One-click Access to Frequently-Used Programs, Files and Folders
by Glenn Richards, Emeritus Member of the Lake-Sumter Computer Society, Leesburg, FL
grich32(at)yahoo.com
 www.lscs.us

There are certain files, folders, programs, and websites I access frequently during the day.  To make this easy I create shortcuts to them in my Quick Launch toolbar that I keep normally hidden on the left side of my Desktop.  Moving the mouse cursor to the left side of the screen unhides the toolbar, and a single left-click opens the shortcut.

Every entry in the list at the left is a shortcut, so any can be deleted without loss of the underlying program or file.  However, Internet shortcuts like YQ will be deleted if the icon is deleted (but I keep a copy of it in my Favorites folder).

The one thing that takes getting used to is that sweeping the mouse cursor to the left edge of the screen may unhide the toolbar, thereby obscuring icons on the Desktop or menu choices on a window.  This is just a matter of not letting the sharp point of the cursor get too close to the edge of the Desktop window.

Since this toolbar auto-hides, it does not take up any Desktop space.  When unhidden, by moving the mouse cursor to its position, it moves out over icons at the left edge of the screen, and does not force those icons to shift over.

To start the QL Toolbar right-click an empty spot on the Taskbar, Toolbars, Quick Launch.  Make sure the Taskbar is not locked (right-click the Taskbar to see).  Move the mouse cursor to the “Handle” at the left end of the QL toolbar to result in the double-pointed arrow), press and hold the left mouse button, drag to the left edge of the screen, and release the mouse button.  Drag the edges of the resulting toolbar to the shape shown.  Right-click an empty spot on the toolbar and click “Always on top” and “Auto-Hide”.  Other right-clicks on this toolbar can lead to other options (I am using large icons and no text).

I have created my own icons for many of the choices so I can identify the functions from just the icon – but that is another story.

To add a shortcut to this QL toolbar, right-click the toolbar, uncheck Auto-Hide.  Then right-drag a program, file, or other choice to the toolbar so a dark horizontal bar appears, release the mouse button, click “Create Shortcut Here.”  The icon can be dragged up or down the toolbar to whatever position you like.  Once added, right-click the toolbar again and hide it.

There is no restriction against any non-profit group using this article as long as it is kept in context with proper credit given the author.  The Editorial Committee of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG), an international organization of which this group is a member, brings this article to you.

                                       

Internet Explorer.

Stock quotes from Yahoo.
Netscape Mail.

ISP  (dial-up).

NewsLetter working copy.

LSCS Roster.
Newsletter Distribution List.

A “Diary”.

Utilities folder.

Data folder.

Archives folder.

Newsletters folder.

Quick View Plus.

eCleaner.

Notepad.

my Favorites folder.

IrfanView graphic file viewer.
SnagIt.

Alarm Clock.

Freecell.
Spider Solitaire.
System Shutdown.