How to get Quick Launch back in Vista/Windows 7

Do you remember the quick launch menu which you had in Windows XP ? I remember it and I always found it very useful. Alot of people reacted to the...

Do you remember the quick launch menu which you had in Windows XP ? I remember it and I always found it very useful. Alot of people reacted to the fact that Microsoft decided to “remove” it in Windows Vista and also in Windows 7 and I was one of them. Fortunately I very quickly found a way to get it back. They’ve just hidden it a bit. I’ll show you how here.

Step #1
right-click your start menu so you get the menu like below

Step #2
Go to Toolbars and go to “New toolbar…”

Step #3
In the dialogue box, browse to: C:\Users\<your username>\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\. Once inside, select the Quick Launch folder, click OK.

Tip: If you can’t see the folders inside C:\Users\ you probably doesn’t have “Show hidden files and folders” on. You can do this by bringing up Windows Explorer (Windows key + E), Choose “Organize” > “Folder and search options” within under the tab “View”.

Step #4
Once done, you’ll notice that next to your system tray there’ll be a small arrow and a text named “Quick Launch”.

Step #5
If you unlock the startbar and right-click it again, you’ll see a menu like below. Click on “Show Text” and “Show title“. Once done you should now have the good old fashioned Quick Launch menu again.

About the Author

Loves to play videogames, fiddling with webdesign and generally anything which is related to technology. Currently works as a IT consultant for Palantir AS, located in Norway.