Access Your Desktop Files, Internet Favorites, Folders, and Websites from the Windows Taskbar [How To]

By Rich on March 23, 2012 Comments Off

If you want quick access to the items on your desktop, any website, or you Internet Explorer favorites, you can add them to your Windows taskbar. Learn, in this guide how to add these toolbars and how to create a custom toolbar.

To enable the Desktop, Address, or Links toolbars on the Windows Taskbar, right click a blank space on the Taskbar and click Toolbars > Desktop (or Address or Links)

How to Use the Address Bar

The address bar placed in the Taskbar is the same as the address bar used in both Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of the address bar:

To launch a website, simply type in the address of the page:

i.e. enter www.mintywhite.com or http://www.mintywhite.com

To open a folder, type the path to the folder or its common name

i.e. enter C:\Windows or My Documents or Recycle Bin

To open a network location, type the server name/address and share name

i.e.: enter \\SERVER-NAME\share or \\SERVER-IP\share:

How to Add a Custom Folder Toolbar

Adding a custom folder toolbar is easy. To add a toolbar:

1. Right click a blank space on the toolbar

2. Click Toolbars > New toolbar…

3. Navigate to the folder required and click Select Folder

Now you’ll have access to your favorite folders and files right from the taskbar:

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix the problems he creates.

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