If you’re like me, upon using Windows 7 for the first time, you were actively impressed by all of the new features Windows 7 has to offer, from the new aesthetically more pleasing interface to the more functional improvements such as window docking and the versatile gadgets toolbar.  However in my case, after all the excitement faded away and I was simply trying to customize my desktop again, I realized that my Quick Launch toolbar was no more.  Like any network professional technician who runs into an IT related inconvenience I stated, “THAT SUCKS!”  But you don’t have to fret about Quick Launch yet.  Microsoft has only hidden Quick Launch from us.  It is not permanently gone.  Here is how you restore it.

–  Right click on the Windows taskbar > highlight Toolbars > then select New Toolbar

–  In the Folder field area at the bottom of the next window copy or paste the following:  %userprofile%AppDataRoamingMicrosoftInternet ExplorerQuick Launch > Click on Select Folder button

Now you have a new Quick Launch titiled toolbar on your taskbar, now we just have to modify Quick Launch’s appearance, so it looks like it used too.

–  Right click on the taskbar and make sure that “Lock the taskbar” option is unchecked

–  Now you can click and hold on the left dotted line boarder to the left of the title Quick Launch and drag the boarder all the way to the left side of the taskbar.  This will reveal all Quick Launch icons already created.  Go ahead and click and hold on the right dotted line boarder of Quick Launch and drag to the left of the taskbar until your toolbar is the desired size.

–  Right click on the left Quick Launch boarder to display the Quick Launch preferences menu > deselect both Show Text and Show Title

–  Optional:  Now right click the taskbar once again and make sure that “Lock the taskbar” is selected again.

Now your good ole Quick Launch toolbar is back in business like it should be.  Enjoy!