Quick Launch Toolbar Windows 11 [exclusive] • Best Pick
If your goal is quick access to rather than apps, create a new folder on your desktop and name it exactly this: GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
The , a staple for power users since Windows XP, allowed for a highly customizable area of the taskbar that separated pinned shortcuts from active windows. In Windows 11 , Microsoft officially removed the "Toolbars" menu from the taskbar, making the classic Quick Launch feature natively inaccessible.
: It used tiny icons, allowing dozens of apps to fit in a small area.
When Windows 11 arrived with its centered, floating taskbar, many users assumed the Quick Launch toolbar was gone forever. While Microsoft has effectively buried the feature in the default settings, the code remains. With a bit of effort, you can actually resurrect the classic Quick Launch experience on the modern Windows 11 desktop. quick launch toolbar windows 11
Windows 11 utilizes a Taskbar built on . This new architecture prioritizes:
If you don't want to install software, you can create a "Quick Launch Folder" on your desktop. Right-click Desktop > New > .
If you have been a Windows user for decades, you likely remember the "Quick Launch" toolbar fondly. First introduced in Windows 98 and popularized by Windows XP, it was the small area next to the Start button that housed your most-used shortcuts—Internet Explorer, Outlook, and Show Desktop—one click away. If your goal is quick access to rather
%AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch Eileen's Lounge +1 Would you like instructions on how to install and configure ExplorerPatcher to get the classic taskbar back? AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses Copy Creating a public link... You can now share this thread with others Good response Bad response 13 sites How do I get the Quick Launch bar back in Windows 11? Sep 24, 2025 —
The intended replacement is simply pinning apps to the Taskbar.
Press Win + R , type %appdata%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch , and press Enter. If the folder doesn’t exist, manually create a new folder named Quick Launch in %appdata%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ . When Windows 11 arrived with its centered, floating
Since you cannot simply right-click and "Add Toolbar" anymore, you must use one of these three strategies: 1. The "Pinning" Method (Official)
Microsoft buried Quick Launch, but it still works perfectly in Windows 11. For users who want a lean, no‑preview launcher separate from open apps, this method beats third‑party docks. It takes 2 minutes and feels like coming home.
Right-click the taskbar, select Properties , and ensure "Taskbar style" is set to Windows 10 .
Name it "Shortcuts" and drag your favorite .exe files into it.