Windows 7 allows you to pin your favorite programs to Taskbar so that you can access them quickly whenever you want. To pin a program to Taskbar you just need to right-click on its shortcut and select "Pin to Taskbar" option:
Here in this tutorial, we'll learn how to pin various useful system shortcuts like Control Panel, My Computer, Recycle Bin, Programs and Features, etc to Windows 7 Taskbar.
So without wasting any time, here we start the tutorial:
1. First you'll need to create a new shortcut. To do this, right-click on Desktop and select "New -> Shortcut":
2. It'll launch "Create Shortcut" wizard. Now you'll need to enter the command to open desired system shortcut. You can use any of following commands to create the desired shortcut:
explorer shell:MyComputerFolder (for My Computer shortcut)
explorer shell:RecycleBinFolder (for Recycle Bin shortcut)
explorer shell:ControlPanelFolder (for Control Panel shortcut)
explorer shell:Administrative Tools (for Administrative Tools shortcut)
explorer shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder (for Programs and Features shortcut)
explorer shell:NetworkPlacesFolder (for Network shortcut)
explorer shell:Favorites (for Favorites shortcut)
explorer shell:HomegroupFolder (for Homegroup shortcut)
explorer shell:Games (for Games shortcut)
explorer shell:Fonts (for Fonts shortcut)
explorer shell:UserProfiles (for Users folder shortcut)
explorer shell:Profile (for your username folder shortcut)
explorer shell:Public (for Public folder shortcut)
explorer shell:My Documents (for Documents shortcut)
explorer shell:Common Documents (for Public Documents shortcut)
explorer shell:My Music (for Music folder shortcut)
explorer shell:CommonMusic (for Public Music folder shortcut)
explorer shell:My Pictures (for Pictures folder shortcut)
explorer shell:CommonPictures (for Public Pictures folder shortcut)
explorer shell:My Video (for Videos folder shortcut)
explorer shell:CommonVideo (for Public Videos folder shortcut)
explorer shell:Downloads (for Downloads folder shortcut)
explorer shell:CommonDownloads (for Public Downloads folder shortcut)
3. After entering the command, click on "Next" button. Now enter a meaningful name for your new shortcut and click on "Finish" button.
4. It'll create a new shortcut on Desktop:
5. Now its time to change the new shortcut icon. Right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties". Click on "Change Icon" button.
6. Now you can browse and select any desired icon. We'll recommend to use imageres.dll file for selecting new icon as this file contains lots of good looking icons:
7. After selecting the new icon, click on OK and then Apply the changes.
8. Now you just need to pin this new shortcut to Taskbar. You can either drag-n-drop the shortcut to Taskbar or right-click on the shortcut and select "Pin to Taskbar" option:
9. That's it. You can pin as many shortcuts as you want to Taskbar using this tutorial:
This article was posted by VG in following section: Windows 7.
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VG
^^ Copy following code in notepad and save the file as "VG.REG" (including quotes). Run the file and it should enable "Pin to Taskbar" option:
Elisa
Wow. My recycle bin shortcut was accidentally deleted 2 years ago. Files would be sent there, but I could never empty it nor go and retrieve something once it went. The tech department at work said I would have to wipe my computer completely and start from scratch to get it back. A local computer repair company agreed. In less than 5 minutes after finding this site, my recycle bin is back. You are amazing. I am NOT good with computers, but the directions were easy to follow. THANK YOU. Now, if could just figure out how to change the picture to a little trashcan, life would be amazing. But, am taking my blessings where they come. Thanks again.
cosmin
The pin Recycle Bin to taskbar "option" is usless, because i cannot see when Recycle Bin is full and of course i can`t empty it. So whats the point of pinning it to taskbar if we cannot use it ?
thanx.
Chopper
Thanks VG. Clearest and best solution on the web. :-)
William Pastuszka
Hi, Vishal is there a way of pinning the Recycle bin & MyComputer to the Taskbar in Vista? So i can get rid of unnecessary Desktop Shortcuts. I am currently running Vista Ultimate 32 bit with Sp2.
Cheers,
William
VG
^^ No. But you can add them in Quick Launch toolbar.
Deepak
Thanks a lot !
bogas04
can i have the wallpaper used?? The clouds thingy , plz
Paultx
I'm far from my Windows 7 systems now, but can't we just right-click the Recycle bin and use the option Create shortcut on the context menu, like in XP?
TheAslan
How do i pin my maxtor one touch to taskbar too, i created a shortcut to my desktop but there wasn't a chance to pin it to the taskbar.