Toolbar

7. Open Internet Explorer and press the ALT button.

8. Click on "View" in the top menu, select "Toolbars," and then click on "Links." A new toolbar labeled "Links" will appear.

9. Go to the website you'd like to add to the toolbar.

10. Click on the file icon that appears next to the address of the website in the address bar and drag it onto the links toolbar.

Tips & Warnings

• In general, if you're trying to add an icon to a specific area, or move one file to another place in Windows, just try clicking on the icon and dragging it to wherever you want. This works more often than you might expect.

References

• Microsoft
• Productivity Portfolio