Karl, a reader from Sandpoint brought up a number of really good points about my article on modifying the Quick Launch Toolbar. In my article, I described how I had discovered a way to modify the Quick Launch Toolbar. But I discovered the hard way to do it and in my excitement, didn’t realize the fact that there’s a much easier way. (Yes, it’s yet more proof that no matter how long you use computers, you never know everything!)
Here are a few of his points on how you can modify the toolbar:
- You don’t have to go to C:WindowsApplication DataMicrosoftInternet ExplorerQuick Launch to add or remove icons on the Quick Launch Toolbar. You can drag and drop shortcuts directly on to the toolbar. Many times people want shortcuts to programs. You can drag and drop them from anywhere in the Start Menu or the desktop. I even was able to drag and drop the Recycle Bin and My Computer onto the toolbar.
- If you want to remove an icon from the toolbar, right-click it and choose Delete from the pop-up menu. Karl calls the right mouse button the "do it to it" action. He says that this term helps people remember that clicking the right mouse button gives them a list of actions that apply to whatever item they happen to be clicking on (desktop icon, toolbar, file and so on).
Another point he brings up which I would never have thought of is that those people who have Active Desktop turned on with single-click (Web style) settings have trouble with instructions that say things like "left click and then press the Delete key." In their case, the item will be opened instead and the delete keystroke will have different effects depending on what they opened. This is another personal blind spot because, as I’ve noted here before, I absolutely detest the Active Desktop and turn it off as soon as I get near any computer I have to use.
Anyway a big thank you to Karl for sharing his experiences. We all benefit when people share their knowledge!