How to Access Common Programs and Recently Used Files in Windows 7

If you’re used to Windows XP or Vista, you’ve probably come across the Quick Launch toolbar, a small section of your taskbar where you can add shortcuts to your favorite programs.

In Windows 7, however, the Quick Launch feature is conspicuously absent.  Where exactly did it go?

In fact, it’s right in front of your eyes.  The whole taskbar in Windows 7 serves as one big “Quick Launch” area, thanks to the introduction of Jump Lists.  Jump Lists associate your recent files with the programs that were used to create them, giving you easier and faster access than ever before.  This tutorial will show you how to pin your favorite programs to the taskbar and easily select the recent files you want to open.



To pin a program to your taskbar:
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Click the Start button and navigate to the shortcut for the program you want.  Right-click on the program title and then click “Pin to Taskbar.”  (Alternatively, you can simply drag the title of the program to the taskbar.)  The program’s icon will be pinned, allowing you to launch the program with a single click at any time.

Figure 1.  The right-click menu for WordPad in the Windows 7 Start menu.

To access your recent files and documents:
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After pinning the program to the taskbar, simply right-click on the program’s icon.  Immediately you'll see the Jump List—a list of recently-created files specific to that program.  From there, it's just one click to open and edit your file.

If you loved the Quick Launch feature of past Windows versions, have no fear!  The convenience has been carried over to Windows 7 in a much more sleek, sophisticated and accessible way.



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