Windows 7 ‘System Launcher’, life without the Start Menu
Posted on 02. Feb, 2009 by Mike Halsey in windows 7
One of the biggest criticisms of Windows 7, especially from myself, has been the inability to pin icons like the control panel, computer and recycle bin to the new taskbar. This meant that Windows 7 was a nasty half-way house between what Microsoft want Windows to become long-term and the old Windows XP way of doing things.
Last week HappyAndyK came to the rescue on the WinVistaClub forum with instructions on how to add the quick launch toolbar back into Windows 7. Onto this you can drag and drop all the remaining icons from the desktop and Start Menu (recycle bin, games, control panel, devices and printers, computer) and I also added search and libraries links.
It all looked a bit messy though with system icons mixed in the same dock with search and organise icons. I was wondering if it was possible to split the quick launch area. I was delighted to discover this is actually quite simple to do. The results can be seen on the screen-grab below (click to view it full-size).
Open an explorer window and navigate to…
%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
You’ll probably need to change the view options so if you do, in the same explorer window press the Alt button on your keyboard and in the View menu temporarily change the settings for Show hidden files… and Hide Protected Operating System files.
In this folder create yourself a new folder that I’ve called System Launch. You’ll need to change the security priveliges on this folder so right click on it and select Properties. Then navigate to the Security tab on the window that appears and you’ll see the Everyone user group selected. Press the Edit button and give this user group full-control. Press Apply then OK.
Now click anywhere in a blank space on the taskbar and select Toolbars and New Toolbar. In the window that appears navigate to…
%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
…if it doesn’t automatically go there. Select your System Launch folder and press the Select Folder button.
Once this new toolbar appears you can unlock the taskbar and drag it to where you want and drag and drop any icons you want in it. You can also right click in it and untick the options Show Text and Show Title and change the icon size from small to large. Note these options won’t appear if the taskbar is locked.
With these options now available on the taskbar there really is no further need for the Start Menu other than to find rarely used programs and to switch the computer off. This is the type of feature that Microsoft should make much easier and simpler to implement. This system only really works on bigger screens but is certainly the way I’ll be using Windows 7 from now on.
it with others, or 
Windows 7 'System Launcher', life without the Start Menu - SuperSite Blog
Feb 2nd, 2009
[...] Halsey creates a "system launcher" for the Windows 7 Beta, which makes the Start Menu even more redundant than it already is. The best news: You can put the [...]
Yipcanjo
Feb 2nd, 2009
Awesome tip! Thanks!!
By the way, how do I make the Recycle Bin icon “large”? I can’t figure that out…
Yipcanjo
Feb 2nd, 2009
Heh. Nevermind. I found it.
With the taskbar still unlocked, right click in the new taskbar folder area (not on the icon itself), choose View from the menu, and select ‘Large Icons’. Lock the taskbar again and you’re golden!
HappyAndyK
Feb 2nd, 2009
What can I say … simply wonderful ! Thanks
Randall C. Kennedy
Feb 2nd, 2009
This is a nice attempt, however, the presence of the toolbar throws-off the vertical spacing of the task bar. Also, the horizontal spacing of the toolbar icons doesn’t match the spacing off the task bar icons (too close together). Overall, it feels “disjointed.” Though functional, it ruins the aesthetics of the new UI look/feel.
BTW, and FWIW, I’ve somehow managed to get Control Panel pinned to my task bar. Not sure how I did it – the shortcut appears in the “ImplicitAppShortcuts” folder under the Quick Launch folder structure in AppData. Might be a pointer in the right direction for pinning other system icons. I’m going to keep poking around to see if I can reproduce it with Computer, Network ,etc.
Anyway, just my $0.02.
RCK
Paul Lloyd Johnson
Feb 2nd, 2009
Why not just use OSX?
CvP
Feb 2nd, 2009
…
this is hardly anything new.
i have been doing this since ancient times (98/ME).
dave
Feb 2nd, 2009
Paul Lloyd Johnson Says:
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Why not just use OSX?
Because some of us need to use a computer not just a toy from toysrus
Harold LLoyd
Feb 2nd, 2009
mac for show, Pc for pro
David
Feb 4th, 2009
Hmmm. Basically, by reenabling the Quick Launch bar, you get back all the same functionality that you’ve always had. The rest of the article about creating a new toolbar is therefore old news. On my Vista system, for instance, I already have my Recycling Bin in the Quick Launch bar (which contains nothing else, and is repositioned next to the system tray). I also created System, User Folders and Applications folders in a C:\Users\xxxx\Toolbars folder and dragged those folders to the left edge to turn each into toolbars, which I arranged one atop the other along the left edge. This gives me access to drives, user folders and app icons. Nothing on my desktop. Windows 7 seems to continue to allow *part* of this process once the Quick Launch is turned back on while also *removing* the ability to create the additional left-edge toolbars and thus cramming everything along one edge.
The New Windows 7 Taskbar « Norwegian Vista
Feb 4th, 2009
[...] off topic: Paul linked to an article by Mike Halsey showing how to add a custom toolbar to the taskbar in order to get additional icons in there, like [...]
Ben
May 11th, 2009
For more taskbar goodness, check out http://www.freelaunchbar.com/ It lets you put folders in the Quick Launch that turn into pop-out menus.
Anti-Mac
Aug 25th, 2009
Why dont you just buy a mac and get over it.
Firstly using this method none of the aero or peek features can be used, kinda defeats the objects as far as im concerned so i would say EPIC FAIL with regards to this pony arse suggestion for mac fan boys.
Mike Halsey
Aug 25th, 2009
All the aero and peek features do indeed work as normal when you do this. It doesn’t hamper Windows 7 in any way.
And I haven’t bought a Mac simply because they don’t offer value for money for the hardware compared to the equivalent cost of PCs. Bummer really ‘cos I might otherwise.
Hack: Windows 7 “System Launcher” « Big Joe’s Blog
Jan 5th, 2010
[...] Mike Halsey just came up with an ingenious way to add system icons like the Control Panel, Recycle Bin, Devices and Printers, and more to the new Windows 7 taskbar, all while keeping them separate from the other icons already docked there. [...]