Specialized toolbars are available on the taskbar (Figure 2.39 ):
Figure 2.39. Toolbars occupy a lot of taskbar space. Click the >> button that appears at the toolbar's right end to display a menu of items or commands that won't fit on the taskbar.
Address. A text box that accepts any address on the web, on your network, or on your computer. Enter a web address (URL) to launch or activate Internet Explorer (or your default browser); a program name to launch the program; a document name and path to open the document in its associated program (launching the program if necessary); or a folder name to open a Windows Explorer window.Desktop. Links to all desktop shortcuts, so that you don't have to minimize all windows to reach them.Links. Links to Internet Explorer's Favorites folder. You can drag file or web-page shortcuts onto this toolbar or right-click to delete links.Quick Launch. Provides one-click accessmuch quicker than the Start menuto commonly used items. It also lets you minimize all windows to show the desktop. TipsBy default, only Quick Launch is displayed on the taskbar.Address and Links also appear in Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer.The Address toolbar auto-completesthat is, proposes matching entries that you've typed before. You can keep typing, or you can use the down-arrow key to select a match and then press Enter. If you type something that Windows doesn't understand, Windows searches and either finds what you want or displays an error message.Many tasks in this section require an unlocked taskbar. Right-click an empty area on the taskbar. If Lock the Taskbar is checked, uncheck it. To show or hide taskbar toolbars: Right-click an empty area on the taskbar; point to Toolbars; then check or uncheck a name in the submenu to toggle that toolbar (Figure 2.40 ).
Figure 2.40. You can show or hide each toolbar independently of the others.
TipsDrag the vertical rib at the toolbar's left end to resize or move the toolbar. A toolbar dragged onto the desktop can float freely or dock against any screen edge.To create a custom toolbar, right-click an empty area on the taskbar; choose Toolbars > New Toolbar; specify a folder whose contents you want to make into a toolbar; then click OK. Sadly, this toolbar vanishes when you close it or log off; you repeat the New Toolbar process to get it back.To create a custom toolbar quickly, drag a folder to the edge of the desktop and drop it. To customize a taskbar toolbar: Right-click an empty area on the toolbar; then choose one of these commands at the top of the shortcut menu (Figure 2.41 ):
Figure 2.41. The Open Folder command works with only the Links and Quick Launch toolbars (and with custom toolbars created with Toolbars > New Toolbar).
View. Shows large (double-size) or small (default) toolbar icons.Open Folder. Opens the folder that the toolbar represents. Adding, changing, and deleting shortcuts in the folder is easier than manipulating the toolbar's small icons.Show Text. Displays a text label next to each toolbar icon, which takes a lot of space. This feature is on by default for Links but not for Quick Launch.Show Title. Shows the toolbar namegenerally a waste of space except as an extra empty area for right-clicking or dragging.Close Toolbar. Closes the toolbar. TipsQuick Launch begins with three Microsoft-supplied buttons (Figure 2.42 ). You can add buttons for instant access to favorite programs and documents or delete buttons that you don't need.Click Show Desktop a second time to restore all windows to their original positions.You can press Windows logo key+D once to show the desktop and twice to restore windows.
Figure 2.42. The left button launches Internet Explorer (Chapter 13). The Show Desktop button (center) minimizes all windows to make the desktop visible. The right button launches Windows Media Player (Chapter 10).
To add a button to Quick Launch: 1. Locate the item (icon) that you want to add, and drag it over the toolbar.When the icon hovers over the toolbar, a black I-bar appears where it will land.2. Drop the icon where you want it (Figure 2.43 ).
Figure 2.43. When you drag over the Quick Launch bar, a vertical black line will appear to show where the item will land when it's dropped.
TipsYou can add almost any item to Quick Launch: a program, document, folder, disk, hardware device, Control Panel program, and so on.Drag buttons within the toolbar to reorder them. To delete a button from Quick Launch: 1. Right-click the button; then choose Delete.2. If a confirmation message box appears, click Yes. TipsDeleting a shortcut doesn't remove the file that it represents.You can drag an unwanted button from the toolbar to the Recycle Bin.Don't delete the Show Desktop button; it's a command, not a shortcut. If you delete it accidentally, go to http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=190355, "How to Re-Create the Show Desktop Icon on Quick Launch Toolbar."