An area of the taskbar that contains shortcuts to frequently-used programs is located to the right of the Start button on the taskbar. (Figure 1a & b). To launch a program from the quick launch tool bar only requires one mouse click on its Icon.

Figure 1a.Vista Taskbar

Figure 1b. Windows XP Taskbar

1. Right-click an empty area on the taskbar, point to Toolbars, and then click Quick Launch (Figure 2.).
2. A check mark will appear, indicating that the Quick Launch toolbar is visible on the taskbar.

Figure 2. Opening the Quick Launch Toolbar

To add a program shortcut from the desktop to the Quick Launch toolbar, locate the program icon you want to add, and click and then drag it to the Quick Launch toolbar. When you see a black vertical bar drops it into the toolbar.

To move a program short cut from the “All Programs” do the following:

• Vista : Right click the program and select “Add to Quick Launch” (Figure 3)..
• Windows XP: Right Click the program and select “Create Shortcut” (Figure 4). Open up All Programs again and you will see a shortcut of the program at the end of the program list, designated with a (2) See Figure 5. Click and drag this shortcut to the Desktop. Then drag it from the desktop to the Quick Launch Toolbar.

Figure 3. Vista Create Shortcut from All Programs menu.

Figure 4. Windows XP Create Shortcut from the All Program menu.

Figure 5. Windows XP move Shortcut from the All Program menu to the Desktop.

Taskbar Notes!!! You can hide the taskbar to create more space. If you don't see the taskbar anywhere on the screen, it might be hidden.

 To show the taskbar

If the taskbar is hidden, point to where you last saw it to show it again. If you can't remember where you last saw it, try pointing to the bottom of the screen first, and then to the side or top of the screen, if necessary. You might need to move the pointer almost off the screen to show the taskbar.

 To hide the taskbar

1. Click to open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties.
2. Clear the Lock the taskbar check box.
3. Select the Auto-hide the taskbar check box.

The taskbar is hidden from view. You can see it again by pointing to the place where you last saw it.

 To turn off auto-hide

1. Click to open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties.
2. Clear the Auto-hide the taskbar check box.