Windows 8 - How to put internet link in taskbar?

SciNeT · 18 Mar 2014 at 13:20

Hi

In my current Win XP setup I have a shortcut in the taskbar to go directly to "My Ebay" and trying to achieve the same on my Win 8.1 laptop - the Win 8 taskbar won't accept the shortcut seemingly, and right clicking the shortcut doesn't display the, "Pin to taskbar" option.

I have managed to drag it to the desktop OK but not the taskbar, can it be done?

SciNeT · 18 Mar 2014 at 13:27

This is the XP taskbar, Ebay shortcut is 4th from right, it's simply a link :

SciNeT · 18 Mar 2014 at 14:01

Ahh, yes, that has worked. The icon is smaller than the others (golden circle far right) but at least it's available. Thanks.

SciNeT · 18 Mar 2014 at 14:37

Hmm, same problem linking a notepad text document, it won't go in the main taskbar again.. It will go into the "Links" toolbar but then I get a pop up box, "Open File - Security warning" requiring more clicking... Sorta defeats the point of the single click super quick access taskbar.

Is the Win 8 main taskbar really only for programs now?

SciNeT · 18 Mar 2014 at 15:22

I've just tried pinning the shortcut to the Chrome icon and it does work although it requires an initial right click, then pointer selection of required link from the menu, then a left click to select & go, I'm trying to get the super fluid single click action like XP but thanks for the tip.

I'll have a play with the Start Screen option too but the Taskbar on my XP machine is always visible whatever I have going on on screen and offers lightning fast access to the things I require 90% of the time, struggling a bit to replicate this liquidity in Win 8 at the moment.

Cheers for advice.

SciNeT · 18 Mar 2014 at 15:44

Gahh! Also just noticed as more & more stuff is opened in Win8, it places those program tabs and document tabs inside the Taskbar squashing everything up behind the "links" toolbar, XP puts open program tabs & document tabs to the right of the taskbar leaving it clear for use..

Win8, there another 5 things open here non visible :

And XP :

SciNeT · 19 Mar 2014 at 14:38

Thanks for all the tips guys and the Win+X Menu editor link, I'll certainly give that a try.

SciNeT · 20 Mar 2014 at 20:25

Ahh! Solved it. Apparently the super slick toolbar/taskbar that I am loving in XP is called the, "Quick Launch" toolbar, this is not enabled or even in the list of available toolbars in Win 8 when right clicking the taskbar but is in the system, it's here :

Right click taskbar and select, "New Toolbar"

Navigate to :

C:\Users\<Your Username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer" and select the "Quick Launch" folder

The old quick launch toolbar is now back, every shortcut can be dragged into it without complication, internet links, links to oft used word documents, shortcuts to programs etc and it doesn't get filled up with open program tabs/files tabs etc, these go outside of the quick launch toolbar. And everything is light speed single click access, no faffing. Also the, "Show Desktop" icon returns.

Quick launch toolbar far left :